Ruby in color. The nose has nice cherries, slight sour note and some spice. On the palate, this is easy drinking. Not a lot of depth. Lighter in style. Not a lot of acidity. OK finish. A very solid wine.
Grade:
B+
Score:
89
Vintage:
2014
2014 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Oregon, USA, Willamette Valley, Wine Review
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Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley: Foods to Pair With, and Meals that Call for, Willamette Valley Pinot
Great Pinot Noir—the Holy Grail of winemakers from France to Australia and the US, and one of the most notoriously difficult grapes to grow. The thin-skinned varietal is susceptible to rot, viruses and diseases and needs a perfectly cool climate and exacting vineyard management to thrive. After the grapes are harvested the winemaker has plenty of decisions to make, including whether or not to fine and filter the wine, how much tannin the final product should have and choosing a precise regimen of oak aging, since Pinot’s delicate flavors can easily be masked by the flavors of wood. It’s easy to make a disappointing, thin-tasting wine from this grape, but really fine Pinot is the stuff of the gods and the combination of ripe fruit and spice flavors, low tannin and high acid make Pinot Noir one of the most food friendly wines in the world.
2008 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review
Vintage:
2008
Score:
92
Grade:
A-
Deep ruby in color. The nose has nice sour cherries, some spice. The palate matches the nose. This is drinking well if not yet at maturity. There is some complexity here as it opens in the glass. Good with a wide variety of foods. Not sure if it will improve but should continue to mature for at least another decade.
Best Oregon Pinot Noir: What Is One Oregon Pinot Noir Worth Seeking Out?
IntoWine recently asked its panel of wine experts to recommend one Oregon pinot noir worth seeking out: Oregon’s Willamette Valley sits at roughly the same latitude as Pinot Noir’s ancestral home—France’s Burgundy region. While there are significant differences between the two regions in terms of soils and topography, the fact is that both are essentially cool climate, slow ripening regions that are ideal for producing flavorful and balanced Pinot Noir. Pinots from Oregon tend to have some of the delicacy and minerality that red Burgundy is known for as well as some of the ripe red fruit most typically found in California Pinot. Their alcohol levels are generally much closer to those of France (13% or so) rather than California (typically 14-15%). Many of them also exhibit a savory aroma reminiscent of forest floor or underbrush, what the French call “sous bois.” For me the most impressive Oregon Pinot Noirs in recent tastings, with wines I rated 92 points or higher, have come from Archery Summit, Belle Pente, Domaine Drouhin, Evening Land, Rex Hill, Roco, Scott Paul and Shea Wine Cellars. The best values among these wonderful examples are the 2009 Belle Pente ($35), the 2010 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard ($40), Scott Paul’s delicious 2010 La Paulée ($32) and Shea Wine Cellars’ 2010 Estate ($40). At an even more affordable price level, look for Coeur de Terre’s $20 2010 Pinot (89 points) and Patton Valley’s $20 2009 “Declassified” (89 points). Richard Jennings, IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder RJonWine.com.
2020 Sineann Pinot Noir "TFL", USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review
Vintage:
2020
Score:
88
Grade:
B+
This is made in 375ml bottles. It is a blend of various Pinot Noir's that are bottled as single vineyard releases. This is of course still a bit young and while good, it seemed lacking a bit compared to prior vintages. Deep garnet in color, clear and bright. The nose has sour cherries and char. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, there is solid sour cherry fruit. Not much in the way of nuances but hopefully as it ages, it also develops more. It would be better with food. Salmon would work well.
Top Ten Oregon Pinot Noirs - 2016
I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.
