I love winery projects that show outstanding range and terroir. Today we share an outstanding new Pinot Noir project started by Louis Skinner of Betz Family Winery. SUNU refers to the French statement which means emphasis on vineyard as the primary engine of wine quality and character, “Sous Nous,” which means “under us.” Louis crafts his wines from some outstanding vineyards in the Willamette Valley including two wines from the famed Shea Vineyard. Each site has its individual expression of Pinot Noir. Unabashedly a Burgundy lover, I know how passionate Louis is with these wines. Considering that he has not made Pinot Noir very long, I am really impressed what he can do with this varietal.
I was very impressed with these wines last year and this year’s wines come from the warm 2018 vintage, one that saw exceedingly warm temperatures in the summer and slightly cooler conditions at harvest. I have been impressed with what I have seen from this vintage in general and the SUNU wines show the ripeness of the vintage with a nice level of finesse. I really enjoyed the 2018 SUNU Pinot Noir (WWB, 91) which is sourced from a host of Willamette Valley vineyards and has a good texture and mouthfeel. Even better was their 2018 SUNU ‘Shea Vineyard East Hill’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which is delicate and round, showing gobs of mouth-watering acidity and very pretty red fruits. Learn more about this exciting new Oregon project at https://www.sunuwines.com Here are the beautiful new Pinot Noir wines by SUNU.
2018 SUNU ‘Oregon’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Oregon’ Pinot Noir shows forward and delicious ripe red fruits with shades of orange zest and peat moss on the palate. Nicely textured, with good length, this great new wine will be best enjoyed over the next eight years. Drink 2020-2028- 91
2018 SUNU ‘Shea Vineyard, West Hill’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Shea Vineyard, West Hill’ Pinot Noir shows pretty guava and ripe red raspberry tones that combine with suggestions of cardamom and peat moss on this complex bouquet. The palate is elegant, with a soft mouthfeel and loads of ripe red fruits, with damp earth nuances. Ripe and rich, with a good acid backbone, the 2018 ‘Shea Vineyard, West Hill’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2018 SUNU ‘Shea Vineyard, East Hill’ Pinot Noir- Needing some time in the decanter to fully evolve, the 2018 SUNU ‘Shea Vineyard, East Hill’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous effort by the talented Louis Skinner. On the nose this takes on a rich core of bright red fruits with shades of Mandarin orange rind, baking spices and damp earth tones. The palate is ripe and generous with a great dusting of salinity that produces a mouth-watering effect. Layers of ripe teaberry and guava combine with blood orange and wet stone undertones. Fantastic to savor in its youth, this beautiful wine from the esteemed Shea Vineyard will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2018 SUNU ‘Saffron Fields’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Saffron Fields’ Pinot Noir shows rich boysenberry, pomegranate seed and damp earth tones on the palate with good viscosity and tension. Not for the weary, with an excellent combination of weight and acidity, this great new wine will show well over the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 SUNU ‘Lonesome Rock’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Lonesome Rock Vineyard’ is set at 700 feet, as this wine features Dijon clone 667 and 777. Once on the nose this shows pretty red fruits with potpourri and exotic spices alongside the earthy undertones of the wine. The palate has great stony character with layers of pretty red fruits with blood orange rind, tobacco and shades of salty damp earth. This has great length as the 2018 ‘Lonesome Rock Vineyard’ will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2032- 93
2018 SUNU ‘Matteri’ Pinot Noir- Set in a windswept northwest corner of the Willamette Valley, the ‘Matteri Vineyard’ Pinot Noir by SUNU utilizes clones 115 and 777. Shades of teaberry and orange rind collide with guava and wild mushroom on the nose. The palate has great acidity and a mouth-watering finish as you enjoy the core of tart red fruits and peat moss tones on the palate. Really good to enjoy even in its youth, the 2018 ‘Matteri’ Pinot Noir is a formidable effort that will cellar well over the next ten plus years. Drink 2020-2032- 93