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There’s a growing following for the “White Pinot Noir” that’s emerging from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Tony Rynders has hit on something with this blend of Pinot Noir juice without any skin contact and Chardonnay.
Delicate florals, spicy white clover and banana esters build interest from the first sip.
This was literally a case of, “Do you want a red or white wine with dinner tonight?” The fact of the matter was the meal could have easily paired with either.
My latest shipment from Panther Creek Cellars came with single-vineyard Pinot Noir from each of the winery’s estate vineyards. Super fun. I had the chance to compare the vineyards last year, so was so pleased to get to experience the 2017 release this year.
The 2020 TEXSOM International Wine Awards garnered nearly 3,000 entries representing 25 countries and 19 U.S. States, with the most diverse selection of wines in the history of the competition.
Have you ever listened to two wine enthusiasts talk about their favorite wines? If so, there was probably some wine terminology being thrown around that would go over most peoples’ heads. Wine can be, for some, an intimidating item to order as its flavors and textures can be quite complex, and if you’re a patron in a wine bar and you aren’t sure what questions to ask or how to find the words to describe wine you enjoy, then you might not feel very comfortable ordering a glass in a hip wine bar.
Only 40 years ago, if you were looking for luxury wine, especially of the Pinot Noir varietal, the only place to look in the United States was California’s Napa Valley. Otherwise, consumers could only turn to France or Italy to find high end options. Thanks to a few pioneers that knew potential when they saw it, winemakers began harvesting across Oregon and by the 1980s turned this Pacific Northwest region into the centerpiece for Pinot Noir.
If you’re living in the Pacific Northwest and are looking for a new favorite wine to enjoy this winter, then it’s time to drive yourself to the nearest tasting room and order yourself a glass of Oregon Pinot Noir.
Florals and a concentrated, fruity medley of cherry, raspberry and boysenberry, with sweet vanilla and cola, transition to the palate. Milk chocolate flavors add to the opulence, and tart cranberry balances the tone. Soft tannins and ample acidity provide structure through a clean, stone-y finish.
What was considered by most to be a hallmark vintage, 2012 in Oregon was the calm which came after the storm of the cold and challenging 2011 vintage. Talking with winemaker Tony Rynders, he mentioned how these wines needed a bit of time to fully evolve into something special. I noticed that when I tried these upon release, that many of the 2012 Oregon Pinot Noirs were quite reticent both with their aromas and flavors. The wines had the stuffing and potential, but many just needed time to evolve.
