Tulsa natives debut Darms Lane pinot noir at Philbook Wine Experience
BY SCOTT CHERRY World Scene Writer
Sunday, April 29, 2012
4/29/12 at 4:52 AM
Larry Bump's flirtation with pinot noir recently was realized with the release of Darms Lane Wine's first vintage of that popular varietal.
"When Dad was part owner of Crichton Hall Vineyards, they made some Napa Valley pinot noirs," Bump's daughter, Tricia Bump Davis, said during a phone conversation from California. "Since we bought Crichton Hall (in 2003 and changing the name to Darms Lane in 2005), we have focused on our cabernet sauvignons. Then we added chardonnay in 2009.
"Dad always talked about making a Russian River pinot noir, so with two years of chard under our belts and a strong foundation for our cabs, we felt pretty good about adding a pinot noir."
Bump, a longtime Tulsan retired from the oil pipeline industry, and Bump Davis, who manages the winery, turned to their winemaker, Brian Mox, to search out Russian River Valley grapes. Russian River in Sonoma County is a cooler growing area than the Darms Lane vineyards in Napa Valley and therefore better suited to pinot noir grapes.
"Luckily, Brian had a relationship with the Dutton Ranch, and they said they had a few rows available in the Barron Vineyard in the Green Valley area. We jumped on it. It didn't make a lot of juice, but it was enough for 250 cases, and we just recently had a release party in Yountville (Calif.)."
The Bumps and Mox will be showing it again at the upcoming Philbrook Wine Experience, scheduled next Friday and Saturday.
"We will be pouring the pinot noir, our 2010 chardonnay, which also was just released, and the 2008 Bon Passe Vineyard cabernet sauvignon, which has just been released to Oklahoma," Bump Davis said. "I'm excited about pouring the cab; it got 94 points from Wine Enthusiast."
Darms Lane wines generally retail for $30 to $90 a bottle.
In addition to Bump Davis, sisters Tina Irmakesen and Terry Gilbert assist Darms Lane with sales and marketing.
"I know a lot of Philbrook guests also will want to chat with Brian - he's an amazing winemaker," Bump Davis said. "And I'm looking forward to coming back home."
The Grand Wine Tasting will feature food from 28 area restaurants and caterers and wines from 32 notable wineries, including many with Oklahoma connections, such as Calistoga Cellars, ecoVino, Far Niente/Nickel & Nickel, Honig Vineyard and Joullian Vineyards.
Darms Lane wine notes
Notes from winemaker Brian Mox on the Darms Lane wines to be poured at the Philbrook Wine Experience.
2010 Pinot Noir: "Exhibits wild berry and cappuccino aromas. Fruit forward and mouthwatering, the palate features a mix of dark berries, fresh porcini, bacon hints and touches of tobacco. This wine is full-bodied and complex with a persistent finish."
2008 Bon Passe Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: "Exhibits an expansive nose of blackberries and ripe cherries. In the mouth, the wine is rich and velvety - the tannins are smooth. Layers of pure fruit, mocha and a subtle minerality keep unfolding to an elegant finish."
2010 Chardonnay: "Fresh with inviting notes of honeysuckle and citrus on the nose, the wine exhibits chamomile, Asian pears and shortbread cookie on the palate. The wine is creamy while still balanced with an elegant candied hazelnut finish."
PHILBROOK WINE EXPERIENCE
Where: Philbrook Museum
of Art, 2727 S. Rockford
Road
Friday: Vintner dinner &
auction, 5:30 p.m. For patron
packages, which start
at $2,000 a person, email
Karen Fraser at kfraser@
philbrook.org or call 918-
748-5382.
Saturday: Fleming’s Grand
Wine Tasting, 6:30-9 p.m.
Tickets are $125 for Philbrook
members, $150 for
nonmembers. For tickets,
email Jen McCall at
jmccall@philbrook.org or
call 918-748-5361.
Original Print Headline: Tulsa natives debut new wine
Scott Cherry 918-581-8463
scott.cherry@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Darms Lane's first pinot noir will be poured at Philbrook Wine Experience. Courtesy
Larry Bump, a longtime Tulsan retired from the oil industry, and daughter, Tricia Bump Davis, added a pinot noir to their Darms Lane winery in Napa Valley. Courtesy
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