King EstatAs we march on another great Oregon Wine Month we bring you what is truly one of the west coast’s most beautiful wineries, King Estate. Located 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 bottlings for the price 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.
Each year I visit the winery and chat with their winemaker, Brett Stone, who has been at the helm since 2011. Brett crafts some beautiful Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines. His ‘Willamette Valley’ collection of wines has been synonymous with value. I adore the fresh and vibrant 2019 King Estate Pinot Gris (OB, 90) which has great viscosity and tension. For many years I have admired their ‘Domaine’ series which is a barrel selection and more limited production than their ‘Willamette Valley’ bottlings. One of the outstanding Pinot Gris bottling I have had in the past year, their 2019 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris (OB, 93) has good poise and weight. This really has another ten years in front of it! 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
2019 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Gris- Soft and beautifully textured, the 2019 Pinot Gris by King Estate shows gooseberry and kumquat tones alongside pear and shades of beeswax on the palate. The degree of tension and viscosity really makes this wine sing. Drink 2021-2026- 90
2019 King Estate. ‘Paradox’ Pinot Gris- The 2019 ‘Paradox’ is a new bottling that showcases barrel-aged Pinot Gris. It comes off very generous on the palate with ripe peach, Japanese pear and kiwi flavors that mingle with nutty undertones. Drink 2021-2027- 90
2019 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris- The 2019 ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris is a sensational bottling by the talented Brett Stone. The rich mouthfeel and vibrant sense of tension both impress, as layers of gooseberry, kiwi and Macadamia nut with tilled soil tones all brilliantly combine on the palate. Fantastic to enjoy now, this has another decade of life in front of it. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2019 King Estate ‘Oregon’ Sauvignon Blanc- Lemongrass and white grapefruit tones mingle with wet stone and minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2021-2024- 88
2019 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- Ripe pear and vanilla cream tones mingle with stony minerals on the palate. A touch lean, this is a fresher style that is best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2021-2025- 88
2020 King Estate Rose- The 2020 Rose by King Estate shows soft guava, strawberry, bubblegum and melon tones on the palate with plenty of acidity. The rich sense of texture adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2021-2025- 90
2019 King Estate ‘Inscription’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Inscription’ shows lighter tart red fruits with citrus rind and tobacco tones on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2021-2024- 88
2018 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir by King Estate shows off damp earth, cranberry and red currants on the nose. The palate is very fresh and vibrant considering the heat of the vintage. Bright red fruits collide with smoke, minerals and peat moss tones on the palate. Drink 2021-2029- 90