I fondly recall roughly fifteen years ago sitting at a table in Maui. I noticed that on the wine menu they had an Elk Cove Pinot Gris. It was very warm and this was going to absolutely hit the spot for me. I love visiting this winery with its scenic location perched high on a hill, with sweeping views of the Willamette Valley. An Oregon wine brand that has been synonymous with consistency, Elk Cove is a five generation family owned and run winery. Back in 1974 Elk Cove was founded after the Campbell family came across an overgrown homestead in the foothills of the Coast Range Mountains.
The five Campbell children helped work in the vineyards at Elk Cove as a family affair. Adam Campbell took a special interest and stayed close to home for college, attending Lewis & Clark and spending summers on the bottling line. Upon graduation he joined the business year-round to learn the craft of winemaking from his parents. Adam is now responsible for making Elk Cove’s wines. He now oversees six vineyard sites with 380 planted acres. I loved the new wines across the board. The 2021 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc (OB, 92) is fresh and beautifully textured stuff that would pair with a literal cornucopia of foods. Do not miss the 2021 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is deep and concentrated with beautiful red florals. Learn more about these outstanding wines at elkcove.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Elk Cove.
2019 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2019 ‘La Boheme Brut Rose’ is entirely composed of Pinot Noir grapes from the La Boheme estate vineyard. This spent three years en tirage, as the wine opens with a lovely bouquet of red florals alongside cranberry and red cherry candy. Soft and refined, with salty accents, this is drinking beautifully and shows beautiful poise and weight from this slightly cooler vintage. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2022 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc- The 2022 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc comes from old vines that are up to nearly 30 years of age. This was stored in stainless steel before bottling. Once on the nose this takes on delicious kiwi and starfruit tones that mingle well with stony accents. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture and generous melon fruit flavors. This is really good in its mineral-driven youth. Drink 2023-2027- 91
2021 Elk Cove ‘Mount Richmond’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Mount Richmond’ comes from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and comes from younger vines which are roughly six years old. Stored in oak puncheons and concrete eggs for 12 months, this delivers good richness and flavor density. Bright pear and honeydew melon flavors combine with stony minerals, vanilla cream and pie crust flavors. Nicely balanced, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2021 Elk Cove ‘Five Mountain’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Five Mountain’ was sourced from this sit-in the Chehalem Mountains AVA which was purchased by Elk Cove in 2005. The wine is brimming with juicy red fruit flavors with kumquat zest, damp earth and salty accents on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, this is juicy, delicious Pinot Noir that has some really good aging potential. Drink 2023-2037- 94
2021 Elk Cove ‘Clay Court Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 ‘Clay Court’ Pinot Noir spent ten months in 20% new French oak prior to bottling and comes from this hillside site on Parrett Mountain. Sourced from Dijon clonal selections 115, 777 as well as Pommard clone Pinot Noir, this delivers a smooth mouthfeel on the approach with juicy guava, red currant, salmonberry and sous bois notes on the palate. Finishing long, this is a beautiful example of Oregon Pinot Noir from a warm vintage. Drink 2023-2037- 94
2021 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ is a stunning wine made from Pommard clone Pinot Noir from their estate La Boheme Vineyard. Vines at this site are nearly 40 years old. This displays a sterling sense of tension in the mouth. Pretty guava and cran-pomegranate fruit flavors combine with salty soils, white truffle shavings and shades of orange zest. Full-bodied and delicious, watch this beautiful evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2023-2038- 94