2015 Oregon Pinot Noir Second Team All-Americans

2012 Antica Terra Antikythera Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

516 cases, $100. Released March 1, 2015. · Amazing depth of color. Interesting aromatic drama, with scents of black cherry, blackberry, spice, Bailey’s Irish Creme, pine needle and a hint of oak. Full-bodied and rich, yet angelic in texture with velvety softness, offering delicious flavors of black raspberry, cassis, iron and spice. A whisper of oak chimes in. Well-ripened in this vintage and a noticeable departure from the previous two vintages with more fruit and more structure. A delightful wine that harkens back to the Sine Qua Non Pinot Noirs of the past, and can serve as a poster child for the voluptuous 2012 vintage in Oregon. Score: 94. Reviewed May 14, 2015.

2008 Daedalus Cellars Maresh Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.4% alc., 24 cases, $60. From the oldest vineyard on Worden Hill Road in the Dundee Hills. 60% Wädenswil and 40 % Pommard clones. 32-day cold soak. Native fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light red cherry color in the glass. Terrific aromatic presence with vivid aromas of cherry and rose petal. Juicy and light on its feet, feminine in character, with a charge of cherry and red berry fruit on the attack and an amazingly long finish that seems to return in waves. Classy with a capital C. Ideal now, but could hold short to mid term. Score: 94. Reviewed February 8, 2015.

2012 De Ponte Cellars Lonesome Rock Ranch Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 502 cases, 102 magnums, $44. This vineyard is among the small number of vineyards located closer to the Pacific Ocean in the Willamette Valley. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels and 80% in 2-5-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas are enticingly fresh featuring black cherry, spice, peppercorn, rose petal and a hint of anise-laced oak. Stunning elegance with very suave, structured tannins supporting the mid weight flavors of fresh black cherry and black raspberry. Highly seductive, with a subtle earthy vein in the background. Easy to like now. Score: 94. Reviewed March 16, 2015.

2012 Hyland Estates Coury McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 375 cases, $60. Released September 2014. A limited barrel selection from self-rooted vines in the oldest blocks of the vineyard planted to the “Coury clone.” · Moderately light crimson color in the glass. The nose is both fruity (cherries) and earthy (mushrooms). Delicious layers of black cherry, black raspberry, plum and spice flavors that expand in the mouth and deliver a very long, pleasing finish. Beautifully crafted, with a sleek mouth feel and endless charm. Score: 94. Reviewed July 13, 2015.

2012 Van Duzer Bieze Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.50, TA 0.52, 119 cases, $60. This vineyard is adjacent Seven Springs Vineyard at 600 feet elevation. Jory soils. 100% clone 777. 5 days of extended skin maceration. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 44% new. · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Deep Bing cherry aroma with accents of sous-bois and floral bouquet. A very charming wine on the palate with vivid fruit flavors of black raspberry, cherry and plum with a compliment of spice, cola and nutty oak. The wine is very giving, with seamless tannins and a seductive texture that is like touching purple velvet. The entire experience is one of grace and polish. Still great the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 94. Reviewed May 14, 2015.

2012 Lachini Vineyards PRIMA Lachini Estate Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.72, 75 cases, $100. Second vintage of this ultra premium Pinot Noir which represents the finest expression of the Estate Vineyard’s terroir. This wine is only crafted in worthy vintages. 3 barrels: 1 of Dijon 115, 1 of Dijon 114, and 1 of Pommard. Aged nearly 18 months. The abbreviated crest on the special label indicates a dedication to the owners family’s heritage. The name PRIMA means “FIRST” or “BEST.” · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas leap from the glass showing zeal and purpose with scents of marionberry, blackberry, cassis, tobacco and Prada leather coat. Still a bit brooding and mysterious, but highly seductive, with a mid weight plus core of luscious and juicy purple and black fruits. The fruit seems to burst on the mid palate, filling the mouth with goodness. The wine’s tannins are well matched to the fruit load, and the resulting overall harmony is impressive. One feature that really stands out is the suave and velvety texture. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine had become more open and expressive. Keep this beauty in the cellar for another year or two at least for full enjoyment. Score: 93-94. Reviewed September 3, 2015.

