January 25, 2012
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Benton Lane Winery
| Owner(s) | Carol Girard, Steve Girard |
| Web site | www.benton-lane.com |
| Link to this site |
Steve and Carol Girard founded Girard Winery in the Napa Valley in 1980 and were known for producing falvorful Cabernets, but they fell in love with the Pinot Noirs from Oregon. In 1988 they bought the 1,860 acre Sunnymount Ranch, an old sheep ranch located in the southern Willamette Valley near Monroe. Planting commenced the next year. The vineyard is predominantly planted to Pinot Noir with seven clones on a variety of rootstocks. The estate 140-acre vineyard uses a combination of sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming methods.
Benton Lane Wines have a distinctive stamp image as a label. Two Pinot Noirs are produced: a value-priced estate grown Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and an estate grown First Class Willamette Valley Pinot Noir only produced when a special lot of wine becomes available. The wines, including a Pinot Gris, are distributed in 49 states and several international markets, and are available online.
Articles About Benton Lane Winery
Reviewed Wines
2008 Benton Lane Estate Grown Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.45%, pH 3.63, 16,670 cases, $26, screw cap. A featured winery at this year’s IPNC, Benton
Lane was founded by Steve and Carol Girard in 1988. The stamp label
is distinctive. 7 clones (Pommard, Wädenswil, Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777). Pneumatage employed (bubbles of air rise through fermenting wine breaking up the cap allowing excellent extraction of color and flavor. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels. Winemaker Chris Mazepink.
·
Lovely berry melange on the nose. An easy drinker that
is light in the mouth with flavorful notes of spicy dark red berries with an earthy
undertone. Ready to grace the dinner table now. Very good.
Reviewed August 9, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Benton Lane Estate Grown First Class Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., pH 3.77, 740 cases, $60. Classy label and screw cap. Only
produced in special vintages. A selection of the best lots in the cellar aged 16 months in
French oak barrels. The barrels were pre-blended to ensure consistency and then racked into barrels to complete the aging process.
·
Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass.
Wonderful perfume of spiced dark cherry and berry fruits, anise, and red
rose petals, picking up intensity over time. Delicious raspberry and
cherry cola flavors cloaked in ripe, fine-grain tannins leading to a pleasingly aromatic and persistent finish. A sophisticated wine that is both sensual
and beautifully crafted. This wine will find many fans.
Reviewed August 9, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Benton Lane Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $20 (winery retail is
$26), approximately 20,000 cases, screw cap. This family owned winery
dates to 1988 and is located in the southern Willamette Valley in Monroe,
about half way between Corvallis and Eugene. The 2007 version of this
wine is in current release.
·
Lightly colored. Intense aromas of ripe red
berries. Fresh strawberry and raspberry flavors with an underpinning of oak
and spice. Supple tannins make for easy drinking. Everything you could ask for in a
$20 Pinot Noir.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2008 Benton Lane Estate Grown Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.45%, pH 3.63, 16,670 cases, $26, screw cap. A featured winery at this year’s IPNC, Benton Lane was founded by Steve and Carol Girard in 1988. The stamp label is distinctive. 7 clones (Pommard, Wädenswil, Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777). Pneumatage employed (bubbles of air rise through fermenting wine breaking up the cap allowing excellent extraction of color and flavor. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels. Winemaker Chris Mazepink. · Lovely berry melange on the nose. An easy drinker that is light in the mouth with flavorful notes of spicy dark red berries with an earthy undertone. Ready to grace the dinner table now. Very good. Reviewed August 9, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Benton Lane Estate Grown First Class Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.75% alc., pH 3.77, 740 cases, $60. Classy label and screw cap. Only produced in special vintages. A selection of the best lots in the cellar aged 16 months in French oak barrels. The barrels were pre-blended to ensure consistency and then racked into barrels to complete the aging process. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Wonderful perfume of spiced dark cherry and berry fruits, anise, and red rose petals, picking up intensity over time. Delicious raspberry and cherry cola flavors cloaked in ripe, fine-grain tannins leading to a pleasingly aromatic and persistent finish. A sophisticated wine that is both sensual and beautifully crafted. This wine will find many fans. Reviewed August 9, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Benton Lane Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $20 (winery retail is $26), approximately 20,000 cases, screw cap. This family owned winery dates to 1988 and is located in the southern Willamette Valley in Monroe, about half way between Corvallis and Eugene. The 2007 version of this wine is in current release. · Lightly colored. Intense aromas of ripe red berries. Fresh strawberry and raspberry flavors with an underpinning of oak and spice. Supple tannins make for easy drinking. Everything you could ask for in a $20 Pinot Noir. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
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