Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Editors' Choice
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Robert Brittan makes the Ermisch wines, of which the 2011 Pinot Noir Erendira's Rise that I tasted with him represents the second release, source from diverse sites including a smidgeon from Brittan's own property. The Ermisches – who live locally – are owners of wineries in Argentina and Mexico as well as of an import company, Southern Wine Group, focused principally on Latin American wines but also commercializing this one; and they're searching for a Willamette property of their own. Tart-edged red currant and sour cherry make for a highly vintage-typical, bright and sappy palate performance, with hints of baking spices adding to the appeal of a long, vibrant finish. Whether or not this picks up some additional complexity with time in bottle, it will certainly remain a delicious ambassador for its region and vintage over at least the next several years.
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.