One of the vineyards with a longstanding history in the Willamette Valley, Knudsen Vineyards was founded by Oregon wine pioneers Cal and Julia Lee Knudsen in 1971. Located centrally in the Dundee Hills AVA, the Knudsen family has grown grapes at this location for 45 years. I have long admired the Argyle wines sourced from this great vineyard as these grapes have helped produce some of the top sparkling wines made in North America.
After the passing of Cal Knudsen in 2009, his children, each of whom had followed individual pursuits in business and finance, were compelled to return to the vineyard and then start Knudsen Vineyards winery in 2014 with the help of Argyle winemaker Nate Klostermann, and with the assistance of Rollin Soles. Nate and Rollin are spectacular winemakers who have an incredible handle on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The new wines by Knudsen Vineyards were seriously good, as were the last few releases. I love the consistency that the winery is starting to produce. The 2017 Knudsen Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) has wonderful dense weight on the palate, showing good earthy tones alongside minerals and red fruits. This beautiful wine will cellar well for a decade. Learn more about these fantastic wines at http://knudsenvineyards.com Here are the fantastic new Pinot Noir release by Knudsen Vineyards.
2017 Knudsen Vineyards ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir- Translucent in color, the 2017 Knudsen Vineyard Pinot Noir begins with gorgeous cinnamon stick and clove aromatics that sing with red currants and peat moss tones on the nose. The palate is soft and generous, unveiling a dazzling array of bright red and dark fruits that mingle with the wild mushroom and mineral tones on the palate. The silky texture impresses as this beautiful new wine will cellar well for a decade. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2017 Knudsen Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir by Knudsen Vineyards is a barrel selection wine by Nate Klostermann. More dense on the nose than the entry level bottling, this shows suggestions of white truffle and wild blackberry that mingle with the earthy undertones. Soft and generous on the palate, this shows of a beautiful mouthfeel. Red and dark fruits mingle with minerals and shades of caramel and peat moss on the palate. The sense of balance is gorgeous here. While a delight to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2033- 92