Winemaker Notes
A wine so beautiful, so deeply concentrated, it could make even the most rugged gentleman shed a tear. Sunnyside Vineyard, you magnificent stunner, you've done it again. The aroma? Oh, it's a red fruit symphony, with pomegranate, candied cherry, and seascape strawberries serenading your senses. And, just when you think it can't get any better, in struts a decadent chocolate covered orange carrying a shot of fruit punch, adding both richness and a vibrant lift that would make even a jazz flute jealous. The finish? Why, that's like being cradled in the finely polished grains of rich mahogany—simply legendary.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
From the Sunnyside Vineyard and riper in style for BTF (it remains under 14%), this wine shows opulence that retains its savoury, mineral edge: richly turned soils, dried violets and ripe cherry flesh aromatics. The palate shows real oompf, but it's lifted by notes of rooibos, dried anise and a vibrant, savoury streak of smoky sea salt and dried thyme. The finish leans into clove, ripe strawberries and dried mint leaves.
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Wine Enthusiast
This silky smooth Pinot Noir is the poster child for finesse, beginning with a perfume of blackberries, violets, beeswax and fresh-turned garden soil. Gentle acidity and velvety tannins provide balance, with the wine's flavors of black cherry, black pepper and a savory hint of roasted pork rubbed with cumin. This year's Sunnyside offers a rich texture worth savoring.
Editors' Choice -
Wine Spectator
An elegantly structured version, with sleek cherry and strawberry flavors that take on forest floor and dusky spice accents as this persists toward slightly firm tannins. Drink now through 2032.
Home of some of the planet’s most amazingly elegant and expressive Pinot noir, the Willamette Valley is a pastoral, mixed landscape of green, bucolic rolling hills, dramatic forestlands and small, independent, friendly wine growers. As a leader in environmental stewardship, the valley has some of the nation’s most protective land use policies, with two-thirds of its vineyards farmed sustainably and over half, organically. While the valley claims a cool, continental climate, and is heavily influenced by the cold, moist winds of the Pacific Ocean, its warm and dry summers allow for the steady, even ripening of Pinot noir.
The potential of Willamette Valley Pinot noir continues to attract the investment of serious growers and winemakers both locally and from abroad, as naturally the finished wines bring accolades from professionals and enthusiasts. With a range of styles from delicate dried cherry, raspberry and hibiscus to stronger notes of truffle, mocha, plum and spice, a fine Willamette Valley Pinot noir is a perfect expression of both character and grace.