10 Best Pinot Noir Wines in Willamette Valley (2023)

10 Best Pinot Noir Wines in Willamette Valley Featured

Willamette Valley: Pinot Noir’s Oregon Paradise

“What is the best Pinot Noir in Willamette Valley?” is a common question among wine enthusiasts. With countless wineries, Oregon and Willamette Valley offer diverse wine options. In this article, we will attempt to discover the best Pinot Noir in Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir is the ultimate red grape varietal of Burgundy, France. That said, even though widely cultivated in diverse wine regions around the world, Pinot Noir has found a paradise in Oregon’s renowned Willamette Valley.

Pinot Noir is a complex wine, with some of the best expressions commanding high prices in the wine market. Pinot Noir wines present aromas of cherries, red berries, baking spice, and clove. The palate is weighty, showcasing flavors of the forest floor, dried soil, leather, smoke, and dried flowers, like violets. Pinot Noirs wines have some qualities in common with Merlot and Syrah, but they are more complicated and refined, making them appealing to sophisticated palates.


Best Overall Best Value Best Under $15 Best Under $20 Best Under $25 Best Under $30 Best Under $40 Best Under $50 Best Under $100 Best With Unlimited Budget
Bottle
Name Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Sokol Blosser Evolution (E) Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir Elk Cove Estate Pinot Noir Ponzi Pinot Noir RoseRock Pinot Noir Angela Vineyards Abbott Claim Pinot Noir Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir Antica Terra Botanica Pinot Noir
Color Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red
Country United States United States United States United States United States United States United States United States United States United States
Grapes Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir Pinot Noir
Taste Blueberry, Leather, Tobacco, Graphite, Charred Wood Raspberry, Strawberry, Charred Wood, Smoke, Soil, Black Tea, Orange Peel Plum, Raspberry, Cinnamon Spice, Charred Oak Strawberry, Plum, Raspberry Chocolate, Forest Floor Plum, Cardamom, Coffee, Smoke, Chocolate, Butter, Vanilla Spice Strawberry, Strawberry, Chocolate, Thyme, Licorice, Butterscotch, Forest Floor Chocolate, Black Tea, Wet Stones, Dried Herbs, Cinnamon Spice Violet, Orange Peel, Cherry, Tobacco, Chocolate, Coffee, Tobacco, Cedar, Truffle Cherry Compote, Blueberry, Plum, Mushroom, Forest Underbrush Raspberry, Strawberry, Blood Orange, Flint, Wet Stones, Clove, Cedar
Food Pairing Venison, Carpaccio, Roast Pork, Mushroom-based Dishes, Pheasant Fillet Mignon, Carpaccio, Roast Goose, Pheasant, And Grilled Lobster Char Siu Pork, Seared Salmon, Roast Pork With Fennel, Turkey Sausages, Ham, Grilled Asparagus, Kidneys, Pigeon, Lamb Rack, Sweetbreads Rib-eye Steak, Partridge, Calves’ Liver, Mushroom Risotto, Roast Lobster Duck, Cassoulet, Roast Goose, Glazed Ham, Game Pie, Gorgonzola Grilled Quail, Roast Chicken, Lamb Rack, Game Meat Pie Tomahawk steak, beef burger, rabbit, lamb rack, Brie, Camembert Roast Pork, Beef Wellington, Carpaccio, Partridge, Pheasant, Calf Liver Venison, Duck, Roast Pork, Grilled Salmon, And Sautéed Mushrooms
Alcohol Content 13% 14.1% 13.5% 13.5% 13.5% 13.7% 14.1% 14% 13.1% 14.4%
Sugar Content Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry
Our Rating 4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5) 4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5) 4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5) 4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5) 4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5) 4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5) 4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5) 4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5) 4.9 out of 5 stars (4.9 / 5) 5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)
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Sustainable Viticulture Is Willamette Valley’s Trademark

Willamette Valley is Oregon’s prestigious winemaking zone. Winemaking in the valley, and to an extent, in all of Oregon, is handcrafted or artisanal, with winemakers aiming to create world-class wines. On top of this, most of the Willamette Valley’s vineyards are sustainable, as Oregon wine producers desire to craft wines expressive of the terroir. Pinot Noir is the leading varietal of the valley. In fact, some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs are produced here.

