As part of Oregon Wine Month we bring you one of the storied houses in the Willamette Valley, Soter Vineyards. Soter boasts of the famous vineyard sites in Oregon. Founded by Tony and Michelle Soter, the Soter 'Mineral Springs Ranch’ is a 240-acre oak savanna in the center of the Willamette Valley. The vineyard is certified biodynamic and was planted to 15 acres of Pinot Noir in 2002 and 2003, and an additional 15 acres in 2006. Two acres of Chardonnay were included in the 2006 plantings and are devoted entirely to our sparkling wine production. Small extension blocks have been added over the years to grow our total production to 40 acres. Having visited the winery several years back, it is a simply gorgeous site to sample their beautiful range of wines.
Chris Fladwood serves as winemaker, having a storied career which included several years in the Army, until dedicating his civilian life to winemaking. Chris has worked harvests in New Zealand as well as Bordeaux. He became cellar master in 2009 and has worked his way to the winemaker position. He has crafted some beautiful wines at many different price points.
Soter has gained national attention for their sparkling wines. I absolutely loved their 2015 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Rose Sparkling Wine (WWB, 93) which has superb freshness and a lovely range on the palate. Soter has a value wine in their portfolio that over-delivers for the price. I loved the 2018 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir (WWB, 90) which has vibrant acidity and a core of juicy fruits. The new 2017 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) is highly elegant with a great combination of earthy tones and dark fruit flavors. This is one for the cellar. Learn more about this famed Oregon producer at http://sotervineyards.com/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Soter Vineyards.
2015 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Vineyard’ Rose Sparkling Wine- This outstanding new sparkling wine bottling opens with lovely cran-cherry and damp earth tones that combine with the suggestions of nutmeg infused sourdough bread on this expressive nose. The palate is silky snooth, showing a soft mouse and delicate red fruits that dance with melon and Granny Smith apple flavors. The soft texture really entices here as this beautiful wine is best enjoyed over the next seven to ten years. Drink 2020-2027- 93
2018 North Valley ‘Classic’ Chardonnay- The ‘Classic’ Chardonnay shows light flinty tones that combine with bright orchard fruits on the nose. Lighter Gala apple flavors combine with minerals and damp earth tones on the palate. This is really good stuff that is best served at a cooler temperature, showing its brightness at its peak. Drink 2020-2025- 89
2018 North Valley ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- Aged in roughly 25% new French oak, the ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay opens with toasty oak and brioche tones that mingle with cantaloupe and shades of nutmeg that all take shape in the glass. The silky texture is downright awesome, as is the exceedingly long finish with vanilla cream and minerals. This gratifying new Chardonnay will be a long-ager. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir- The 2018 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir has ripe red and black fruits with a great mineral backbone. The combination of juicy fruits and acidity makes this sing as this excellent value Pinot Noir is best enjoyed in the short-term while the freshness remains. Drink 2020-2024- 90
2017 North Valley Pinot Noir- Aromas of teaberry and cranberry catch your eye as lighter wet stone and damp earth tones come together in the glass. The palate has good freshness and verve with juicy red fruits that dance with shades of nutmeg and cardamom infused citrus fruits on the palate. Enjoy this great new wine in the short-term. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2017 North Valley ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 North Valley ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir is an outstanding new release that is showing brilliantly in its youth. The freshness and verve of the wine really entices as black fruits mingle with minerals and smoky undertones on the palate. Fantastic now, this will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2017 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ is a 240 acre plot of land that is biodynamically farmed, located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The 2017 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir is a brilliant new release that has a long way to go. Highly perfumed, this takes the lead with very pretty red rose petal aromatics that are woven together with shades of black tea, peat moss and cran-cherry that all take shape in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, revealing its soft texture and wonderfully plush mouthfeel. Layers of bright red fruits dance with shades of food orange and suggestions of forest floor and wild mushroom on the palate. Showing amazing range, this finishes long with red fruits and minerals. A long-ager, the 2017 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2035- 93
2016 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir- Truly outstanding, the 2016 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir is a downright awesome new wine from this storied Yamhill-Carlton Hills estate. On the nose the Pinot Noir shows pretty guava and cranberry aromas which are woven together with ripe red cherry, wet stone and rose water accents that mingle together. The texture and mouthfeel is outstanding as layers of bright red fruits mingle with the citrus rind, wet stone and saline drenched damp earth tones on the palate. Showing marvelously now at the four year mark, the 2016 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 93