2009 Airlie Vintner’s Blend Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.75, 186 cases, $32. A barrel selection. Sourced from estate Dunn Forest Vineyard (70%) planted in 1983 and 1991, and BeckenRidge Vineyard (30%) planted in 1978. Pommard clone. Harvest Brix 23.2º. Gently destemmed into 1.5-ton fermenters, 3-day cold soak, inoculated primary and secondary fermentations, aged 23 months in French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromatic mix of darker red cherries and berries. Very suave on the palate with a mid weight charge of black cherry fruit accented by a savory herb note. Wonderful balance with felt-like tannins folded in, juicy acidity, and a noticeably long finish. This wine has benefited from additional bottle age, but will drink well for many years. Score: 93-94. Reviewed July 12, 2015.

2012 Privé Vineyard le sud Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $69. · Moderately light cherry color in the glass. Enticing aromas of cherry, leaf, spice and balsam lead to a mid weight core of fresh and juicy cherry flavor with a whisper of oak in the background. Very elegant and more giving than the le nord, with suave tannins and a deeply aromatic, cherry-fueled finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle, the nose was more expressive. Two days later, the wine was still hitting on all cylinders. Patience will be rewarded. Score: 92-94. Reviewed January 23, 2015.

2012 Cornerstone White Label Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 1,500 cases, $50. Sourced from multiple vineyards in several appellations. Clones are Pommard, 115, 777, 114 and Wädenswil. Aged 16 months in 100% French oak barrels, 56% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose opens slowly in the glass to reveal inviting aromas of raspberry jam and cherry cobbler. Juicy, vibrant and beauty of flavor, offering middleweight tastes of black cherry and black raspberry with a pleasing touch of spice. Impressive grip and personality and highly enjoyable now, but with the tannic backbone to age. A very long and expansive finish seals the deal. Score: 93. Reviewed March 16, 2015.

2013 Knudsen Vineyards Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 200 cases, $55. A blend of grapes from three different blocks including clones 777 and Pommard. One of Willamette Valley’s oldest vineyards, established in 1971. · Light reddish purple color in the glass. This wine has one of those noses you want to go on sniffing, featuring cherry, cranberry relish, graham and sous-bois. The cherry flavor bursts on the palate, caresses the mouth, and persists on the finish. A touch of red strawberry and spice box adds interest. A cozy wine with modest tannins, a juicy grip, and a crisp finish filled with bombastic cherry goodwill. Score: 93. Reviewed September 3, 2015.

2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Bernau Block Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 2,000 cases, $55. Harvest Brix 23.0º-24.5º. Sourced from 15 acres of original plantings. Clones 667, 777 and Pommard planted in Nekia volcanic soil. Aged 10 months in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of fresh cherries and dark red berries. Vibrant on the palate, with sheer beauty of flavor, featuring perfectly ripened dark red fruits backed by integrated tannins. This special wine has a seductively smooth texture, impeccable balance, and finishes with uncommon length that resonates for a minute. Score: 93. Reviewed July 13, 2015.

2013 Winderlea Weber Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.60, 230 cases, $48 (sold out). Weber Vineyard was formerly named Ana Vineyard and with the first release under the new name, the longtime growers Arthur and Vivian Weber are celebrated. This vineyard has some of the oldest own-rooted Pinot Noir in Oregon, dating to the 1970s. Pommard primarily with some Dijon 777. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 8% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. The nose really impresses out of the gate with soaring aromas of red cherry and spice. Delicious attack of deep cherry flavor with added notes of spice and cola. Well-matched tannins and a slightly gravelly texture add to the appeal. A complete, vibrant wine that really wakes up the senses. Score: 93. Reviewed November 6, 2015.