2022 United States Pinot Noir

Organic/Bio While Stephen Hagen and his team are fine winemakers, the real story here is winegrowing. Stephen’s unique “grazing based viticulture” replaces herbicides, mowing, plowing and fertilizers with something... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV If you think this is impressive right now (and it is!), just wait until you give it some time in decanter or a year or two in cellar. Plenty of succulent fruit but also amazing old-vine intensity from a large... Read More

One of the longest-running high-quality “value” Pinots we know of. As Robert Parker said of the 2013 edition: An authentic tasting Pinot Noir that sells for a song. Aromas of sweet red and black cherry fruit intermixed... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV A great example of a quality Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity region when put in the hands of iconic winemaker Steve Doerner, pioneer of whole cluster ferments in Oregon. Cristom Vineyards predominately works... Read More

This tiny Sonoma producer doesn’t put much of the 600 cases they made of this into retail, so jump on the chance to try their very elegant, pure, Pinot while you can! As Wine Enthusiast says in the 93 point review, “As... Read More

One of California's top Pinot houses reaches up to Oregon's Zena Crown vineyard for a Warrior Princess of a wine! Jeb Dunnuck captures it nicely in the 95 point rave, it’s a youthful ruby hue and is floral and ripe... Read More

If you were teaching a class on what really good Russian River Pinot Noir tastes like, you'd pour this. As Jeb Dunnuck says in his 93 point write-up: ripe and layered in the glass, with a generous, inviting, pure perfume of... Read More

Where Russian River Pinot is all about the fruit, move out to the Sonoma Coast (here just 4 miles from the Ocean) and things turn more savory and spiced. As Jeb Dunnuck says in the 93 point review, this offers a riper feel, with... Read More

Excellent value in right down the middle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The whole valley is represented here, with fruit from Cascade Foothills, Corvallis, Carlton, Amity and Laurelwood, all aged in old oak. Shows more fresh, crisp,... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Smokin’ good Willamette Pinot Noir from a vineyard Dick Erath planted on marine sedimentary soils way back in 1968. Back then, most of the plant material available were Pinot Clones successful in California,... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV Always one of the best values in Willamette Valley Pinot, the Estate Old Vine bottling benefits in 2022 from frost damage that dropped yields to a ton per acre and a decision to put all of the best blocks... Read More

For me, volcanic soil Pinot is always a unique blend of dark red fruit - raspberry, cherry - with dark, dusky, notes of smoke and toasted spice. In 2022 you find all of that but also a bigger sense of freshness and verve to play... Read More

Organic/Bio Jim Anderson began bottling this wine in 2005 so customers could more clearly taste the difference between Pinot from the Willamette Valley's marine sedimentary and volcanic soils. Today it's 25 barrels from... Read More

From one of the Central Coast’s very first Pinot Noir vineyards, Mission Ranch in the Salinas Valley planted in 1961. Fifty-five years later, mature vines in a great vintage gave a crop of beautifully ripe Pinot Noir loaded... Read More

With lots from Justice, Koosah, Sojeau, Temperance Hill, Witness Tree, Bracken and X Novo vineyards, 5% whole clusters and 30% new oak, the 2022 Cuvee Ruth is at once creamy and lithe, deep and vibrant. Mostly it’s just... Read More

Organic/Bio Lower ABV This high-altitude, volcanic soil, Eola Hills vineyard is fast developing into one of the most exciting sites in the Valley. Walter Scott delivers their typical Burgundian take on Oregon Pinot here, emphasizing... Read More

Just 340 cases made and 7 for the whole state of Virginia – not enough of what just may be the finest Willamette Valley Pinot Noir I’ve ever tasted. The vineyard formerly known as “Sojourner” sits in the... Read More