Vineyard: Dion

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Large Review of 2009 & 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs With a Few from 2008 & 2011 (9.7 5/9/2012)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir (10.4 2/8/2015)
DION Vineyard: Exceptional Pinot Noir in 2016 (11.34 11/17/2018)
Sips of Oregon Pinot Noir (9.26 6/23/2013)
Recently Tasted Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (10.42 11/19/2016)
Embraceable (and Affordable) New Pinot Noir Releases from Oregon (11.19 2/20/2018)
Recently Tasted Chardonnay (10.43 11/30/2016)
Oregon Chardonnay Gaining Prominence (10.33 7/6/2016)
Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir (10.33 7/6/2016)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

DION Vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2016 DION Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 342 cases, $30. Released April 2018. Clones 115, 114, 667, 777 and Pommard. Harvest Brix 22.4º-25.1º. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Aromas gain traction over time in the glass, revealing cherry, cola, spice and dried herbs. Light in weight in an easygoing and highly enjoyable style with a core of juicy red cherry, red berry and blueberry fruit flavors. A hint of savory herbs adds interest. Nicely balanced with some finishing generosity. This wine packs a lot of flavor despite being light in color and weight. Score: 90. Reviewed November 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 DION Winemaker’s Reserve Special Release Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 139 cases, $45. Release November 2018. A barrel selection from the best blocks and wines that are most expressive of the vintage anchored by clone 115. Harvest Brix 22.4º-25.1º. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Shy, but pleasing aromas of black cherry and rose petal. A very harmonious wine with great verve, very fine grain tannins, and a satisfying finish with honorable length. Middleweight in style, with vivid flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and purple berry with a hint of white pepper. A very stylish Pinot lover’s wine. Score: 93. Reviewed November 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 DION Old Vines Special Release Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 99 cases, $60. Release April 2019. 100% self-rooted, nonirrigated Pommard clone from a 10-acre block planted in 1976. Harvest Brix 25.1º. Aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. · This is one of those wines that elicits emotion from the first sip. Gorgeous perfume of spiced cherries and blueberry-pomegranate fruits. Vigorous with black cherry flavor that is long and expansive in the mouth accompanied by impeccable harmony. Flavor packed, yet elegant, with supportive fine-grain tannins, integrated oak, juicy acidity and a ridiculously long finish. It is wines like this that have me proclaiming that Pommard is my paramour. A flat-out beautiful wine! Score: 96. Reviewed November 17, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 DION Vineyard 115 West Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

14.5% alc.. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Enticing scents of dark red cherry and cardamom spice. The strawberry and cherry fruit core is similarly spiced and highly enjoyable. Quite open and giving, with silky tannins, bright acidity and good finishing generosity. The most exotically flavored of the three 115 wines tasted. This wine lands somewhere in between the 2011 and 2014 vintages in character. Score: 93. Reviewed February 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 DION Vineyard Old Vines Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 96 cases, $50. Release April 2018. Harvest Brix 23.5º-24.5º. Sourced entirely from a block of self-rooted, dry-farmed Pommard clone 39 years of age. Short cold soak, with fermentations starting naturally. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Light ruby red color in the glass. This wine has a searching quality all its own. It benefits from air exposure and was noticeably better when tasted a day after opening. Aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, strawberry and allspice. Very elegantly styled, with subtle flavors of red cherry, spice, orange tea and savory herbs. More flavors are discoverable to those who search. Good length in the mouth and an inspired finish that builds in perfume over time. This wine is the epitome of “femininity,” a term often attributed to Pinot Noir. Score: 93. Reviewed February 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 DION Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 240 cases, $25. Harvest Brix 23.6º-24.4º. Clones are 115, 114 and Pommard from vines between 13 and 36 years of age. Short cold soaks, many fermentations started naturally, on the skins 7-10 days. The wine was barrel aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Heady aromas of cherry, pomegranate and the slightest oak. A joy to drink, with an aggressive attack of black cherry fruit, persisting through a lovely cherry-fueled finish. A little spice adds interest, the acidity is fully integrated, and the overall impression is one of harmony and poise. Score: 91. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 DION Vineyard Estate Limited Release Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay

12.8% alc., 94 cases, $25. Harvest Brix 21.1º, harvest pH 3.20. Clone 76 picked early to preserve acidity. A blend of French oak barrel (20% new) and stainless steel tank ferments. · Very light golden yellow color in the glass. Reduction on the nose (struck match) that persists over time. Crisp and bright on the palate, with very delicate flavors of green apple, lemon and pear, ending with a lean, soprano finish. Score: 85. Reviewed December 1, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 DION Vineyard 115 West Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 50 cases, $35. Harvest Brix 24.4º. 100% clone 115. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Deep aroma of purple berries leads to a mid weight styled wine with sappy flavors of boysenberry and blackberry framed by invigorating tannins. A fruit-driven wine with uncommon length and finish, reflecting the warmth of the vintage. Score: 91. Reviewed February 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 DION Vineyard Winemaker’s Reserve Limited Release Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 125 cases, $40. (November 2016 release). Clone 115 planted in 2000 is the anchor of this wine with small amounts of clones 114, 667 and 777 from the same block and a little old vine Pommard for the first time. Harvest Brix 23.6º-24.4º. A barrel selection. Aged in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Aromas of strawberry, cherry and sandalwood lead to a lighter but flavorful experience featuring tastes of red cherry, cranberry and herbs. Beautifully balanced, with crisp acidity and harmonious tannins. This wine has more flair and length than one would expect from the light color. A rather delicate, feminine wine that delivers appealing charm. Score: 91. Reviewed November 19, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 DION Estate Limited Release Chehalem Mountains Oregon Chardonnay

