Our 2015 Brut Rosé featured in Food & Wine Magazine’s article “8 Oregon Sparkling Wines That Rival Champagne”. Here’s what they had to say:
“TheWillamette Valley’sdistinctive climate and geology have made it renowned for Pinot Noir, and its Chardonnays can be equally impressive—two varieties that also happen to be the classic ingredients of great sparkling wine… Winemaker Adam Campbell is one of Oregon’s top Pinot talents. His skill shows through in this creamy, lightly toasty wine.” – Ray Isle, Food & Wine
“Tones of lemon, lime and green apple penetrate deeply on the nose and palate. It’s tart and juicy, with a bright profile that will please many.” – Paul Gregutt
The review will post in the October 2019 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
Our 2017 Mount Richmond Pinot Noir was awarded 91 points by Wine Enthusiast!
“All of Adam Campbell’s 2017 Pinots are fine-tuned and elegant. Not as ripe as the 2015s, nor as sturdy as the 2016s, they perfectly express the character of this vintage. This vineyard selection offers tight raspberry limned with citrus. Flavors are sharp, and the tannins polished. Another year or two in the bottle should further improve this wine.” – Paul Gregutt
The review will post in the October 2019 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
“Made from Pommard and Dijon vines set atop Parrett Mountain, this is a spicy wine with pinpoint flavors of mountain berries, backed with juicy citrus. A finesse wine, stylish and deep, the details remain in sharp focus through a mineral-backed finish.” – Paul Gregutt
The review will post in the October 2019 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
“Peppery aromas carry that spicy impression into the palate, where medium-ripe red berries rule. Look for additional details of sweet grass and fresh herbs as it gently fades. Drink now through the early 2020s.” – Paul Gregutt
The review will post in the October 2019 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
These are the people who help us show Elk Cove to the world and we are so grateful for all that they do!
DISTRIBUTOR RETREAT 2019!
In August 2019, rock star members of the trade came from across the US to learn about Elk Cove and the Willamette Valley with vineyard visits, wine tastings, expert panels and fantastic meals all hosted by the Elk Cove staff.
Campers: we hope you all had a fantastic time in Oregon and at Elk Cove. Please share your fantastic pics here or on IG/TW @elkcove using #elkcove Cheers! THANK YOU for the photos: Brittany Mott, Wine Specialist with RNDC Dani Heidle, Elk Cove National Sales Manager Amy Griffith, Elk Cove Winery Chef
Curious how soil affects wine? Our Soil Trilogy is a great way to experience three wines made with the same varietal, by the same winemaker, our own Adam Campbell, from grapes grown on each of the three primary soil types here in the northern Willamette Valley. We are very fortunate to farm Pinot Noir on each of the three major Willamette Valley soil types: Willakenzie (marine sedimentary), Laurelwood (windblown silt) and Jory (volcanic clay). Our wines that typify the expression of each soil type are:
La Bohème (Willakenzie/marine sediment)
Five Mountain (Laurelwood/windblown silt)
Clay Court (Jory/volcanic clay)
From early on, it was our goal to farm on this diversity of soil types so that we could take Elk Cove 100% estate. The final piece of this puzzle was our purchase of Clay Court Vineyard in 2009. Clay Court is now home to Elk Cove founders Pat and Joe Campbell – and the namesake tennis court.
There is a relationship between soil type, aromatics and fruit expression that is fascinating to explore. Our soil trilogy is your chance to find out first-hand and taste for yourself. Our Single Vineyard Wines are made in small runs, this offer is only available while supplies last.
Want to know more about our local geology and how it affects wines? Check out this article by local wine geologist and Portland State professor Scott Burns.
Our 2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast! This is a great score for an Oregon Pinot Noir priced at $29 and we look forward to getting the full review in October.
“A lovely, fruit-packed wine, this is made in a forward, friendly style and given the same care as the single-vineyard wines. Released a bit later, it has benefitted from both the excellent vintage and the extra bottle age. Mixed blueberry and blue plum fruit offers pleasing notes of coffee and chocolate, and retains a hint of anchoring minerality.” – Paul Gregutt
The review will post in the October 2019 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
Clay Court Pinot Noir Five Mountain Pinot Noir Mount Richmond Pinot Noir Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley Pinot Gris Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
We’ve been notified of some excellent reviews in the October 2019 issue of the magazine – all 90 points and above – including two Editors’ Choice designations! Our Pinot Blanc was awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast for the second year in a row, showing that our winemakers are on their game when it comes to this little-known varietal.
These review will post in the October 2019 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
Our 2018 Pinot Blanc was an “Editor’s Choice” and awarded an excellent 92 points by Wine Enthusiast. We anticipate this to be one of the most highly rated Pinot Blancs, as our 2017 vintage was also awarded 92 points and was ranked #5 in Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 100 Wines of 2018.
“Intense in juicy, succulent fruit, this opens with lovely botanical aromas and flavors of ripe lime, grapefruit and fresh apple. The flavors are layered and deep, lifted by refreshing minerality.” – Paul Gregutt
This review will post in the October 2019 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine and at winemag.com. According to Senior Tasting Director Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast blind tastes wines for review and rates their wines according to a 100 point scale:
Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
Superb 94-97: A great achievement.
Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended.
Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances.
Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed.
Riesling Revival is a celebration of Oregon Riesling that doubles a poolside welcome to members of the wine trade on their first day of Oregon Pinot Camp.
Campers were revived, Oregon-style, with an official Pre-Oregon Pinot Camp pool party at Elk Cove owner/winemaker Adam Campbell’s home and the site of Elk Cove’s Five Mountain Vineyard. We celebrated and sampled the highest quality Riesling wines produced in the Willamette Valley.
Thank you Alexana, Brooks, Elk Cove, Hyland Estates, Ponzi, Trisaetum, Union Wine Co., and Van Duzer Vineyards, Lucky Strike, DJ Mike Willison & a very special thank you to the Reverend Riesling! Cheers to another successful revival of the world’s best white wine.
Josh Raynolds of Antonio Galloni’s Vinous gave our 2016 Roosevelt Pinot Noir a 94 point score in his review of Oregon Wines published this May- “Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness”.
“Bright magenta. Expressive black raspberry, cherry liqueur, savory herb and floral pastille scents are given depth by suggestions of vanilla and licorice. Offers palate-staining red/blue fruit flavors that show sharp delineation and energetic lift thanks to a core of smoky minerality. The balance of depth and finesse here is quite impressive. Strongly echoes the floral quality on a powerful, incisive finish that’s shaped by dusty, slow-building tannins.” – Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds of Antonio Galloni’s Vinous gave our 2016 Mount Richmond Pinot Noir a 93 point score in his review of Oregon Wines published this May- “Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness”.
“Limpid ruby. Expansive aromas of red and dark berry liqueur and cherry cola are complemented by a spicy topnote that gains volume as the wine opens up. Juicy, concentrated and supple in the mouth, offering appealingly sweet black raspberry, mocha and floral pastille flavors and an exotic touch of five-spice powder. Nicely plays richness off vivacity and finishes very long and smooth, with subtle tannins lending shape and grip.” – Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds of Antonio Galloni’s Vinous gave our 2016 La Bohème Pinot Noir a 93 point score in his review of Oregon Wines published this May- “Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness”.
“Deep vivid red. Powerful dark berry, floral pastille and succulent herb aromas are lifted by a smoky mineral element and a hint of peppery spices. Chewy and tightly focused on entry and then fleshier in the midpalate, displaying appealingly sweet boysenberry, black raspberry and spicecake flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Well-concentrated but lively as well, showing excellent clarity and spicy thrust on a long, gently tannic finish. (made with 15% whole clusters)” – Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds of Antonio Galloni’s Vinous gave our 2016 Five Mountain Pinot Noir a 93 point score in his review of Oregon Wines published this May- “Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness”.
“Bright ruby-red. Highly perfumed, mineral- and spice-tinged aromas of raspberry, cherry cola and incense are complemented by a suave floral nuance. Seamless and energetic on the palate, offering juicy red fruit liqueur, spicecake and rose pastille flavors and a minerally quality that emerges on the back half. Finishes smooth, floral and impressively long, showing sharp delineation and fine-grained tannins that lend gentle grip.” – Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds of Antonio Galloni’s Vinous gave our 2016 Clay Court Pinot Noir a 92 point score in his review of Oregon Wines published this May- “Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness”.
“Deep bright red. Musky red berries, cherry pit, candied flowers and succulent herbs on the spice-tinged nose. Chewy and focused in the mouth, showing very good definition and mineral lift to the subtly sweet raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors. Puts on weight with air and finishes very long and precise, with a resonating floral note and sneaky, well-knit tannins.” – Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds of Antonio Galloni’s Vinous gave our 2016 Goodrich Pinot Noir 92 point score in his review of Oregon Wines published this May- “Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness”.
“Translucent ruby-red. Expansive red/blue fruit scents are complicated by suggestions of mocha, succulent herbs and candied rose. Smooth and fleshy in the mouth, offering lively black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that tighten up and become spicier on the back half. Fine-grained, harmonious tannins build steadily on a very long, floral-accented finish that echoes the spicy note.” – Josh Raynolds
Our 2015 Brut Rosé featured in Food & Wine Magazine’s article “8 Oregon Sparkling Wines That Rival Champagne”. Here’s what they had to say:
“TheWillamette Valley’sdistinctive climate and geology have made it renowned for Pinot Noir, and its Chardonnays can be equally impressive—two varieties that also happen to be the classic ingredients of great sparkling wine… Winemaker Adam Campbell is one of Oregon’s top Pinot talents. His skill shows through in this creamy, lightly toasty wine.” – Ray Isle, Food & Wine
Josh Raynolds of Antonio Galloni’s Vinous gave our 2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir a 91 point score in his review of Oregon Wines published this May- “Oregon: An Embarrassment of Riches and Richness”.
“Brilliant ruby-red. Expressive red berry preserve, candied rose and baking spice scents show excellent clarity and lift. Fleshy but lively as well, offering sweet raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a hint of smokiness with air. Smoothly blends power and delicacy and finishes very long and spicy, with supple tannins sneaking in late. This is quite an impressive “basic” bottling of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.” – Josh Raynolds
