2015 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Louise, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

From the Burgundy producers now long established winery in Oregon. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright. The nose is dusty with cherries. Medium bodied. On the palate, black cherries with some cherries and slight earthiness underneath. Nice finish. This is a solid drinking Pinot that is still young and will improve. Hold for another five years and drink for ten after that. Brown sugar, Mustard glazed ham would be a nice match.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2015

The Onset of Southern Oregon

There is a saying that when people think of Oregon, they think of the three “Ps” - Portland, Precipitation and Pinot. Yes, there is rain; yes, Portland is a the largest city in the state, and yes the Willamette Valley, south of Portland, is known for Pinot Noir. But Oregon, specifically Southern Oregon, also excels at under-the-radar grape varieties and has an advantage that no other wine region could ever possess – a climate scientist who knows the best possible sites to plant the right varieties on the right soil under the right conditions.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2016 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$40.00USD

This is from the famed Burgundy producer's Oregon outpost. This seems to be more full throttle than prior vintages but will no doubt calm down with some age. Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has fresh cherries, black cherries and slight pomegranate. There is also a bit of spice and a hint of tea. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this has a lot of cherries, some black cherries with a hint of underlying forest floor. Delicious. Light tannins. This needs another three to five years to get closer to peak, and should drink well for ten to fifteen more after tha

2015 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Louise, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

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2016 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review