The Reserve represents a barrel selection that varies each vintage. In 2021, the blend included Roosevelt, Clay Court, Goodrich, La Bohème and Mount Richmond barrels. Aromas of smoky violets and turned earth unravel this intense Pinot Noir, which needs time in the glass and the bottle to reveal itself. Juicy brambleberry fruits colour the palate alongside savoury dill, red currant and sappy Montmorency cherries. There is ample lift to brighten the dense core of the fruit.
A gorgeously bright and savoury Pinot Noir from this 24-ha parcel in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA is done at 50% whole cluster. It’s got pretty aromatics of savoury dried herbs, fresh mint, evergreen tips and early-season strawberries. The palate flashes a real depth of fruit with rich brambleberries, brightened by pine sap, smoked sea salt and sumac notes. A delicious coming together of the wine’s rich fruit and mineral complexity.
Opulent aromas of rose petals, smoke and crushed raspberries mark this wine from the La Bohème Vineyard, planted in 1985. Sweet black raspberries, cloves, and green tea leaves are met by sandalwood and chicory root. The structure is impressive, and the fruit goes on seemingly forever.
The least planted of the Pinots in the Willamette Valley, Pinot Blanc offers fresh floral goodness, and this bottling from Elk Cove delivers. Sweet white floral aromas of gardenia and English Hawthorne swirl around notes of lychee and early-season apricot. The palate is light, bright and fruited with sweet peach flesh, mandarin and candied lemon peel. The wine finishes with an incredible mineral streak of wet slate and ample acidic lift.
A wonderful off-dry Oregon Riesling that shows elegance, depth and just the slightest touch of viscosity. The aromatics of cardamom, spiced pear and honeysuckle are tinged with wet stone aromas and just a kiss of petrol. The palate shows a real depth of spiced pear fruits, lychee, toasted almond cream and great acidity carry this wine to the finish.
Richly complex, this is not a simple sipping Pinot Gris. The aromatics are floral and fruit-centred, with plenty of jasmine, ripe pear and toasted almond. The palate is surprisingly rich and complex, with lanolin, beeswax and sweet stone fruit flavours. Textured and rich with candied ginger, honeyed pear and apricot to finish. This is a lot of vinous complexity for less than $20.
“Elk Cove is a standard bearer when it comes to Willamette Valley Pinot Gris. Their latest vintage features aromas of peach sorbet, a trace of pineapple and a crushed sprig of lemon balm. Energizing acidity drives a crisp texture and flavors like spearmint and a pear tart sprinkled with cinnamon.” — Michael Alberty
“The wine’s Golden Delicious apple and pear aromas are joined by notes of petrol and lemon drop hard candies, complete with the sugary coating. It’s more of the same on the palate, although the citrus may lean toward lime. Nice acidity and the kind of clean, fresh mountain stream texture you’d like to dip a toe in.”
“The grapes used to make this dazzler were whole cluster-pressed and fermented in stainless steel. Peach and melon aromas are flanked by notes of honeysuckle and wet slate. Jittery acidity shines a spotlight on rich lemon butter, thyme and green tea flavors. This is one of the best Pinot Blancs I’ve had in a long time. Editors’ Choice.” —Michael Alberty
“From a vineyard planted in 1993 behind the winery in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the 2021 Pinot Noir Roosevelt is a nearly opaque ruby-red and slowly opens in the glass to reveal dark layers of lavender, kirsch, and undercurrents of graphite. Fleshy and full-bodied, it remains elegant and weightless, with velvety tannins and broad shoulders emerging through the mid-palate, as well as notes of rocky earth and good purity in its ripe frame. Drink 2025-2035.” – Audrey Frick
“From nine selected barrels, the 2019 Pinot Noir Reserve is highly expressive and pours a deep jeweled ruby hue. Opening in the glass, it reveals aromas of black cherry preserve, licorice, scorched earth, and toasted pine. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and ripe, mouth-filling fruit, it’s long on the palate, with a note of delicate smoky earth that lasts on the finish. It’s going to need some time to come into its own. Drink 2025-2035.” – Audrey Frick
“Pouring a nearly opaque ruby-red, the 2021 Pinot Noir Mount Richmond is darker and more introspective, with brooding notes of blackberry fruit, toasted baking spices, licorice, and scorched earth. Structured, full-bodied, and opulent, it takes on ripe tannins, white pepper spice, and ripe meaty fruit through the finish, with lingering notes of incense. This age-worthy red will need time to soften and open up. Drink 2025-2035.” – Audrey Frick
“Taking on more primary ripe floral and fruity aromas, with notes of red and blue fruit shining though, the 2021 Pinot Noir Five Mountain pours a deep ruby and offers generous enveloping aromas of candied purple flowers, blackberry, and an accent of toasted spice. Mouth-filling with fruit, this full-bodied red is generous with supple, sweet tannins and a rounded mouthfeel that’s juicy all the way through the finish. It’s going to benefit from another year or two in bottle so it can shed some of its baby fat to reveal more of its spiced notes. Drink 2025-2035.” – Audrey Frick
“A solid appellation wine, the dark ruby 2021 Pinot Noir Estate is ripe and sunny with aromas of blackberry, scorched earth, and violets. Full-bodied, with a silky texture, a stony mouthfeel, and notes of toasted cedar on the finish, it’s supple and attractive now and will drink well over the next 3-5 years.” – Audrey Frick
“Deep ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir Clay Court is layered with floral and spice notes as well as black raspberry liqueur, anise, mossy earth, and cracked pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with an elegant mouthfeel and a beautiful texture, it offers fine tannins and a silky, clean, rounded palate of fruit. Long on the palate and very well-balanced, it’s hard to resist now, but I imagine this will improve over the next 6-8 years.” – Audrey Frick