Besides, Willamette Valley is renowned for having rich soils, benefiting from ancient Ice Age floods. Therefore, Pinot Noir vines take advantage of the favorable growing conditions and the ample nutrients of the ground to grow superbly concentrated fruit. This enables Oregon winemakers to present world-class Pinot Noir, capturing the elegance of the state in a wine glass.


Best Pinot Noir Wines in Willamette Valley

Best Overall

  • Name — Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Domaine Drouhin
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Cherry, Raspberry, Plum, Vanilla Spice, Oak
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Blueberry, Leather, Tobacco, Graphite, Charred Wood
  • Alcohol Content — 13%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Venison, Carpaccio, Roast Pork, Mushroom-based Dishes, Pheasant
Overall Rating: 4.8

Positives
  • Complicated Nose
  • Concentrated Flavor Profile
  • Velvety Tannins
  • Long Finish
Negatives
  • Needs To Age A Bit

Tasting Notes

Packed with notes of tobacco, barnyard, graphite, and leather and a core of red berry fruits, Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir is an impressive Pinot Noir example. This wine shows a medium ruby-purple color, as it opens with a complete and complicated dark-cherry nose. Leather, tobacco, and graphite notes lead to a frame of raspberry, blueberry, and cinnamon flavors on the palate.

On top of that, the body might be medium, but it is concentrated, as expected, carrying ample tannin and an exciting, lengthy finish. Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir is already drinkable, but it would benefit from an additional 2-3 years in bottle.

Drouhin Family

This Pinot is another fine winemaking product of the Drouhin Family. In fact, this one might be more in line with the family’s Burgundian heritage than RoseRock Pinot Noir. Besides, as founder Robert J. Drouhin suggested: “Skills get more refined, methods evolve, but what’s important is what is transmitted from generation to generation: The search for excellence, the intellectual curiosity, the sense of values, passion, the respect for terroir.” These values are reflected in Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir, and that is simply fantastic!


Best Value

  • Name — Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Siduri
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Cranberry, Plum, Sage, Boysenberry, Cinnamon Spice
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Raspberry, Strawberry, Charred Wood, Smoke, Soil, Black Tea, Orange Peel
  • Alcohol Content — 14.1%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Fillet Mignon, Carpaccio, Roast Goose, Pheasant, And Grilled Lobster
Overall Rating: 4.6

Positives
  • Velvety Tannins
  • Jammy Mouth
  • Earthy And Dominating Aftertaste
Negatives
  • A Tad Sweeter Than Needed

Tasting Notes

Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has a humble texture, fine-grained tannins, and pronounced berry aromas, and it is fantastic. The fruit might be primarily from Willamette Valley, but, frankly, it comes from multiple sites within Oregon. This is not criticism. On the contrary, coming from different vineyards enables the berries to attain different levels of sugar concentration and flavor compounds.

This Pinot Noir begins with fresh, vibrant aromas of cranberry, plum, sage, and boysenberry. A bright acidity hits the palate on the front as the wine enters the mouth, as a jammy but modest texture defines the mid-palate. Notes of raspberries, strawberries, charred wood, smoke, and earth dominate the mouth, too, as black tea and orange-peel flavors drive towards the refined tannins. The finish is long and pleasant, with mushroom, minty, and baking spice touches.

