Dave Chen and Monte Pitt talked about wine during grad school at Northwestern University, but it was more than a decade before these businessmen purchased orchard property near Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, Ore., and began producing Pinot Noir in 1999. This marks Derek Einberger’s first vintage as Patton Valley’s winemaker, and it’s a fresh and fun drink akin to fruit punch with lots of strawberry and raspberry tones. Behind, there’s complexity with crushed hazelnut, roasted coffee, cedar, a pinch of oregano and youthful acidity.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 2,329 cases
Alcohol: 13.2%
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