These are only some of the 2015 Oregon Pinot Noir that have spilled into our glass so far. Do you have any favorites.
photo credit Oregon Wine Press
2015 R Stuart & Co. Autograph Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
A soft, fruit forward Pinot Noir with lots of acid. Enjoy now or see where it goes. Expect sweet cherry, candied raspberry, cinnamon, a bit of blueberry and dried strawberry. Long refreshing finish $60
2015 Erath Estate Selection Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
A fruit forward Pinot Noir with blueberry and raspberry aromas sweetened with cinnamon and floral notes and grounded with dusty minerality. The fruit becomes plum, strawberry, and red delicious apple on the palate where it is met with a citrusy acidity and a bitter little bite of black pepper on the finish. Well rounded and well structured. $34
2015 Arbor Brook Vineyards Estate 777 Block Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains
Quote of the tasting, “It’s a little weird but I dig it.” A complex layering of inviting fruit, spicy pepper, and something herbaceous. Warm cherry pie filling and candy apple meets white pepper and dried oregano on the nose. The savory notes take center stage on the palate with a long peppery finish and a grippy, yet fine textured tannin. $55
2015 Durant Vineyards at Red Ridge Lark Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
Light, elegant, and feminine. The nose is raspberry, red currant, floral, mineral, and woodsy spicy lavender. Floral notes show strongest on the palate where they are deepened with the flavors of cherry vanilla cola. A juicy acidity appears mid palate to add some lift and spreads across the long spicy finish. Store it or pour it. Lovely either way. $30
2015 Kramer Vineyards Rebecca’s Reserve Pinot Noir Yamhill – Carlton
Spice and earth define this Pinot Noir. Aromas of tangerine zest, cherry, dried mint, and orange scented tea leaves get a hint of fall with warm mulling spice like cinnamon. Black pepper and green cardamon make an appearance on the palate as well as fresh cool forest flavors and sassafras. Sturdy structure and a long, earthy finish. $48
2015 Longplay Jory Bench Reserve Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains
The tastes of autumn. Dried orange peel, cinnamon, cloves, red fruit compote and brown sugar entice the nose. The palate does not disappoint as these aromas are joined with a little strawberry lift and a minty sweetness that lingers on the finish. Ready to drink in its youth. $38
2015 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Seductive, elegant, understated, and stately. Light fresh bing cherry, toasted oats, and a dried woody herb – maybe tarragon with that fun little whiff of licorice. The flavors meld and concentrate on the palate with a dash of white pepper, a floral essence, and a springy acidity. Approachable even in its youth. $32
2015 Bradley Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir Elkton
There should be a glass of this wine waiting by the leather chair in your library. Masculine aromas of tobacco, dusty minerality, smoked meat, toasted wood, and thyme. The palate speaks to you in a deep voice and promises cocoa, stewed blackberries, orange zest, and just a hint of cherry. $32
2015 Torii Mor Reserve Deux Verres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
A sultry wine with a depth and maturity beyond its age. Leather, plum sauce, dried fruit, and smoke meld on an already well integrated palate. A bright cranberry flavored acidity keeps it fresh. Sweetened notes of strawberry, toast, cola, vanilla, and marzipan on the nose. $38
2015 Knudsen Vineyards Estate Reserve Pinot Noir Dundee Hills
Rich, saturated, and ready to tuck in and enjoy this winter. A nose of dusty minerality, earth, bark, roasted coffee, walnut skin, leather, and dried flowers. Concentrated cherry and plum swirl with cola, milk chocolate, smoke, and coconut on a substantial structure with a zingy acidity. $70
2015 William Rose Pinot Noir Oregon
Wild and fresh with blueberry, mint, green peppercorn, oolong tea leaves and rainforest on the nose. The palate begins with sour cherry that ripens midway and becomes jammier and darkens to blueberry through the finish. The green peppercorn makes a spicy encore and a fresh acidity keeps everything lively. $28
2015 Whitetail Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir Umpqua Valley
Big, dark, and brooding in appearance, structure, and flavor. A complex nose of cherry and blackberry, marzipan, coconut, toast, leather, coffee, and tobacco. Mixed berry essence and sweet pipe tobacco are carried on substantial, yet balanced tannin and acid. $23
A version of this article appeared in Oregon Wine Press.
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