There are five tiers of Pinot Noir produced from the Mortimers’ 14-acre vineyard at the southeast tip of the Chehalem Mountains near Newberg, Ore. The Équinoxe block hails from the heart of their estate, much of it part of the original planting in 1999 that features Pommard and Dijon clones 667 and 777. A variety of winemakers have developed each tier over the vintages, but Jim Sanders of Aubichon Cellars is the only one to create the Equinoxe, starting in 2006. His 10-month barrel program creates a nose of cherry pie, spiced plum, horehound, forest floor and smoked peppercorns, leading to a palate of warm boysenberry pie and currant with medium tannins and juicy acidity. See about these wines, as well as the Aubichon and Joleté brands, at the Le Cadeau tasting room in Dundee next door to Babica Hen Café and The Inn at Red Hills.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 70 cases
Alcohol: 13%
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