One of the west coast’s most beautiful wineries, King Estate is nestled in the southern end of the Willamette Valley. King Estate is one of the few wineries in North America (potentially the only one) where more vines of Pinot Gris are grown than any other varietal. There is a reason for this — year after year King Estate delivers two of the best Pinot Gris bottling in the state, with their entry level wine and their top of the line ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris. I have had every ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris back to 2011 and I have been pretty overwhelmed with the quality in this bottling which shows amazing texture and range. These also age marvelously as I did a retrospective on these wines a few years back and found them to be standout wines in even hot vintages.
I recently visited this winery and met with their winemaker, Brent Stone, who has been at the helm since 2011. He has become a sensational winemaker, crafting beautiful Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines. He has crafted an outstanding new wine with his 2018 King Estate Pinot Gris (WWB, 90) which is really showing good freshness and bright kiwi and gooseberry fruits. One of the outstanding Pinot Gris bottling I have had in the past year, their 2017 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris (WWB, 93) which is wonderfully dense and shows incredible opulence and texture. This wine has a wonderful seamless quality that impresses with the great sense of minerality. This is one to pick up by the case. Learn more about this famed Oregon estate at https://www.kingestate.com
2016 King Estate ‘Brut Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- This spent extensive time aging in the bottle, as the 2016 ‘Brut Cuvee’ shows yeasty and sourdough bread tones aromatically with baking spices and lemon zest tones shining together in the glass. The palate shows good freshness with a light dusting of salinity across green apple, green papaya, smoky minerals and shades of wild mushroom. The length and mouthfeel is really nice here as this great new wine will be best enjoyed over the next eight years. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2018 King Estate Sauvignon Blanc-Shades of green papaya and green apple greet you aromatically. The palate has great freshness with lighter green apple and melon tones with shades of lemon zest and minerals. Drink 2020-2023- 89
2018 King Estate Pinot Gris-The 2018 Pinot Gris by King Estate has great verve with a soft texture. Layers of kiwi and gooseberry with wet stone and green apple flavors greet you. This is pretty serious stuff for the price. Drink 2020-2026- 90
2018 King Estate Chardonnay-A newer wine to the King Estate lineup, the 2018 King Estate Chardonnay has layers of lemon cream and citrus zest with nutty undertones that round out the palate. Enjoy in the short-term while its freshness remains. Drink 2020-2023- 89
2019 King Estate Rose- A pretty bright pink, the 2019 Rose shows bright minerals with lighter orange rind and watermelon and sour cherry tones on the palate. Lithe and refreshing, enjoy this great new rose in the short-term. Drink 2020-2023- 90
2017 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris-The 2018 ‘Domaine Pinot Gris by King Estate is a sensational new effort from this famed Willamette Valley estate. On the nose this takes on salted macadamia nut with shades of lemongrass and kumquat that all take shape in the glass. The palate is fresh and vibrant with gobs of minerality and a truly gratifying texture. The length of the wine is seriously impressive. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth the 2018 ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris will cellar well for the next decade. Drink 2020-2028- 93
2018 Inscription Pinot Noir- Forward and fruity, the 2018 Inscription Pinot Noir leads with bright black cherry and damp earth tones on the palate, with lighter minerals. Drink 2020-2023- 88
2017 King Estate Pinot Noir-The 2017 King Estate Pinot Noir has lighter cola tones with bright red fruits and citrus rind accents on the nose. The palate is fresh, showing good balance with medium-bodied red cherry, red raspberry, underbrush and damp earthy tones. The soft texture really enties. Drink 2020-2028- 90
2018 King Estate Piinot Noir- Fruity, forward and bold, this shows the great warmth of the vintage. Layers of pretty red fruits dance with cola, rose water and citrus rind accents on the palate. The length here is really good as the 2018 King Estate Pinot Noir is best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 90
2016 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 ‘Domaine’ Pinot Noir is a stellar new bottling from this storied house. Loads of black truffles and damp earth aromatics come together with wild blackberry and shades of smoke that all take shape in the glass. The palate is vibrant, showing good weight and a soft texture. Layers of dark and red fruits dance with minerals, peat moss and baking spices on the palate. Delightful to enjoy right now the 2016 ‘Domaine’ Pinot Noir will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 92