Vineyard: Beacon Hill

AppellationYamhill-Carlton District
StoryEarly plantings (1988) are own-rooted Pommard and Wädenswil clones. Later plantings by Tony Soter (1998-2004) include "heirloom" clones. Soter sold the vineyard in 2005.
VarietiesPinot Noir

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 WildAire Timothy Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.71, 293 cases, $35. Released April 2016. Named to honor Matt Driscoll’s father. The wine is composed of the cellar’s best barrels and varies from year to year. Sourced from Yates Conwill Vineyard (Pommard and 777) and Beacon Hill Vineyard (Pommard). Harvest Brix 25.0º. 100% de-stemmed, 10-day cold soak, both native and inoculated yeasts, 25 days on the skins, aged 14 months in 33% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy aromas of cherry, woodland and spice. Much more expressive in the mouth, with an explosion of blueberry, pomegranate and marionberry fruit flavors that invade and saturate the palate. Accents of oak-driven spice and vanilla add interest. Toned tannins and spot-on acidity hold the fruit in check, creating a seamless impression. The finish is immense in this joyful wine. Score: 92. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 WildAire Beacon Hill Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.71, 97 cases, $45. Released April 2016. The Beacon Hill Vineyard is located southeast of Gaston and certified LIVE. 29- acres are planted to multiple clones of Pinot Noir in marine sedimentary soils. This wine comes from an ownrooted block of Pommard clone that was planted in 1988. Harvest Brix 25º. 100% de-stemmed, 10-day cold soak, more than 22 days on the skins, aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Outstanding nose with bright aromas of cherry, strawberry and herb field. This mid weight wine is primarily red fruited, offering seductive flavors of cherry and strawberry accented with savory herbs, baking spice and smoky, toasty oak. Impeccable balanced, with fine-grain tannins, juicy acidity and a persistent finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the oak overlay had lessened and one can expect this to occur with more time in the bottle as this is a young wine. Score: 92. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 White Rose Estate Beacon Hill Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pommard Clone Pinot Noir

12.3% alc., $50. 50% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in French oak barrels, 17% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Darker cherry and cranberry aromas and flavors in a mid weight style with a fine-grain tannic structure and a brisk acid backbone Score: 88-89. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 White Rose Estate Beacon Hill Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Wädenswil Clone Pinot Noir

12.4% alc., $50. 50% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in French oak barrels, 17% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. The nose leads with aromas of cherry, rose petal and sous-bois. Light to mid weight red fruits are featured in a leaner style wine with good grip and a slightly astringent finish. Score: 88-89. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Soter Beacon Hill Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

$39. Noted winemaker Tony Soter (Etude) has recently moved to Oregon for good and is crafting Pinot Noir from his 20-acre hillside Beacon Hill Vineyard on the north fork of the Chehalem Valley. The Soter philosophy is to craft limited quantities of superb wines that fully express their sites, and in doing so remain stewards of the land and conscious of the well-being of future generations. Tony also produces a terrific Vin Gris of Pinot Noir and a marvelous Brut Rosé. · A comforting wine with ripe fruit aromas, cherry and cocoa flavors, coating tannins, and a long and intense finish. Reviewed August 6, 2007 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Soter Beacon Hill Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $48. · Hi-tone red cherry fruit of great purity in the aromatics with a hint of red licorice. Lovely and understated arsenal of cherry fruit, a suave texture and brisk acidity on the finish. A sophisticated wine of great breeding. Still some unresolved tannins - give it 6-12 months to soften. Tres Pinot. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »