From one of the north Willamette Valley’s most consistent producers is this deliciously affordable Pinot Noir, and Patton Valley Vineyard takes its organically farmed program a step further inside the winery by recently becoming a Certified B Corporation. Derek Einberger blended hand-harvested fruit from eight clones off the 25-acre estate west of the town of Patton, marking the first time in many years that their flagship Pinot Noir was made entirely with estate fruit. The 11 months in French oak, just a handful of the barrels being new, shows in the fruit-forward nose of Bing cherry, plump cranberry and blueberry with just a shaving of bittersweet chocolate and touch of toast. It’s nicely balanced and juicy flavors of black cherry and black currant include fleshy blueberry skin tannins, a lick of vanilla and a pinch of spice for a smooth finish. Beyond Oregon, these wines also are distributed in Washington and Idaho.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 1,340 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
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