7 Stellar Oregon Pinot Noirs to Drink Right Now
Pinot Noir is a native of Burgundy, France, where it is king, but it is now grown all over the world. The word pinot comes from the French word used to describe a pinecone because of the shape of the grape clusters and the word noir simply means “black.” In the new world, Pinot Noir was first planted in California during the gold rush, but it didn’t make it north to Oregon until 1965 and really didn’t gain any traction until Domain Drouhin planted it in 1987. Since that time there has been a steady influx of French families in wineries and vineyards there. Today Drouhin oversees a 235-acre estate on top of the Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley. Other French investment in the area includes Lingua Franca, Nicolas-Jay, and Résonance. Because of its bright acidity and softer tannins, Pinot Noir pairs well with a wide variety of foods like grilled swordfish, tuna, barbecued chicken, or baby back ribs. Of course, it is also a good choice when steaks are on the menu. Here are seven Pinots from Oregon to inspire you and whet your appetite.
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Cristom 2021 Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon
Paul and Eileen Gerrie founded Cristom in 1992 and relocated their family from Pittsburgh to the Willamette Valley. Their son Tom, the current winegrower, attended University of Washington and got harvest experience in Burgundy and then in Australia, at Tappanappa in Adelaide Hills and Medhurst in the Yarra Valley. Jessie Vineyard 2021 has heady aromas of freshly picked blueberry, red cherry, underbrush, and red currant. Silky smooth tannins pave the way for flavors of freshly ground black pepper, nutmeg, allspice, red raspberry, and cranberry.
Antiquum Farm 2021 Passiflora Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon
Antiquum Farm is certainly a unique concept. The farming protocol is called “grazing-based viticulture,” which means that the winemaking team employs different animals to help with weed and pest control between the vines. Katahdin Dorper sheep are the first line grazers, but Kune Kune pigs are also used to contribute to the vineyard floor root growth. Chickens and other birds work as the clean-up team, while the farm’s working dogs protect all the livestock from predators. Antiquum Farm Passiflora comes from the vineyard’s highest elevation sites and has aromas of cranberry, red cherry, and Oolong tea with silky tannins and flavors of red plum, pomegranate, and brown baking spices.
Bergström 2020 Bergström Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Oregon
Karen and John Bergström started their eponymous winery in 1999 and today their son Josh functions as the winemaker, vineyard manager, and just about everything else needed to run a successful winery with 84 acres of land. He honed his winemaking skills in Burgundy and in our opinion his wines most definitely have that Burgundian “je ne sais quoi.” His 2020 has enticing aromas of ripe cherry, rose petals, red raspberry, crushed violet, with nuances of fragrant herbs that lead to an explosion of red fruit flavors, strawberries, yellow peppers, and mint. There’s a bright burst of Clementine orange in the finish.
Evening Land 2021 Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Oregon
Kolkata-born Rajat Parr is one of the best known Indian American sommeliers because of his long association with restaurateur Michael Mina. He now makes wine in California’s Central Coast and in Willamette Valley in Oregon. The Oregon property consists of more than 80 acres of vines that are farmed biodynamically. His Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot has a very floral bouquet consisting of aromas of crushed violet petals, lilac, and dried lavender that pave the way for fruit aromas of red and blue fruits. It has silky tannins and flavors of freshly picked cherry and red currant with a long, long finish.
Domaine Serene 2019 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon
Named for proprietor Ken and Grace Evenstad’s daughter, Serene, Domaine Serene is one of the Willamette Valley’s foremost luxury Pinot Noir producers and certainly one of our favorites. Grace continues to run the winery after her husband’s death and can be seen at philanthropic charity auctions around the world. Her 2019 reserve Pinot Noir has deep aromas of black cherry, red currant, and red cherry with top notes of cinnamon and clove. Silky tannins set the tone for rich red fruit flavors with a touch of caramelized orange peel on the finish.
St. Innocent 2019 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Oregon
Winemaker Mark Vlossak founded St. Innocent Winery in the late 1980s, but his love of wine goes back to his childhood when his wine educator father and master chef trained mother introduced him to the concept of pairing food and wine. He currently manages all aspects of the winery but is now training the next generation to succeed him. He uses fruit sourced from Shea Vineyard to make this delightful 2019 Pinot Noir. It has aromas of strawberry, candied citrus peel, and forest floor that lead to silky tannins and flavors of ripe cherry, raspberry, and brown baking spices.
J.K. Carriere 2021 Antoinette Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon
Jim Prosser returned to Oregon after a career in finance and founded J.K. Carriere in 1999. Prosser named the winery for his grandfather and started sourcing grapes until he acquired 40 acres of hilltop land in 2007, began building a physical winery the year after, and planted grapes in 2009. His 2021 Antoinette Pinot Noir has aromas of cranberry, red raspberry, and red cherry. Bright cherry and strawberry flavors are joined by notes of brown baking spices, vanilla, and Oolong tea wrapped in a sheath of glossy tannins that fill the mouth and then recede, leaving lingering notes of fruit and spice.
