Made from Swan, Wädenswil, Pommard, Calera, Mt. Eden, and 115 clones of Pinot grown in volcanic soil, this comes from the legendary vintner Robert Brittan. It shows a bit of reduction on the nose, on top of cherry, ripe strawberry, and tomato leaf. Stout oak notes. Nice rich fruit on the palate, quickly overtaken by bright acidity and oak. This wine has potential, it just needs some time to integrate. Great one to try in five years and keep for a decade.
Put forth as an homage to the pioneering vignerons of the Willamette Valley, this biodynamically grown Pinot from winemaker Gilles de Domingo shows a deep concentration in the glass. Red and black fruits on the nose, with baking spice, rose petals, and nothing out of place. On the palate, the fruit is accented by a hint of espresso and leather, with a stout tannic frame that ever so slightly outmuscles the fruit. Still, this is an excellent wine bound for a long life in the cellar.
Grown on a LIVE-certified site, this comes from David Paige’s Estate RPG Vineyard, planted on a rolling volcanic slope in the Eola-Amity Hills. It’s got deep, bass-heavy red fruit, with a hint of roasted beets and sweet spice. On the palate, a mouth-coating texture, with a hint of high-toned cranberry, underripe strawberry, and blackberry laced with a dark minerality. Nice stiff tannins hint at a cellar life of 12+ years. Outstanding!
Offering an Italian twist on the French-Willamette connection, Domaine Roy is now aligned with Tuscany’s Frescobaldi family, one of the most iconic winemaking clans in Europe. Comprising Pommard and 667 clones grown in Jory soil, this shows a super-earthy nose, with scorched earth and toffee, reminiscent of hearty reds like Bandol rouge. On the palate, it’s full and supple, with brooding black fruit and a little garrigue. Super stiff tannins on the finish. Fascinating Pinot Noir, it will be fun to see where this ends up. Excellent.
This is a phenomenal wine from winemakers Michael Fay and Erik Kramer. Sourced from Domaine Serene’s Côte Sud (50%) and WillaKenzie Estate (50%), it comprises Chardonnay Clone 76 grown in Jory and Willakenzie soils and harvested beginning Sept. 20, 2024. The wine has a rich yet racy nose of lemon, chalk, crème fraîche, and underripe pineapple. Full on entry, it boasts loads of lush pineapple soaked in lemon juice, with a hint of salted caramel. The full body tapers quickly to a vibrant finish—this is a beautiful Chardonnay that takes the palate on a thrill ride.
Harvested on October 3, this shows a beautiful deep ruby-black color in the glass, which indicates a deep concentration. On the nose, it’s got beautiful florals, with rosehips, ripe cherry, strawberry, peach yogurt, cedar, mushroom, and ripe raspberry. The palate is silky from the outset, with candied strawberry and raspberry, and the barest hint of oak—not as much as the nose would suggest. Super-delicate tannins carry the finish. Should drink nicely for 10+ years.
From winemaker Adam Campbell, this hails in equal parts from the Clay Court and Five Mountain vineyards. The dense appearance in the glass hints at the rich red fruit on the nose: red cherry, baking spice, clove, toasty oak. Silky and smooth on the palate, with nice baked strawberry and raspberry, rhubarb, and a vibrant backbone of acid that carries more of the structural load than the tannins. Drink over the next 8-10 years.
The Pinot grapes in this blend (66%) are from Palmer Creek Vineyard, while the Chardonnay (34%) comes from the Eola Springs Vineyard. From winemakers Anna Matzinger and Jessica Mozeico, this has a nice reductive note on the nose, which underscores the lemon, green apple, and chalk dust. Intriguing salinity too. That reductive note endures over the palate, complementing green apple and lemon meringue flavors. The finish is lasting and super savory.