One of the outstanding producers of Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Toil Oregon is an exciting winery project by superstar winemaker Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar fame. 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. Chris is finally producing wines from his estate vineyard which has to be really thrilling for him. His first wine from the vineyard is his 2019 Rose, which is a total stunner.
It was several years back that I noticed an increase in overall quality of the wines. My guess is that Chris is coming more and more familiar with making wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are some of the most challenging grapes to mold. Chris has been making some of the best Rose wine in the Pacific Northwest over the past three years. It is no surprise that his 2019 Toil Oregon Rose (WWB, 93) deserves a place at the high table in top North American Rose. This wine is subtle and has a silky texture and wonderful range. The new release 2018 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) is nothing short of a stunning wine that has a gorgeous combination of ripe red fruits with damp earth tones and wonderful brightness from this warm vintage that saw seriously high summer temperatures and a cooler fall. I can imagine that these wines will continue to improve even more so with the development of Chris’s vineyard in Oregon as those vines age. Learn more about this great winery at toiloregon.com Here are the brilliant new wines by Toil Oregon.
2019 Toil Oregon Rose- Sourced from Pinot Noir grapes and showing off its vibrant hue once in the glass, the 2019 Toil Rose opens with lovely wild mushroom and damp earth tones that are woven together with shades of nutmeg, cran-cherry and teaberry that all take shape in the glass. Once on the attack the wine takes on a silky mouthfeel producing a seamless effect mid-palate. The generous length really entices, as this slowly unveils pretty red fruits that dance with rose water and shades of peat moss flavors. Subtle, elegant and truly outstanding, showing good texture and brightness, the 2019 Toil Rose will only get better with time, becoming even more round and picking up earthy tones as it ages. Drink 2020-2027- 93
2018 Toil Oregon Chardonnay- The 2018 Toil Oregon Chardonnay is another impressive wine that will have a long life ahead of it. Aged in largely neutral oak (27% new) for eleven months before bottling, the Chardonnay opens with sourdough bread and bright pear and starfruit tones that all mingle together in the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced and shows a great viscosity that makes this seamlessly glide once on the attack. The exceedingly long finish accentuates this great new wine. Drinking marvelously now, the 2018 Toil Chardonnay will age gracefully for at least another decade, picking up nutty and earthy tertiary tones as it ages. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir- The 2018 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir is a gorgeous effort by superstar winemaker Chris Figgins. Aged for eleven months in 32% new French oak, the Pinot Noir opens with layers of pretty red fruits that are woven together with peat moss, forest floor and citrus rind accents that all meld in the glass. The texture of the wine is downright awesome as rich cran-pomegranate and red cherry liquor flavors combine with the marvelous damp earth tones on the palate. The length of the wine is outstanding, finishing strong with red fruits and minerals. Great to enjoy in its youth, the rich, yet elegant 2018 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir will have another decade or two of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 94