Today we share one of the west coast’s greats for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Bergström Wines was founded by John and Karen Bergström as they planted their Bergström Vineyard on a 13-acre, south-facing slope overlooking the Willamette Valley back in 1999. One of their sons, Josh Bergström, moved back to Oregon after completing a postgraduate program in Viticulture and Enology in Burgundy in 1999. That fall Bergström Wines harvested their first vintage of Pinot Noir from purchased fruit and the rest has been history. Josh serves as general manager, winemaker and vineyard manager at Bergström Wines, and has been rather quietly producing some of the top wines in Oregon.
The wines come from the 2023 vintage which was another warm year and excellent growing season. I loved these wines across the board which beautifully showcase the range of terroirs throughout the Willamette Valley. I am enamored by the thrilling 2023 Bergström ‘Bergström Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 97) which is one of the finest Oregon wines I have tasted this past year. Dense and showing gorgeous tension, this has the ability to cellar well for two decades. Learn more about these sensational wines at https://www.bergstromwines.com Here are the beautiful new wine releases by Bergström.
2023 Bergstrom ‘Cumberland Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Cumberland Reserve’ is a blend from the five estate vineyards owned by Bergstom. This is a medium-bodied beauty that offers pomegranate seed and salty minerals on the palate alongside shades of orange zest and black plum notes. Fresh and elegant, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2023 Bergstrom ‘Le Pre Du Col Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Le Pre Du Col Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is sourced from this Ribbon Ridge Vineyard which is set on 60-million-year-old sandy sea-beds. This is marvelously salty, with ultra-pure saline-drenched red fruits that combine with blood orange zest and shades of pipe tobacco on the palate. Delightful now, with a smooth texture, good viscosity and weight. Savor over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2023 Bergstrom ‘Silice Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2023 ‘Silice Vineyard’ comes from this Chehalem Mountains AVA site that was first planted back in 2001. Wet rock and wild strawberry mark the palate alongside a smooth viscosity and loads of salty minerals. Fresh and polished, this is already beautifully evolved stuff that will go on for decades. Drink 2025-2042- 95
2023 Bergstrom ‘La Spirale Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2023 Bergstrom ‘La Spirale Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the Ribbon Ridge AVA, as this location set on ancient marine sedimentary soils was planted back in 2005. This is marvelously salty stuff, loaded with pure red fruits with red rose water and shades of Satsuma orange zest on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with great underlying verve, and slight wafts of white truffle, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 95
2023 Bergstrom ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The otherworldly 2023 Bergstrom ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was sourced from this Dundee Hills AVA location planted more than 20 years back. The tension and mouth-watering acidity really entices, as volcanic soils, pomegranate seed and guava puree all meld together on the palate, offering kumquat rind accents. Full and fleshy, this is a terrific edition of this wine that speaks to the vintage and site. Enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2025-2045- 97