10 Outstanding Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays
Sleek and vibrant, with crisp cherry and pomegranate flavors that are laced with orange peel and dusky spice notes as this zooms toward the snappy finish.
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93 Points & Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast
Cranberry, blackberry and black cherry ring loud and clear, with appealing wet-stone minerality in the background. The fruit flavors are so front loaded and intense that it’s easy to miss the inherent angularity and overall finesse of the wine. It’s structured and fine-tuned for aging.
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10 Best Oregon Pinot Noirs – Wine Country
“Blueberry, violets, and plum on the nose meet a mineral, flinty undertone. Along with bright tannins, on the palate, the wine has good acidity, plus silky but crunchy fruit.”
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92 Points – Wine Enthusiast
“The Clay Court Vineyard sits atop Parrett Mountain and offers up pie cherry fruit with a backing of tart orange. At first it seems a little thinner than the other 2019 single vineyard selections from Elk Cove, with more lemony citrus flavors. With ample aeration the aromas build and the palate expands nicely with balanced acidity. Some wines need a bit of extra time after bottling and this seems to be one of them.”
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92 Points – Wine Enthusiast
2019 is an excellent vintage for Elk Cove, despite whatever fire-related weather and smoke issues the Willamette Valley was suffering. Perhaps the northwest corner location was spared the smoke; in any event the estate-grown Pinots are fruit-driven, beautifully ripened, clean and textured and immediately delicious. The Mount Richmond adds a touch of leather to its blackberry fruit, along with refreshing minerality and a neat streak of espresso. Trailing out the finish is a note of clean straw. Drink now and through the middle of the decade.
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92 Points & Editors Choice – Wine Enthusiast
Fresh and fragrant in blueberry and blackberry fruit, it’s nicely layered and balanced across the palate. Along with the fresh berries are touches of savory Italian herbs and even a hint of dill. The tannins, though earthy and firm, are ripe and proportionate. This wine is sure to please immediately.
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Year’s Best Chardonnay – 91 Points
“A wine that starts out with a lean herbal scent, like mint and thyme combined, this takes on a caramelly weight with air. It’s substantial, in need of a meal, like roast chicken or duck. 91 points.”
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92 Points & Publisher’s Pick – The Tasting Panel Magazine
“Bright, with high-toned acidity. A light sprinkle of white pepper settles on dusted rose petals, a strawberry patch, and tobacco leaf. Earthy and spicy, with just the right balance of fruit tones to keep it fresh.”
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92 Points – James Suckling
Our 2018 Goodrich Chardonnay was awarded 92 points from James Suckling: “Ripe peaches, mangoes, golden apples, butterscotch and lime curd on the…
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92 Points – James Suckling
“Aromas of fresh earth and ripe, red cherries and plums here with some undergrowth and wild-herb notes. The palate has a smooth, juicy texture with layered, ripe red-cherry flavors…”
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92 Points – James Suckling
“A pretty nose of redcurrants, plums, sour cherries, dried herbs and stones. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Supple and velvety with spicy character. Succulent finish. Drink or hold.”
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93 Points – James Suckling
Aromas of cherries, plums, raspberries and vanilla bean with sweet spices. Medium-bodied with powdery tannins and lively acidity. Racy and textured. Long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
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91 Points – James Suckling
Our 2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has “a ripe nose of raspberries, strawberries, dried flowers and sweet spices. It’s medium-bodied with plush tannins and lively acidity…”
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92 Points – Wine Enthusiast
92 Points and Editors Choice
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90 Points – Wine Enthusiast
“This cool climate wine is tart and pungent and has a touch of the flavor of Sauvignon Blanc, with that same piercing green pepper note. Not that it isn’t sufficiently ripe; it is, and also brings crisp apple and green melon fruit along with some lip-smacking acidity.” – Paul Gregutt
