Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
I like the nose. Ripe fruit, plums, a little bit of spice. Soft, meaty, juicy tannins. And some nice acidity too. I really like the fruit and the balance. Will be amazing with steak.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvee is medium ruby in color with an expressive nose of spicy red fruits and considerable terroir character. On the palate the fruit leans to the dark side of the spectrum with intense black cherry and black raspberry flavors as well as excellent grip, balance, and length. This tasty effort can be enjoyed now but has the stuffing to evolve for 2-3 years.
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Wine Spectator
Pure and focused aromatically, with blueberry, plum, spice and loam aromas leaping from the glass. The firm tannins have bite, but the complex flavors shoot through on the lively finish. Shows depth and grace. Best from 2013 through 2018.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
We have commented before on the virtues of the 2008 vintage with regard to Oregon Pinots, and this pert, keenly focused effort shows off the extra measure of fruit that marks the harvest. Firm, but fleshy with constant themes of ripe cherries from front to back, it stays true to the structured North-western model and looks ready to reward another four or five years in the cellar.
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.