12.3% alc., 90 cases, $25. Harvest Brix 20.1º. Grapes were picked after the September rain downpour. Barrel fermented and aged in both barrel (20% new French oak) and stainless with lees stirring. Full malolactic fermentation. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Awkward aromas of bruised apple, medicine cabinet and brioche. On the silky palate, the wine is bright with acidic verve which carries over on the tart finish. The core flavor is Granny Smith apple in a lightly weighted style. Under ripe with teeth etching acidity. Score: 85. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 DION Winemaker’s Reserve Limited Release Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 97 cases, $35. Harvest Brix 24.3º-25.0º. Clones 115, 114, 777 and Pommard. A barrel selection including for the first time a Pommard block. Aged 13 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate red cherry color in the glass. Lovely aromas of cherry, rose petal and sandalwood. Mid weight pleasing flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and fig with well integrated oak. Beautifully balanced, with fine-grain tannins, supportive acidity and a sexy, soft and silky texture. Riper in this vintage, but not too ripe. Highly enjoyable now, but will age long term. Score: 91. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 DION Vineyard Old Vines Chehalem Mountains Oregon Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 50 cases, $45. Pommard clone. Harvest Brix 25.0º. This wine is from the original block of selfrooted vines dating to 1976 and is the flagship bottling from this vineyard. Aged 13 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. The aromatics are so engaging I was satisfied just to inhale the perfume. Aromas of fresh cherry and wine cellar lead to a mid palate explosion of black cherry goodness that alerts the senses. A bit of complimentary smoke and anise plays in the background. Polished and velvety in the mouth, with balanced tannins and a sleek, lingering finish. This beauty is old vine Pinot poetry. Score: 94. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 DION Vineyard 115 West Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

13.1% alc.. · Light garnet color with slight bricking of the rim. Both savory and fruity on the nose, with aromas of cranberry, red cherry, herbs, underbrush and white pepper. Very delicately flavored, featuring cherry, cranberry and raspberry fruits that veer to the under ripe side. Nicely balanced, with tame tannins and a modest finish. A gentle soul from a cool vintage. Score: 89. Reviewed February 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 DION Winemaker’s Reserve Limited Release Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., 97 cases, $35. This 60-acre vineyard is located in the northern Willamette Valley on Laurelwood soils at 300’ to 500’ elevation. Proprietors are Kevin Dion Johnson and Beth Klingner. Clones 114, 115, 667 and 777. Harvest Brix 20.4º-22.7º. Latest harvest start ever. A barrel selection. 50% new oak. · Moderately light black cherry color in the glass. Rather closed with demure aromas of ripe black cherries and wintergreen. Admirable harmony and finesse with modest flavors of black cherry and plum backed by oak, finishing with slightly astringent tannins. Score: 89. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 DION Old Vines Limited Release Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 48 cases, $40. Own-rooted, dry-farmed Pommard vines planted in 1977. This block was one of the last picked in a late harvest. · Moderately light dark cherry color in the glass. Scents of black cherry, dark chocolate and seasoned oak lead to a very inviting core of black cherry fruit accented with notes of spice, tobacco, mocha and iron minerality. Rich and mouth filling, with a good structural backbone, and a very long, eye-opening finish. Score: 92. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 DION Winemaker’s Reserve Limited Release Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.3% alc.. · Medium cherry color in the glass. Very aromatic with waves of red cherry, rose petal, spice and herbal oak aromas. More savory than fruity on the palate with a core of cherry fruit enhanced with dried herbs and oak flavors. The tannins are silky and the texture very suave, making for easy drinking. Score: 89. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 DION Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., $22. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Scent of cherries, peat and a whiff of mustard. Tasty core of cherries with an underpinning of earth and herbs. Nicely balanced and easy to drink with soft tannins and lively acidity. Good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 DION Vineyard Limited Release Old Vines Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., $35. Self-rooted, dry-farmed Pommard clone planted in 1976 in Laurelwood soil at 300 to 500 feet. Aged 13 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This is one of those wines that you know is exceptional from the first sip. The beguiling aromas draw you in with notes of cherries, strawberries, nutmeg and other spices. Smooth, seamless, polished and flat out delicious, this wine sports middleweight flavors of perfectly ripened dark red cherries, raspberries, spice and dark chocolate. Supple tannins and a satisfying cut of acidity in the background. This wine is assertive without weight, showing restraint and modesty, yet delivering a load of pleasure. Quintessential Oregon Pinot Noir. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Dion Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Reserve Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 97 cases, $32. A 4-barrel selection aged in 50% new French oak barrels for 13 months. The barrels were selected for overall highest quality of the vintage as well as for the blend. First Reserve bottling. Clones 115, 667, 777 and 114. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with fresh aromas of dark red cherries and berries with complimentary oak spice. Substantial flavors of dark cherries and berries wrapped in generous tannins. Very soft and seamless on the palate with welcoming hi-tone fruit on the big, persistent finish. Very good. Reviewed May 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »