By Mike DeSimone and Jeff JenssenMike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
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There is twice as much Pinot Noir as all other grapes combined planted in the state of Oregon. The Willamette Valley leads the charge with over 21,000 acres of vines, confirming it as one of the best areas in the United States to produce this finicky varietal. Burgundian wine families have been putting down roots here for decades, to the point that the valley has been dubbed the Burgundy of the Pacific Northwest. While the flavor profile of Pinot Noir grown in Oregon differs from Burgundy, there are many winemakers who try to emulate the style of the old country and a large percentage do so successfully. More than 80 percent of the Pinot Noir produced in Oregon is made from grapes grown in the Willamette Valley, which is home to over 700 wineries that benefit from a combination of sedimentary and volcanic soils.
On the east side of the state, the Cascade Mountains provide a barrier to the arid, dry climate of eastern Oregon while the Coast Range on the west shelters Willamette River vineyards from frigid Pacific air and pelting rain. The summers are moderate with cool nights that allow for concentration of sugars in the grapes and cooler, sunny autumns provide the perfect weather for harvesting grapes with vivid acidity and complex flavors.
Domaine de Broglie 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir Domaine de Broglie Vineyard, Dundee Hills, Oregon
Domaine de Broglie changed its name to Domaine Lumineux in November 2023, but bottles produced before 2023 are still labeled with the original name. The old name was to honor owner Francis Ford Coppola’s passion for quantum mechanics and the new name continues to honor science, showcasing the relationship between wine and light. This delightful bottle has a bright and luminous red cherry color and aromas of freshly picked red raspberry, Bing cherry, and brown baking spices. It is medium bodied with flavors of red plum, pomegranate, and cranberry with soft, silky tannins.
Cristom Vineyards 2021 Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon
The Gerrie family founded Cristom Vineyards in 1992 and it remains family owned to this day with the winemaking team farming the vineyards using organic and biodynamic principles. Brilliant ruby colored in the glass, this wine offers aromas of blueberry, dried savory herbs, and red plum. It is full bodied in the mid palate with slightly grippy tannins and flavors of cranberry, black cherry, and brown baking spices.
Buy Now: $90
Bergström 2022 Bergström Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Oregon
John Bergström left Sweden and emigrated to Portland, Oregon to pursue a medical education and met his wife Karen there. The two founded Bergström wines and today the winery is run by Josh Bergström, owner, CEO, and director of winemaking who, alongside his team, crafts some amazing wines. The 2022 is bright cherry colored with aromas of Luxardo cherry, smoked charcuterie, and strawberry that transition to flavors of crushed violet petal, smoked bacon, and red raspberry. The tannins are smooth, and the finish goes on and on.
Buy Now: $175
Sequitur 2018 Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon
Etzel and Carey Critchlow’s Sequitur is situated in a clearing of land surrounded on three sides by Douglas Firs, so the vines are protected from harsh elements of climate. Sequitur 2018 Ribbon Ridge is cherry red in the glass with aromas of blue fruits, Bing cherry, and cranberry. It has a strong and grippy tannic structure with flavors of ripe cherry, pomegranate juice, and caramelized orange peel.
Buy Now: $90
Adelsheim 2019 Boulder Bluff Vineyard Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Oregon
David and Ginny Adelsheim founded their eponymous winery in 1971. No stranger to making wine, David’s early experience included working at the Eyrie Vineyards and experimental vineyards at the Lycée Viticole in Burgundy. In 1994 the Adelsheims partnered with Jack and Lynn Loacker who eventually purchased full interest in the winery in 2017. The 2019 Boulder Bluff Vineyard Pinot Noir has an enticing bouquet of cherry cola, dried orange peel, and ripe summer cherry with flavors of pomegranate, red plum, and dried savory herbs. It is full bodied with silky tannins.
Buy Now: $100
Soter Vineyards 2021 Mineral Springs Ranch Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Oregon
Visitors to Soter Vineyards and Mineral Springs Ranch can do a private or semi-private tasting of four of the current release wines or upgrade their experience to a wine tasting that includes a meal made with ingredients and produce sourced from the ranch. The 2021 Pinot Noir will pair perfectly with your meal at home as well. It has aromas of red raspberry, red plum, and black cherry with flavors of cigar box, tobacco leaf, and orange zest. There’s great mouthfeel and just a touch of salinity in the long finish.
Buy Now: $90
Walt 2019 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Oregon
Dick and Dierdre Shea source fruit from several vineyards but their eponymous one is located in the Yamhill-Carlton sub-appellation of Willamette Valley. The winemaking team feel this expanse produces grapes that exemplify classic Oregon terroir. This Pinot Noir is light garnet in color with aromas of strawberry, cinnamon, and pomegranate. It has opulent, voluptuous tannins with flavors of caramelized orange peel, cranberry, and a touch of forest floor in the finish.
Buy Now: $90
Authors
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, also known as the World Wine Guys, are wine, spirits, food, and travel writers, educators, and hosts. They have been featured guests on the Today Show, The Martha…
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Read More On:
- Burgundy
- Oregon
- Pinot Noir
- Willamette Valley
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