Sitting across from winemaker Brent Stone, we tasted and chatted about the warm 2021 growing season It had been several years since we had sat together and tasted on their sun-soaked patio. This edition of tasting was done indoors, as the rain fell from the late August sky. Such is not a typical occurrence at King Estate as temperatures this time of year usually are 90 degrees-plus.
Pinot Gris might be thought by Oregon wine lovers as the least expressive of Oregon wines but decades ago visionary Ed King realized that this end of the valley was perfect for making a world-class Pinot Gris. Winemaker Brent Stone has now been at the helm since 2011. He has been doing a fantastic job with the wines that range in SKUs from Sauvignon Blanc and Rose to Sparkling Wines and inky Syrah. King Estate is quite simply a must-visit, as arguably Oregon’s most beautiful winery.
For this tasting I feel that these are quite possibly the finest overall wines that I have tasted from this house in the past ten years. I love the new 2021 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris (OB, 94) which is the top Gris bottling from this house. In this wine Brent Stone selects only the top 1-2% of barrels as this wine exudes class with its flavor range and silky mouthfeel. I also loved the new 2021 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is just an infant in the glass, with loads of aging potential and fantastic concentration. Learn more about this famed Oregon estate at https://www.kingestate.com and here are my tasting notes from the new King Estate wines.
2021 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris- This outstanding Pinot Gris was stored entirely in stainless steel with weekly battonage before bottling. The winemaking goes through weeks of grading and trials for this wine. The 2021 ‘Domaine’ shows buttered brioche tones on the nose alongside green papaya, Macadamia nut and shades of cantaloupe. The palate is soft and refined with bright underlying acidity. Finishing long, this is beautiful wine that has another ten plus years to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2021 King Estate ‘Seven Rows’ Pinot Gris- The ‘Seven Rows’ saw two different frementaitons that saw five days cold soak on the skins at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Red florals combine with red cherry and shades of red raspberry on the nose. This saw Sur lie aging with weekly battonage. The palate shows a silky mouthfeel with ripe red and melon fruits that combine with the bright acidity on the palate. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2021 King Estate ‘Havlin Vineyard’ Gruner Veltliner- The Havlin Vineyard is located in the Van Duzer Corridor, as this was stored in natural oak and this saw weekly battonage before bottling. Green papaya and mango notes combine with suggestions of baking spices and wet stone. The palate is soft and refined with bright underlying finesse. This is really one of the best wines of its kind in Oregon. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2021 King Estate ‘Kennel Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This 2021 Chardonnay comes from the Kennel Vineyard which is led by John and Jeremy Kennel. This is not far from Croft and Freedom Hill Vineyards, as mid-Willamette Valley wine was stored in 26% new French oak before bottling. Aged for 18 months, this offers toasty brioche on the nose alongside nutmeg dusted apple, and shades of ripe pineapple on the nose. Showing a seamless texture this has beautiful underlying finesse with lemon oil and ripe tropical fruit flavors. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2021 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Noir was stored in 26% new French oak before bottling and represents the top one percent of Estate Pinot Noir barrels. Red currants combine with freshly tilled soils, Black cherry and shades of dried herbs. The palate is soft and refined with silky tannins that frame a core of red and dark fruit flavors. Finishing long, with good viscosity, this is already sgiwubg beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2040- 94
2021 King Estate ‘Dijon Clone 777’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Dijon Clone 777’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous effort from this warm vintage. Once on the nose this takes on layers of dark raspberry that combines with black truffle, and shades of wild blackberry on the nose. The palate is deep and concentrated with silky tannins and a rich core of dark fruits that combine with bright acidity, citrus blossom water and shades of stony terroir. This will age gracefully for another fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2038- 94
2021 King Estate ‘Chehalem Mountains Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This comes from a legacy vineyard that was planted back in 1968. This is the first vintage that King Estate has made this wine. Pretty guava and red currants combine with salty, stony soils. Fresh and vibrant with a soft texture, this is already nicely evolved stuff that will live on for decades. Drink 2023-2038- 94
2021 King Estate ‘GSM’ Red Wine- This is sourced from the Rogue Valley as well as the Columbia Valley. This was stored in a small portion of new French oak before bottling. Fresh and lively, this shows a soft mouthfeel, with savory and salty tones alongside black cherry and blackberry flavors. Drink 2023-2031-91