past vintages of willamette valley pinot noir

2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

1846 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$50
release date: February 28th, 2023
label: Ingrid, an American Guinea hog

The 2021 Willamette Valley Pinot noir is as always comprised of all the vineyards we work with – each is treated with equal diligence and as Brian says, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  Vinified in the house style – 100% whole cluster, native yeast, foot stomping, basket press, malo complete, only as much sulphur as necessary, this Pinot sees some oak but not too much and is bottled after 10 months in barrel without any fining or filtration.  We drink this wine regularly and we hope you will too!

tasting notes-
Lucious and finessed. Upon approach, florals of rose petals and red currant drive energetic notions with juicy black plum and huckleberry jam lurking behind gracefully. Medjool dates and raspberry lava cake reveal themselves as the first sip warms the palate.  Dried earl gray tea leaves with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg make for a lengthy finish that gently lingers without implication. Reminiscent of the comfort of your favorite Portland plaid on a rainy day.

scores -
92 pts — Paul Gregutt
94 pts — Owen Bargreen
94 pts — Karen McNeil/Winespeed
92 pts — James Suckling
93 pts — Wine Spectator
95 pts — International Wine Report
92 pts — Wine Enthusiast
93 pts — Decanter
93 pts — Wine & Spirits
9 pts — Vinography
17.5+ pts — Jancis Robinson (20 pt system)
92 pts — Vinous

2020 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2243 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$48
label- Lulu – an American Guinea hog

We looked at the 2020 vintage as a learning opportunity and attempted to make the best wine we could (as we always do!) I believe we have succeeded despite the challenges and I look forward to sharing our efforts with you. Fruit forward and spicy, it is delicious now and there is a delicacy to it that tells me it should be enjoyed sooner rather than later. Per usual it is bottled without filtration, and due to the pandemic we opted for a label that went on at bottling, rather than our hand labeling efforts of the past.

Cozy and vibrant with a sense of merriment, reminiscent of the warm feeling of family gathered, preparing a meal in the kitchen. Warmed cherry turnover, fig preserves and cigar tobacco float in the air. After a moment of reflection, the first sip reveals chai spice, wild elderberry, dark plum, and sassafras. Balanced and bold, with expressions of quince paste, huckleberry, dark chocolate and a hint of bourbon-maple syrup carries you through to a velvety, lingering finish.

scores-
90 pts— James Suckling
8.5-9 pts — Vinography
90 pts — International Wine Report
90 pts — Purely Domestic Wine Report

2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2503 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$48 (sold out)
label — Chubs the pig

Like the Wild Bee this is our largest bottling of pinot noir and a true representation of the region. The 9 different sites each with their own strengths add up to make this a delicious wine year after year. I believe the 2019 version is true to this – warm spice, cherry and blackberry on the nose, and a palate with persistent tannins and acidity that balance the fruit. All lots are treated with equal diligence, and barrel selections are made just prior to blending and bottling. All the winemaking, from picking decisions to final blending are done by taste – this is the most important thing to me – how does it taste? I want to make what I want to drink. Thankfully, a few of you also enjoy the same qualities in wine that I do.

A comforting warmth on the nose flaunts a gorgeous impression of dried cranberry, black cherry and raspberry. Upon first sip, subtle notes of dried violets, lavender and rose hip guide the senses towards a satisfying savoriness. On the palate, ripe, red fruit and cherry-cola are enhanced by anise, white pepper, Provençal herbs, and a hint of iron minerality. Velvety tannins dance with the abundant acidity, creating a lingering finish perfect for any occasion.

scores —
93 pts — Owen Bargreen
9 pts — Vinography
94 pts — Purely Domestic Wine Report
92 pts — Wine Spectator
92 pts — Vinous

past vintages (sold out)

2018 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2503 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$45 (sold out)
label - Sam and Rick of Big Table Farm

As always this wine is a true Willamette Valley blend.  Some of each of the 8 pinot noir vineyards we work with end up in this wine, making it a true representation of the 2018 vintage and the Willamette valley as a whole.  Winemaking has remained the same as past vintages, as well as volume produced.  We have always focused on quality verses quantity and we believe we have reached an equilibrium of both. Same price as last year, but different pigs – Sam and Rick, had a great life, one bad moment and live on as they grace our table and hopefully yours.

tasting notes -
This wine has generous fruit on the nose showing classic black cherry cranberry and a touch of cedar. There is a umami like minerality in the mid palate that is like a frame on which the bright jolly rancher like berry character hangs.  The finish is opulent with both fruit and cola with soft tannins that linger on the palate just long enough to make you want another sip.

scores —
94 pts — Winespeed
93 pts — James Suckling
92 pts — Wine Spectator
92 pts — Vinous

past vintages (sold out)

2017 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2509 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$100 (sold out)
label – Henrietta and Reina of big table farm

This wine is a true representation of the northern Willamette valley as all 8 pinot sites I work with end up in this bottling, from south of Salem to north Yamhill County.  It would be arrogant of me to think I could predict which fruit will turn into the best wine so I treat all with equal diligence.  I think this approach makes this bottling different but on par with our vineyard designates – it is more affordable because we make a lot more of it, but it gets the same care and handling as the rest of the wines. It has most everything a wine should have, fruit, acid, tannin, sweetness all in harmony and balance. When delicious is the first word that comes to mind, I smile, bow my head and say thank you and know that I have done my job well.

tasting notes -
This wine has a beautiful balance of raspberry fruit profile with warm spice, black tea and a delicate cocoa. The fruit on the palate is juicy but if you lean in there is a quiet brooding character to this wine that still has a lot yet to give. The Acid holds the fruit in check and the tannins keep the gentle momentum into a long finish.  In a word, ‘delicious’.

scores -
94 points - Washington Wine Blog
94 points - International Wine Report
94 points - Wine & Spirits
93 points - James Suckling
93 points - Vinous
96 points - Winespeed
91 points - The Pinotfile - Prince of Pinot
91 points - Wine Spectator
92 points - Purely Domestic Wine Report

2016 Willamette Valley Pinot noir

1835 cases produced
unfined and unfiltered
$100(sold out)
label - Buttercup of big table farm

This wine is a true representation of the northern Willamette valley as all 8 pinot sites I work with end up in this bottling, from south of Salem to north Yamhill county.  It would be arrogant of me to think I could predict which fruit will turn into the best wine so I treat all with equal diligence.  I think this approach makes this bottling different but on par with our vineyard designates – it is more affordable because we make a lot more of it, but it gets the same care and handling as the rest of the wines.

tasting notes— 
The freshness of the fruit captures you while the richness makes you lean in to drink in the aromatics in a few more times. This wine is giving some darker fruit, espresso and cacao alongside the raspberry and hint of plum. Its rich fruit is held in check with bright acidity. This wine delivers purity of fruit character and just the right amount of tannin and acid to invite you to slow down and take it in.

scores—
94 points — Wine and Spirits
93 points — James Suckling
93 points — Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of the World 2018
93 points — International Wine Report
92 points — Wine Enthusiast
93 points — Washington Wine Blog
91 points — Vinous
91 points — Poinotfile — Prince of Pinot
9 points — Vinography
96 points — Purely Domestic Wine Report