One of the longstanding Dundee Hills wineries, Archery Summit has sweeping views of the Willamette Valley and is a must visit for those who have never tasted these beautiful wines. Founded by Pine Ridge Winery baron Gary Andrus, Archery Summit sources from a host of vineyards across the valley, as well as estate fruit. The winery itself is stunning and has one of the most beautiful cave settings in the Pacific Northwest. Archery Summit has more recently dialed back their winemaking style gearing less towards new oak and more towards freshness and a prettier style of Oregon Pinot Noir.
During IPNC I had the chance to taste nearly every vintage of Archery Summit in 2018 and was floored by the cellaring potential of these wines. A few years ago Ian Burch took over as head winemaker. Ian has some seriously good pedigree coming from Evening Land and I absolutely love his new wines across the board. Ian is humble and knowledgable and has crafted a gorgeous new 2017 Chardonnay (WWB, 92) which has great freshness and tension with a good sense of balance. I loved the 2018 Archery Summit ‘Archer’s Edge’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which has great weight and verve from this awesome, warm vintage in the Willamette Valley. Learn more about Archery Summit and their great lineup of wines at http://www.archerysummit.com. Here are the excellent new wines from Archery Summit.
2017 Archery Summit ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay- The nose is highly perfumed with layers of bright Pink Lady apple and nutmeg infused sourdough bread that are woven together with damp earth and wild mushroom tones that all sing in the glass. The palate has great freshness with layers of poached pear and vanilla cream that combine with a wonderful degree of freshness and damp earth tones on the palate. With awesome length, this beautiful wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Archery Summit ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir- Really strong bright red fruits with Mandarin orange rind, damp soil and a hint of cola that fall on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with with bright Bing Cherry, strawberry and shades of peat moss on the palate. The balance and richness is gorgeous. Drink 2020-2028- 92
2017 Archery Summit ‘Red Hills Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Set on volcanic soils at 360-570 feet elevation, the 23 acre ‘Red Hills Vineyard’ faces south and was first planted back in 1994. The palate is soft, round and generous, with a silky mouthfeel. Bright Bing cherry and citrus rind flavors combine with the teaberry and earthy undertones of the wine. This is simply outstanding by Ian Burch, as the 2017 ‘Red Hills Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2018 Archery Summit ‘Archer’s Edge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Archer’s Edge Vineyard’ was planted in 2007 and also has a southern aspect. On the nose a light dusting of damp volcanic rock brilliantly combines with sour red fruits and hints of tobacco leaf on this evocative bouquet. The palate is bright and downright juicy, with a great sense of minerality and weight. Layers of red fruits dance with citrus rind and forest floor tones on the palate, with lighter black truffle undertones. Seriously good in its youth, the 2017 ‘Archer’s Edge’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for a decade or more to come. Drink 2020-2030- 93