2017 Oregon Pinot Noir All-Americans

First Team Wines

2014 Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 97 ….reserved but alluring nose….unctuous on the palate….perfectly ripened fruit flavors….infatuating….will stay the long course.

2014 Walter Scott Temperance Hill Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 97 ….at loss of words to describe joyful nose….reflects Temperance Hill terroir….vigorous flavors….perfect harmony….captivating.

2015 Evening Land Seven Springs Estate La Source Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 96 ….welcoming aromas….delicious and seductive….rather elegant….inviting Pinot delicacy….a memorable wine.

2015 Knudsen Vineyards Estate Reserve Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 96 ….riveting aromas and flavors….charming dose of spice….sophisticated….seamless texture….grand finish….collectible.

2014 Phelps Creek Cuvée Alexandrine Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir 96 ….remarkably complex nose….very sophisticated….built to age….enjoy for its complexity and longevity….needs more time in cellar.

2016 Privé Joie de Vivrie Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir 96 ….brooding aromas….heavenly texture and balance….outlandish finish….a tour de force

2012 Privé le sud Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir 96 ….appealing scents….delicious bombastic wine….richness of flavor and energetic verve….luscious and satiny….dreamy.

2015 Brick House Evelyn’s Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 95 ….clearly a special wine, seductive aromas….impression of boldness and ripeness….sturdy backbone of tannins matches sappy fruit….finish lingers indefinitely.

2014 De Ponte Cellars Baldwin Family Reserve Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 95 ….luxurious deep black cherry perfume….deliciously ripe fruits….dreamy….long finish is almost too good to be true.

2014 Trisaetum Family Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 95 ….heady scents….cashmere texture….mouth coating sap….finish grand cru in spirit….connoisseur’s wine.

2014 Trisaetum Estate Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 95 ….grand nose….gloriously fresh aromas….a flavor explosion greets palate….suede tannins….remarkably long finish.

Second Team Wines

2015 Broadley Vineyards Jessica Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 95 ….silky in mouth….vivacious core of dark fruits really grab your attention….boldly structured….finishes with intensity and purpose….marvelous.

2014 Brooks Rastaban Brooks Estate Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 95 ….intoxicating nose….very classy….impeccably balanced….pleasing earthiness….impressive polish and verve.

2014 Gran Moraine Estate Reserve Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 95 ….aromas rise up over time….onslaught of flavors….big by Oregon standards….great depth of fruit….soothing texture….a good friend now but will benefit from cellaring.

2015 Evening Land Seven Springs Estate Anden Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 95 ….very fulfilling in mouth….whole cluster fermented demeanor….intriguing savory underpinning….juicy finish.

2015 Walter Scott Seven Springs Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 95 ….open and giving…. soaring aromas….superb harmony….regal spiced fruit….quenching finish and invigorating acidity

2015 Brick House Cuvée de Tonnelier Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 94 ….clean and fresh aromas….beautifully elegant….masterfully crafted….everything is in sync….glorious finish.

2014 Brooks Crannell Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 94 ….engaging aromas….delicious cherry pie core….suave tannins….cherry-driven finish lasts a minute.

**2015 Compton Family Wines Alpine Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 94 Also a best value $38. ….exceptional aromatic seduction, a gift from heaven….outstanding harmony….darker, riper fruit package….Pinot royalty.

2015 de Lancellotti Lachini Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir 94 ….a comforting wine….vivid flavors….impressive mid palate intensity….satiny in texture….right touch of oak.

2015 de Lancellotti Onelia Willmette Valley Pinot Noir 94 ….array of aromas….remarkable attack….seamless….silky and sexy….charitable red fruited goodness on finish.

2014 De Ponte Cellars Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 94 ….dreamy nose….delicious….elegant and silky….memorable finish….a step up in class.

2015 Siduri Hawk’s View Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 94 ….a real charmer….juicy, forward and elegant….balletic character….thoroughly delightful.

2014 Kramer Vineyards Heritage Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 94 ….nose builds in charity over time in glass….gentle in the mouth….bright acidity….superb balance….compelling package.

2014 Lenné cinq élus Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 94 engaging aromas….delicious core of fruits….envelopes the taste buds….very long finish….truly age worthy.

2015 Lingua Franca Ryan’s Plow Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 94 ….seductive aromas….elegantly composed….vibrant flavors….suave tannins….noticeable mid palate intensity….remarkable finish.

2015 Lingua Franca Tongue n’ Cheek Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 94 ….penetrating aromas….vivid essence of fresh dark red cherries….earthbound….expansive in the mouth….tenacious finish.

2015 Nicolas-Jay Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 94 ….a very interesting wine evolves over time….highly pleasing aromas….soft in the mouth….sleek, rewarding finish….more cordial with decanting.

**2014 Phelps Creek Vineyards “Beehive” Columbia Gorge Pinot Noir 94 Also a best value $38. ….intriguing aromas….flat-out delicious and very showy….skillful oak management….incredibly glorious cherry finish.

2015 Soléna Domaine Danielle Laurent Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 94 ….sophisticated, haunting wine….right combination of fruits and savory earthen notes….impressive harmony.

2015 Soléna Prince Hill Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 94 ….a very showy wine….charming aromas….silky smooth….very giving now….unrelenting juiciness….very lengthy finish.

2013 Tendril C Note Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 94 ….array of pleasurable aromas….feminine perfume….waves of fruit….textural charm….extra long finish….a special wine.