Thanks to the Cascade Mountains to the east, the Coast Range to the west, and hill chains to the north, Willamette Valley is perfect for graceful Pinot Noirs with warm clay characteristics and crisp acidity, such as Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

Winemaking Dedicated to the Goddess of Wine

Siduri, named after the Babylonian Goddess of Wine, is a winery dedicated to the pursuit of Pinot Noir perfection. To achieve that, they have developed long-term relationships with sought-after grape growers and vineyards. They believe in the minimal intervention so that the winemaking represents the vineyard instead of overshadowing it. Consequently, Siduri wines are unfined and unfiltered, maximizing the natural Pinot Noir expression.


Best Under $15

  • Name — Sokol Blosser Evolution (E) Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Sokol Blosser
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Strawberry, Cherry, Chocolate, Rose Petal
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Plum, Raspberry, Cinnamon Spice, Charred Oak
  • Alcohol Content — 13.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Char Siu Pork, Seared Salmon, Roast Pork With Fennel, Turkey Sausages,
Overall Rating: 4.4

Positives
  • Vibrant Bouquet
  • Rich Palate
  • Smooth Tannins
  • Lengthy Finish
Negatives
  • A Bit Too Spicy

Tasting Notes

This is a fragrant Pinot Noir with touches of red berries, cherries, and strawberries mixed with a herbal edge. On top of that, the juicy tannins contribute to an attractive wine style, perfect for a lavish Thanksgiving dinner or with a basic pepperoni pizza. Just a simple sip is enough to convince you that this Pinot Noir is ripe, approachable, and palatable beyond comparison. Exhibiting aromas of fresh cherries and strawberries, Sokol Blosser Evolution (E) Pinot Noir has an undeniably vibrant bouquet.

Notes of chocolate and rose petals are also discernible as the glass closes in the nose. The mouthfeel, however, is round, rich, and jammy with smooth tannins. Further, the palate is cherry-flavored with a hint of spice and oak. The finish is lengthy and softened by the racy acidity. Undoubtedly, therefore, this is one of the best-selling Pinot Noir wines in Willamette Valley.

Pioneering in Oregon Wine Production

Sokol Blosser has been a pioneer of the Oregon wine industry since planting their first vines in Willamette Valley in 1971. Back then, Oregon did not produce wine, at least not nationwide. Today, with over 900 wineries, Oregon has boomed, and its wines are internationally acclaimed.

Over the years, Sokol Blosser survived and prospered as a family-owned winery. Through sustainable practices, they managed to produce world-class wines, expressive of the flavors of hillside vineyards. As seen above, Sokol Blosser Evolution (E) Pinot Noir is such a wine!


Best Under $20

  • Name — Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Willamette Valley Vineyards
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Cherry, Cranberry, Caramel, Clove
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Strawberry, Plum, Raspberry Chocolate, Forest Floor
  • Alcohol Content — 13.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Ham, Grilled Asparagus, Kidneys, Pigeon, Lamb Rack, Sweetbreads
Overall Rating: 4.6

Positives
  • Plush Mid-palate
  • Delicious
  • Aging Potential
Negatives
  • Uninspired Acidity

Tasting Notes

Sweet and fruit-forward, packed with the rich tastes of berries, chocolate, and baking spices, this Pinot Noir is versatile. It also pairs with a wide variety of cuisines like spicy Asian food, as well as seafood, which is unusual for red wine. From the first glance, the wine shows its beauty, with the light ruby-red color. As soon as it is uncorked, cranberry, cherry, and caramel fragrances emerge.

Likewise, the palate is sweet, fruit-forward, and dynamic, as the flavors mirror the nose. At the same time, additional tastes of cinnamon spice, raspberry, and chocolate offer a unique twist to the palate. The mid-palate is juicy, followed by a lengthy finish and an uplifting, moderate acidity. To enjoy this one to the fullest, aim to serve it slightly chilled. And even though you can uncork it immediately, it reaches peak drinkability in the coming years, specifically sometime between 2022-2024.

Creating High-Quality Pinot Noir After a Bit of Experimenting

Jim Bernau is the founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards. He began experimenting with Pinot Noir by using hand-picked clusters and placing them inside chilled stainless-steel fermentation tanks. He forced the oxygen to be expelled with carbon dioxide during the carbonic maceration.

