Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Lynn Penner-Ash says, "In 2001, the heat units came about the same time they did in 2000. The difference was that there was some moisture in the air at the end of the growing season." The 2001 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is pale to medium garnet in color with a lovely broody nose of bitter chocolate, dusty earth, dried orange peel and old leather over a core of baked red and black cherries plus notes of dried flowers. Light to medium-bodied, the palate moves into full tertiary territory with notes of dark raisins, chocolate-covered black cherries, dried tobacco and tea leaves. The tannins are soft and grainy, and the wonderful tertiary finish is lifted by juicy acidity. Yum! Drink up.
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.