Willamette Valley Vineyards
Willamette Valley Vineyards
8800 Enchanted Way SE
Turner, OR 97392
I am a fan of Oregon wines and in particular Oregon Pinot Noirs. Willamette Valley Vineyards sent me three of their wines to try and was very glad to get to them. All of these wines are darn low in alcohol, and I am all about the low.
I happened to request a Chardonnay and it was actually nice to NOT get a Chablis style Chardonnay. I know that malolactic fermentation style is out right now (and mark my words the popularity will come back eventually). It doesn’t mean all oaky Chardonnays equal butter bombs. There is a balance out there. Embrace it people! Medium gold with aromas of apple and pear, vanilla, hints of oak, hazelnut and a wisp of wet stone. Lychee, creme brulee and a crisp finish. Yum.
2007 ESTATE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
The label here is 2006, but I guess the 2007 is still pretty new! 14 in months French oak is always good in my book. A 13.5% alcohol, light medium red Pinot with youthful aromas of light wood, figs, vanilla creme, clove, fresh red berries and ending with dry black currants. Moderately jammy with raspberry and black cherry and the barest hint of cinnamon. It wouldn’t be a bad idea cellar it for another 6 months or a year. Would probably round out ever further. A lively crisp finish.
2008 WHOLE CLUSTER FERMENTED PINOT NOIR
It is pretty much the lightest, fruitiest wine I have ever tasted. And that’s not necessarily a terrible thing, it’s just very different. You have to put it in perspective. Yes, it’s super thin. But I was expecting a Louis Latour water acid bomb and was greeted by a low 12.5% alcohol rosey Pinot with super strong fruit punch, strawberry gummies and watermelon candy. Not starburst juicy berry candy, but literally soft liquid cotton candy. Make no mistake, it’s a dry wine. It’s just a fooling sensation of sweet candy.
This is THE wine for someone who is adamant against the real thing and will only do something like a wine cooler or arbor mist. Because this is real, but it is super light, super fruit and just enough tannin the get’em used to going in the correct direction. Interesting.
Thanks to Willamette Valley Vineyards for a fun experience!
