One of the dazzling producers of Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that you might not have heard of, Ayoub is the brainchild of Mo Ayoub who has been producing world class Pinot Noir wines for more than a decade. Back in 2001 Mo Ayoub planted his namesake vineyard and began crafting his wines in 2004. Each Pinot Noir artfully showcases its individual site as these are highly memorable and terroir-driven Pinot Noir wines. Mo made the great decision to work with with one of the great winemaking talents in Oregon, consulting winemaker Robert Brittan. I’ve been enamored by Robert’s wines for years and his very special vineyard. Ayoub for years has made a thrilling wine from the Brittan Vineyard that showcases the outstanding stony terroir that is unique to this location.
I recently had the chance to review all of the new releases from this storied winery. The wines were every bit as good as they were from the 2017 vintage. Look to the simply magical 2018 Ayoub Vineyards Chardonnay (WWB, 94) which has a massive amount of freshness and verve, with plenty of exotic appeal. This is truly one of the great Chardonnay wines made in Oregon. Learn more about the beautiful Ayoub wines at https://www.ayoubwines.com Here are the great wines by Ayoub.
2018 Ayoub Chardonnay- The 2018 Ayoub Chardonnay is a gorgeous new bottling by the talented Mo Ayoub. Bright and showing tons of tension and minerality, the light dusting of salinity entices. Ripe Pazzaz apple and nutmeg alongside minerals and damp earthy tones all collide in the glass. The combination of freshness and viscosity is stunning with its intense citrus zest and lighter nutty and earthy undertones on the palate. Vibrant and full of life, the 2018 Ayoub Chardonnay will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 94
2018 Ayoub ‘Memoirs’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Memoirs’ Pinot Noir is a brilliant wine made each year by Mo Ayoub that celebrates one of his family members. This year is a touching tribute to Mo’s brother, Moueness, who sadly passed away in 2019. The wine is a fitting memoir showing silky layers of bright red fruits with wet stone and citrus rind accents. Sensational right now to savor, this outstanding new wine will enjoy another decade of life ahead of it. Rest in peace Moueness. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2018 Ayoub ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a sensational new wine by superstar winemaker Mo Ayoub. On the nose this takes on bright red fruits with black truffle shavings and peat moss undertones that all meld in the glass. On the attack you are greeted to a silky texture and wonderful elegance as this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Cran-cherry and suggestions of white truffle and forest floor flavors combine with lovely citrus rind accents. A complete, wine, this gorgeous effort will enjoy decades of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2038- 95
2018 Ayoub ‘Estate Whole Cluster’ Pinot Noir- The seriously good 2018 Ayoub ‘Estate Whole Cluster’ Pinot Noir opens with spicy aromatics that combine with the core of rich red fruits and damp earth undertones on the nose. The palate has gobs of mouth-watering acidity with sulky tannins that line the core of red cherry, guava and cranberry flavors, alongside some earthy undertones. While I don’t enjoy this quite as well as the non-whole cluster wine, it is an awesome new Pinot Noir that will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2018 Ayoub ‘Anonimo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2018 ‘Anonimo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir by Ayoub shows a rich core of sour red fruits with shades of blood orange and peat moss on the palate. Lithe and layered, with a seriously good texture, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2018 Ayoub ‘Brittan Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Brittan Vineyard’ is one of the unique sites in the Willamette Valley, set on broken basalt. The stony aromatics really entices as bright Bing cherry and guava aromatics combine with the citrus zest and wet stone tones on the nose. The palate is vibrant, showing layers of citrus rind and tart red fruits that both dance with the gorgeous tension and sense of stony terroir. A complete wine, this brilliant new bottling will cellar well for decades to come — but is completely irresistible in its youth. Drink 2020-2035- 94