Once this was done, he sealed the fermenters tight. The Pinot Noir grapes began swelling and expanding, turning pink. Once burst, they released a super aromatic Pinot Noir example. In this way, Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir came into existence.


Best Under $25

  • Name — Elk Cove Estate Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Elk Cove
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Cherry, Raspberry, Mushroom, Thyme, Toasted Wood
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Plum, Cardamom, Coffee, Smoke, Chocolate, Butter, Vanilla Spice
  • Alcohol Content — 13.5%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Rib-eye Steak, Partridge, Calves’ Liver, Mushroom Risotto, Roast Lobster
Overall Rating: 4.6

Positives
  • Pronounced Fruit-forward Aromas
  • Complicated Palate
  • Effectively Oak-aged
  • Refined And Elegant
Negatives
  • Overly Earthly

Tasting Notes

This is a very earthy and woody Pinot Noir, with pronounced fruit-forward aromas and a deep palate of sweet cherries and cardamom. With a deep ruby color, Elk Cove Estate Pinot Noir begins the tasting experience with an elegant appearance. On the nose, fragrant cherries and raspberries drive to aromas of mushroom, thyme, and toasted wood.

The palate is fruit-forward and has depth, with plum, cardamom, and baking spice flavors dominating. The wine has undergone 10 months of aging in oak, too. As such, barrel influences of coffee, smoke, chocolate, and butter are not uncommon. Elk Cove Estate Pinot Noir is one of the most complex Pinots of Oregon.

Advocating Sustainability Practices

Elk Cove Vineyards was established in 1974 when the Oregon wine industry was non-existent. Half a century later, this wine business ranks as one of the best in Oregon. In addition, at Elk Cove, sustainability practices are the norm. For example, irrigation is used in the first 3 years of vine growth, cover crops are preferred instead of synthetic fertilizers, and goats and longhorn cattle are chosen to control weeds. Therefore, at Elk Cove, everything has a natural feel.


Best Under $30

  • Name — Ponzi Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Ponzi Vineyards
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Blueberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Cinnamon Stick, Clove, Cedar
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Strawberry, Strawberry, Chocolate, Thyme, Licorice, Butterscotch, Forest Floor
  • Alcohol Content — 13.7%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Duck, Cassoulet, Roast Goose, Glazed Ham, Game Pie, Gorgonzola
Overall Rating: 4.6

Positives
  • Expressive Bouquet
  • Pronounced And Palatable Palate
  • Smooth Tannins
  • Stimulating Acidity
Negatives
  • Lacks Sophistication

Tasting Notes

Excellent aromatics of cranberry and cedar mingle with a subtle mouth of strawberry and lavender flavors to deliver a dynamic tasting profile. Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir also sees good balance and soft tannins. With over 50 years of philosophy, trips to Burgundy, and winemaking passion, this Pinot Noir is the outcome of excessive research and dedication. Gentle fragrances of cinnamon stick, blueberry, and cedar jump from the glass, just as the wine is poured into it.

On the palate, the balsamic reduction is pronounced. It combines with notes of strawberry, chocolate, and thyme, creating an immersive experience. The Pinot finishes with smooth tannins interlaced with licorice, butterscotch, and earthy touches. At the same time, the acidity is crispy, stimulating the taste buds.

Wines Highly Expressive of the Terroir and Climate

As mentioned above, Ponzi Vineyards has a long history of winemaking. However, above everything else, it has the world’s highest standard for sustainable enology and viticulture. Committing to the concept that the grape varieties should represent the terroir and climate, Ponzi Vineyards sets the bar for Oregon wine, remaining amongst the top producers of the United States.


Best Under $40

  • Name — RoseRock Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Roserock
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola-Amity Hills
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Blueberry, Boysenberry, Cherry, Violet, Cassis, Violet
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Chocolate, Black Tea, Wet Stones, Dried Herbs, Cinnamon Spice
  • Alcohol Content — 14.1%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Grilled Quail, Roast Chicken, Lamb Rack, Game Meat Pie
Overall Rating: 4.7

Positives
  • Charming Nose
  • Structured Palate
  • Refreshing Acidity
  • Value-for-money
Negatives
  • Under Ripe Fragrances

Tasting Notes

Appealing to the eye and with a delicate nose and captivating palate, RoseRock Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir is velvety. The wine starts off with a medium ruby-purple hue and opens into a charming nose of blueberry, boysenberry, and cherry. After a few swirls, aromas of potpourri, violet, and cassis develop, contributing depth and structure.

On the palate, dried Mediterranean herbs blend with chocolate, black tea, and wet stone flavors. Next, the light-to-medium body is complemented by a cinnamon spice frame and grainy, firm tannins. The acidity is racy and refreshes, finishing long with pronounced earthy notes. Even though RoseRock Pinot Noir is meticulously polished and powerful, it is one of the winery’s lowest-priced Pinots.

In other words, not only is it one of the finest Pinot Noirs of Oregon, but it is great value-for-money, too. And with so many layers of flavors, this Pinot is going to bestow a memorable wine-drinking experience upon wine enthusiasts. Consequently, it is not surprising that it is the best Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

A Winery With Burgundian Roots

Produced by the Drouhin family, this is a Pinot Noir with roots in Burgundy. The Drouhin family started creating wine in 1880 in Bourgogne, France. But a century later, they decided to venture out of Europe and establish Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Willamette Valley’s Dundee Hills. Since then, the family has stayed faithful to its commitment to sustainable viticulture and producing wines expressive of the terroirs of Oregon.


Best Under $50

  • Name — Angela Vineyards Abbott Claim Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Angela Vineyards
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Redcurrant, Raspberry, Cherry Cola, Sassafras
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Violet, Orange Peel, Cherry, Tobacco, Chocolate, Coffee, Tobacco, Cedar, Truffle
  • Alcohol Content — 14%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Tomahawk steak, beef burger, rabbit, lamb rack, Brie, Camembert
Overall Rating: 4.8

Positives
  • Refined Palate
  • Rounded Cedar And Tobacco Notes
  • Silky Tannins
Negatives
  • Acidity Is Not That Refreshing

Tasting Notes

Angela Vineyards Abbott Claim Pinot is a critically acclaimed Pinot with velvety tannins and ripe flavors of cherry cola. Sweet cedar, tobacco, and mushroom touches define the tasting profile, granting an unparalleled sensation. This is a fantastic Pinot Noir example, refined, sleek, and with clarity. Plush aromas of red currant, raspberry, and cherry cola combine with plum and sassafras on the nose.

As the wine enters the mouth, rounded cedar and tobacco flavors surface and merge with orange peel and violet highlights. The aftertaste shows notes of tea, coffee, chocolate, and cherry. At the same time, the tannins are silky with mushroom and truffle overtones. In other words, Angela Vineyards Abbott Claim Pinot Noir is earthy, with incredible complexity and depth.

Responsible Farming Leads to Quality Wine

Angela Vineyards focuses on sustainable viticulture and farming the land responsibly. Further, they attempt to harness traditional winemaking methods to craft quality wines with minimal intervention. Their principle is that wine is produced to be celebrated and become an essential part of everyday life. Consequently, the grapes are hand-picked and carefully sorted, while the fermentation is natural, with the addition of native yeasts and subtle extraction methods.


