One of the great Oregon wine projects, Toil Oregon is masterminded by superstar winemaker, Chris Figgins, who was enchanted by Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. A man needing no introduction, Chris has been crafting some of the best wines in Washington for decades at his family winery, Leonetti Cellar. Originally launched in 2012, Toil Oregon started with a production of 200 cases and it has grown considerably since then. The wines are sourced from a host of vineyards in the Willamette Valley and in 2016 Chris planted his estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. I eagerly await wines from that vineyard,
One thing I have noticed in the past several years is that the quality of the wines has increased as well. My guess is that Chris is becoming more and more familiar with making wines with the sometimes fickle Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape. I have recently tried an older bottle of Toil Pinot Noir and I found the quality to be excellent but not the upper echelon level that is found in their current release. The 2017 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) is a simply dazzling new release. Simply put, this Pinot Noir has it all — from beautiful red fruits and citrus notes — to incredible elegance and vibrant minerality. All serious Pacific Northwest collectors should take notice to this gorgeous new release. I was also blown away with the quality of their 2018 Toil Oregon Rose (WWB, 93) which is one of the best Rose wines in North America that I have sampled in the past year. This beautiful wine has an incredible texture and beautiful acidity. It is a gorgeous, stand alone wine that deserves serious attention. Learn more about this great winery at toiloregon.com Here are the brilliant new wines by Toil Oregon.
2018 Toil Oregon Rose- The nose is quite compelling once in the glass, as this beautiful Pinot Noir Rose awakens to unveil pink grapefruit blossom, rose water and red cherry candy aromatics that all mingle in the glass. The palate shows a beautiful texture and weight as this silky, stand along Rose shows a flair of Provence. Blood orange, guava puree and Meyer lemon zest flavors with lighter suggestions of peat moss combine with lip smacking acidity on the palate. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. Exceedingly good, highly poised and satisfying, this classy effort will be enjoyed over the next eight years, picking up tertiary notes as it ages. Drink 2019-2025- 93
2017 Toil Oregon Chardonnay- The 2017 Toil Oregon Chardonnay is a classy effort by superstar winemaker Chris Figgins. Needing an hour decant to be fully aroused, the wine slowly opens with wild mushroom, salted macadamia nut and lemon zest aromas that entice. On the mouth, this shows of a smooth texture with bright lemon rind, wet stone and earthy undertones. The exceedingly long, mineral and lemon zest-driven finish excites. Seriously good now, this will continue to develop over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2017 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir- The 2017 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir is a simply stunning new wine by this exciting project by Chris Figgins. This great new wine was largely stored in used French oak prior to bottling (31% new). The wine needs roughly a one hour decant to fully develop. Slowly awakening in the glass, the Pinot Noir opens with very pretty aromatics of ripe strawberry, guava puree, red cherry candy and orange rind that all connect on the nose. Silky smooth on the palate, the wine unveils a beautiful mouthfeel that entices. Ripe red fruits dance with wet stone, kumquat and black truffle shaving flavors. There is a seamless quality to this elegant wine. While delicious now, the 2017 Toil Pinot Noir will continue to evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 9