Pinot Noir 115 is one of five clones from the Dijon Experimental Station in France that have been extensively planted in Oregon's Willamette Valley over the past several years. It is seen as a version of Pinot Noir that tends to be a bit less expressive than, say, 113. But that certainly is not the case with this superb example from Erath. This offers intense aromas of fresh … [Read more...] about Erath Winery 2010 Prince Hill 115 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $50
Oregon
Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2011 Sweet Noir Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
This is an unusual little dessert wine, as it's a sweet Pinot Noir that is not fortified. Rather, it's finished with a bit of residual sweetness. It's a pleasant sipper with aromas of orange slices candy, raspberry and violet, followed by ripe flavors of cherry juice, fresh raspberry and a hint of chocolate in the finish. Rating: Excellent Production: 71 cases Alcohol: … [Read more...] about Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2011 Sweet Noir Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
Raptor Ridge Winery 2010 Meredith Mitchell Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville, $38
Susan Meredith and Frank Mitchell own this vineyard planted in 1988 in the McMinnville AVA, a region that is renowned for producing darker and somewhat brooding Pinot Noirs. This example from Raptor Ridge in Newberg opens with what can only be described as Burgundian aromas of minerally earth, saddle leather, forest floor and black truffle. On the palate, it reveals flavors of … [Read more...] about Raptor Ridge Winery 2010 Meredith Mitchell Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville, $38
Erath Winery 2010 Bishop Creek Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $50
Yamhill-Carlton is one of the most interesting AVAs in the six small northern Willamette Valley growing areas. Like nearby AVAs, it is based primarily on elevation. But instead of focusing on a particular landform (such as the Dundee Hills, McMinnville and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs are), Yamhill-Carlton has a low-lying island in the middle that is not in the appellation. Thus, the … [Read more...] about Erath Winery 2010 Bishop Creek Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $50
Erath Winery 2010 Dion Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50
This is a new addition to winemaker Gary Horner's impressive lineup of vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs. The two-decade-old Dion Vineyard is an early ripening site of the northern Willamette Valley. We can see why Horner wanted to single out this wine, as it is one of the finest efforts we've tasted from the challenging 2010 vintage. This opens with complex layers of aromas, … [Read more...] about Erath Winery 2010 Dion Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50