Best Under $100

  • Name — Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Domaine Serene
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Cherry, Orange Peel, Pomegranate, Potpourri, Cinnamon Spice
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Cherry Compote, Blueberry, Plum, Mushroom, Forest Underbrush
  • Alcohol Content — 13.1%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Roast Pork, Beef Wellington, Carpaccio, Partridge, Pheasant, Calf Liver
Overall Rating: 4.9

Positives
  • Dynamic Pinot Noir Style
  • Complicated Flavor Profile
  • Impressive Aftertaste
Negatives
  • The Pronounced Complexity Might Not Be For Everyone

Tasting Notes

This is an exquisite Pinot Noir, expressive of the Domaine Serene’s terroir. Robust and powerful but perfectly balanced, this Pinot offers a sensual experience. As soon as you uncork the bottle, spice engulfs your nostrils. When the spice notes subside, the nose reveals exploding aromas of cherry, orange peel, pomegranate, and potpourri.

On the palate, the wine has incredible flavor concentration. In fact, the mouth undulates with a crescendo of cherry compote, blueberry, plum, mushroom, and forest underbrush. Smooth texture and fine-grained tannins support the seamless build, finishing long with an impressive, dark fruit aftertaste.

Living the American Dream

Domaine Serene is the definition of the American Dream. Established in the Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley in 1989, it grew from a small family-run business to one of the greatest Pinot Noir producers. Domaine Serene cultivates Pinot Noir and Chardonnay exclusively, with each sub-estate offering a diversity of rootstocks, soils, microclimates, elevations, and slopes that add complexity to their wines.

To sum it up, Domaine Serene is synonymous with world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their wines represent the fact that high-quality winemaking is possible in Oregon, including Evenstad Pinot Noir, one of the finest regions for wine production in the world.


Best With Unlimited Budget

  • Name — Antica Terra Botanica Pinot Noir
  • Winery — Antica Terra
  • Country/Region — United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  • Type — Oregon Pinot Noir
  • Aroma — Violet, Pineapple, Peach, Cherry, Thyme, Meat, Smoke
  • Grapes — Pinot Noir
  • Taste — Raspberry, Strawberry, Blood Orange, Flint, Wet Stones, Clove, Cedar
  • Alcohol Content — 14.4%
  • Sugar — Dry
  • Pairing — Venison, Duck, Roast Pork, Grilled Salmon, And Sautéed Mushrooms
Overall Rating: 5.0

Positives
  • Pronounced Floral And Woody Nose
  • Fantastic Palate
  • Exceptional Flavor Concentration
Negatives
  • Basically Nothing

Tasting Notes

What can one say about this wine? Perhaps, it is the most complicated Pinot Noir of the United States, certainly of Oregon. And, consequently, it is also one of the top-rated Pinot Noir wines in Willamette Valley. Consequently, Botanica Pinot Noir commands an astronomical price, which, is completely justified by the wine’s compelling texture and luxurious personality. Botanica begins with an earthy and spicy expression, reminiscent of the finest Burgundian Pinot Noirs.

A subtle meaty sensation defines the nose, as notes of herbs, violets, and tropicals abound with a pronounced woody feel. As expected, the palate is complex, with dense acidity and bold tannins. Cherries, berries, blood oranges, and roses overflow a flint and wet stones thread of flavor. The structural element is indeed striking, and there is a superb balance between phenomenal concentration and insurgent tension. An extraordinary Pinot Noir, to say the least!

Home of Oregon’s Most Sophisticated and Elegant Pinot Noirs

This remarkable Pinot comes from Antica Terra, a rocky hillside in the Eola-Amity Hills of the Willamette Valley. The first grape vines were planted there in 1989 within the oak savannah. To cultivate the vines, wine producers prepared the ground with a mixture of alluvium and sandstone seeded with fossilized oyster shells. After continuous winemaking efforts, Antica Terra has become home to some of the world’s most sophisticated and expressive Pinot Noirs. One such Pinot is this excellent one from Botanica!

Conclusion

Oregon is such an underrated winemaking region. In the United States, it might have made a name for itself, but it still has a long way to go to gain international recognition. Therefore, if you ever encounter Oregon Pinot Noir, do not turn your back to it, as it may be one of the finest Pinot’s you ever experience!

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