{"title":"J K Carriere Vespidae","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"j-k-carriere-vespidae-pinot-noir-2011","title":"J K Carriere Vespidae Pinot Noir 2011","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJ K Carriere Vespidae Pinot Noir 2011\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 750ml Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and flagship cuvée from Oregon producer J.K. Carriere. Scoring 90 points on Wine-Searcher, this vintage showcases the depth and complexity that earned Vespidae its reputation as the winery's cornerstone blend — a wine Jim Prosser calls his best representation of each harvest year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon  |  Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  |  Vintage: 2011  |  Producer: J.K. Carriere (est. 1999)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Jim Prosser founded J.K. Carriere in 1999, dedicating the estate entirely to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Oregon's Willamette Valley. The Vespidae undergoes wild yeast fermentation — relying on indigenous yeasts rather than commercial strains — and spends 18 months aging in French oak barrels with 20–27% new wood. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving the full texture and aromatic nuance that barrel aging develops. The name \"Vespidae\" — Latin for the wasp family — references Prosser's severe allergy to wasps, insects that have nearly killed him twice; the label features the creature as a personal emblem of resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dried rose petal and fresh strawberry greet the nose first, followed by forest floor and a subtle earthiness. A quiet thread of cherry blossom lifts through the darker, mushroom-like undertones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is soft and red-fruited, with ripe strawberry and raspberry giving way to a dense, complex mid-palate. Dark cherry and pomegranate emerge alongside leather and faint truffle notes, building genuine depth without heaviness. The wine reads light to medium-bodied on the palate yet carries surprising concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish runs long on soft, well-integrated tannins supported by steady acidity. Lingering red fruit, dried earth, and a delicate mushroom character persist as the wine slowly fades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Vespidae Pinot Noir\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe slightly below room temperature, around 58–62°F, and give it 20–30 minutes in the glass to open fully — the unfined, unfiltered character rewards patience. A \u003cstrong\u003eBurgundy-style Coq au Vin cocktail riff\u003c\/strong\u003e (red wine syrup, brandy, and bitters) pairs naturally with the wine's earthy profile. In a \u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir Sangria\u003c\/strong\u003e, the strawberry and cherry aromatics amplify fresh summer fruit. For a simple aperitif, a \u003cstrong\u003ePinot Noir Spritz\u003c\/strong\u003e with sparkling water and a strip of orange peel showcases its lighter, floral side without masking the complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Pinot Noir enthusiast who values small-production Oregon wines\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a multi-course autumn dinner centered on game or mushroom dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding an aged Willamette Valley vintage to a cellar collection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSharing with friends who appreciate wild yeast fermentation and minimal-intervention winemaking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Vespidae Pinot Noir taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It leads with soft strawberry and cherry fruit, then transitions into a layered core of forest floor, leather, pomegranate, and earthy truffle notes. The finish is long, with fine tannins and balanced acidity holding everything together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Vespidae compare to Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are benchmark Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, but Vespidae leans toward a more rustic, terroir-driven style thanks to wild yeast fermentation and its unfined, unfiltered bottling. Domaine Drouhin's house style tends toward a more polished, Burgundian elegance with higher proportions of new French oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Vespidae Pinot Noir good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its medium body, layered aromatics, and soft tannin structure make it an ideal wine for drinking on its own, especially with some air time in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Vespidae Pinot Noir made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Vespidae is produced by J.K. Carriere in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, a region widely regarded as one of the top Pinot Noir-growing areas outside Burgundy. Winemaker Jim Prosser has led production since founding the winery in 1999.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Vespidae Pinot Noir?\u003c\/strong\u003e Roast duck brings out the wine's cherry and earthy qualities. Wild mushroom risotto mirrors its forest floor character. Seared salmon matches its medium weight without overwhelming the fruit. Herb-crusted pork tenderloin complements the subtle spice from French oak aging. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese echoes the wine's nutty, savory undertones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Vespidae Pinot Noir come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Vespidae Pinot Noir worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Vespidae positions as a mid-range Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that punches above its tier, particularly given the wild yeast fermentation, 18 months of French oak aging, and hands-off bottling approach. For drinkers who value artisan winemaking over mass-market consistency, it represents strong value within Oregon Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Vespidae?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2011 vintage of Vespidae represents a mature expression from a winery that has operated with a singular focus on Pinot Noir since its founding. Wild yeast fermentation introduces microbial complexity that commercial yeasts cannot replicate, and the decision to leave the wine unfined and unfiltered preserves a textural honesty often stripped away in more commercially oriented production. With over a decade of bottle age on this vintage, the wine has entered a drinking window where primary fruit and secondary earth and leather notes have fully integrated. For anyone seeking a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that prioritizes site and process over polish, the 2011 Vespidae delivers genuine character.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"J K Carriere Vespidae","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837494390953,"sku":"23934","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/J-K-Carriere-Vespidae-Pinot-Noir__17652.jpg?v=1730484390"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/j-k-carriere-vespidae.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}