The 2024 Elk Cove Vineyards Estate Pinot Gris shows a pale straw color with a subtle green tint. Its aromas lift from the glass with fresh garden herbs and dried citrus peel. Smooth and mouth-coating on the palate, the wine finishes dry and clean. From one of Oregon’s most respected producers of Pinot Gris, this estate-grown offering is an exceptional match for toro sashimi or a refined selection of Hamachi and Kampachi.
From six-year-old vines, the 2022 Chardonnay Mount Richmond was matured for 12 months in concrete and French oak puncheons. It has alluring aromas of peach, apricot, honey, spice, marshmallow and roasted almonds. Medium-bodied, it has a satiny texture and floods the mouth with spicy flavors. It’s balanced by juicy acidity and has a long, flint-laced finish. 515 cases were made.
The 2020 La Bohème Brut Rosé Sparkling comes from 33-year-old vines and is composed entirely of Pinot Noir picked before the start of the wildfires. Base wines were fermented in stainless steel, and it spent two years en tirage. It has a medium salmon-pink color and open-knit aromas of peach, strawberry, kumquat and wet stone. The palate offers unabashedly fruity flavors softly accented by touches of pastry and brioche. It balances bright freshness with four grams per liter dosage and has a long, flavorful finish. 401 cases were made.
The 2023 Riesling Estate segues from flint and candle smoke to stone fruit, honey and slate aromas. The medium-bodied palate features ripe, tropical, spicy flavors. About eight grams per liter residual sugar balance its linear acidity, and it has a long, textural finish.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Clay Court comes from 29-year-old vines planted in volcanic soil. Matured for 10 months in 30% new French oak, it has inviting aromas of pomegranate, red cherry, holiday spice, potpourri and bitters. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with concentrated, spicy fruit. It’s framed by grainy tannins and fresh acidity and has a long, spicy finish. 729 cases were made.
From vines planted in 1993, the 2023 Pinot Noir Roosevelt has intoxicating scents of raspberry jam, pomegranate juice, rosewater, charcuterie and well-integrated oak spice. The medium-bodied palate is brimming with layer after layer of ripe, spicy, fragrant fruit. It’s balanced by refreshing acidity and has a long, detailed finish.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Goodrich comes from 16-year-old vines. It was fermented with 30% whole clusters and matured for 10 months in 26% new French oak. It has alluring scents of strawberry, orange peel, rose petals, rooibos tea, conifer and bitters. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and spicy with fine, chalky tannins, juicy acidity and a long, detailed finish. 527 cases were made.
A barrel selection, the 2023 Pinot Noir Reserve is bursting with scents of pomegranate, blueberry, rooibos tea, conifer and foresty undertones. Full-bodied, it floods the mouth with layer after layer of spicy fruit. It has a muscular frame of grainy tannins, bright acidity and a long, layered finish.
The 2023 Pinot Noir La Bohème comes from 37-year-old vines planted in marine sedimentary soils. Matured in 28% new French oak, it has alluring scents of raspberry, pomegranate, mushroom powder, tea leaves, lavender and forest floor. The full-bodied palate features highly concentrated, detailed flavors. It’s framed by muscular tannins and bright acidity and has a long, layered finish. It will benefit from time in the cellar. 557 cases were made.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Mount Richmond comes from 14- to 20-year-old vines. Matured for 10 months in 26% new French oak, it has slowly unfurling aromas of red and black cherries and berries, aniseed, tobacco, tea leaves and earth. The full-bodied palate is powerfully styled with concentrated, earth-laced flavors and muscular, grainy tannins. It’s balanced by mouthwatering acidity and has a long, spicy finish.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Five Mountain comes from 27- and 45-year-old vines planted in Laurelwood soils. Matured for 10 months in 20% new French oak, the nose is bursting with wild berries, blood orange, aniseed, damp earth, mushrooms and floral perfume. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and complex with detailed, spicy flavors. It’s structured by silky tannins and refreshing acidity and has a long, layered finish. 729 cases were made.
Fermented in tank, the 2024 Pinot Blanc has crisp aromas of underripe pineapple and quince, kiwi and bread dough. The medium-bodied palate features bright, tropical flavors and a mouth-coating texture. Bright acidity balances five grams of residual sugar, and it has a long, flavorful finish.
The 2023 Pinot Noir is blended from all of Elk Cove’s estate vineyards. Matured for 10 months in 20% new oak, is has expressive scents of red and black cherries, holiday spice, mushrooms and damp earth. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, earthy flavors. It’s structured by silky tannins and bright acidity and has a long, spicy finish.
The 2024 Pinot Gris was blended with 4% Gewürztraminer and 2% Muscat and fermented in stainless steel. It has understated aromas of peach, apricot, bread dough and spice. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated, textural and savory with gently honeyed flavors. Bright acidity balances 3.6 grams of residual sugar, and it has a long, flavorful finish.
Year in, year out, you can always count on this Pinot Gris to deliver quality and refreshment. This year’s model leads with ripe pear, butter cookie and sage aromas, then follows up with pear, peach, orange zest and honeycomb flavors. A lean, crisp mouthfeel and a healthy level of acidity perk things up.