One of the outstanding Oregon estates 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, and has a decorated 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. Chris was named Soter cellar master in 2009 and has worked his way to the winemaker position. What I love about this new portfolio is their range of pricing including their second tier wines, Planet Oregon, which are outstanding for the price.
Soter has gained national attention for their sparkling wines. I absolutely loved their 2017 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Rose Sparkling Wine (OB, 94) which is sensational and highly nuanced with a silky mousse. Soter has a value wine in their portfolio that over-delivers for the price. The new 2018 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) which is deeply concentrated and shows lovely salty tones. This has some seriously good cellaring potential. Learn more about this famed Oregon producer at http://sotervineyards.com/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Soter Vineyards.
2017 Soter Vineyards ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- Needing a bit of air to fully unwind, the 2017 ‘Brut Rose’ by Soter shows off pretty grapefruit blossom with guava, raspberry and wet stone tones that all meld in the glass. The palate shows a beautiful purity of red fruits alongside tilled soils, orange rind and a soft mouthfeel. This is exceedingly refined bubbles with its stony undertones. The silky mousse and wonderful tension of the wine really shine through, as this outstanding bottling has a decade or more to go in the bottle. Drink 2021-2033- 94
2018 Soter ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir reveals a gorgeous bouquet. The aromatic range is exquisite from red rose petals to red currants, cigar box, wet stone and orange rind tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is refined and sinfully good. Broad shouldered with its deep core of guava puree flavors, woven together with red cherry and boysenberry cordial tones. But with more air this reveals more nuances with with nori and salty accents that flirt with cedar, and peat moss flavors. A gorgeous showing now at only three years of age, the 2018 ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir will continue to provide drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94
2018 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this Yamhill-Carlton AVA vineyard, the 2018 ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir saw 40% new French oak for twelve months prior to bottling. The palate is very focused and refined with a bright beam of salinity the runs through the core of ripe red fruits with tobacco leaf and forest floor undertones. Beautifully textured, with outstanding length, this great new 2018 Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94