Winemaker Notes
The nose is lively with spiced cherry, dried cranberry, raspberry jam, light cedar, and a hint of white pepper. The palate bursts with fresh, juicy acidity, unfolding layers of cherry cordial, cranberry, and red plums, accented by subtle dried herb undertones. Light, fine tannins are seamlessly integrated, lending structure and elegance to the finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A valley-wide blend of grapes that gives a vibrant, fresh and bright sense of red fruit, balanced by raspberries, black cherries and a rich texture on the palate. Light tannins, fresh acidity and a clean, balanced expression.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Tavola comes from estate vineyards (65%) and purchased fruit. Matured for eight months in 25% new French oak, it has inviting scents of black cherries, blackberries, holiday spices, earth and bitters. The medium-bodied palate is brimming with spicy berry flavors. It’s framed by soft, velvety tannins, and fresh acidity highlights floral perfume on the long finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
A pronounced blackcap raspberry aroma issoon joined by wisps of wet slate and salty black olives.This lighter-bodied wine has an elegant mouthfeel,elevated acidity, and silky tannins. The wine’s flavorsare a mix of ripe strawberries, black pepper, and a touchmore of that black olive quality, suggesting a touch oftapenade.
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Wine Spectator
A spry red, with vibrant cherry and guava flavors that take on accents of cinnamon and forest floor as this persists toward refined tannins.
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.
