Today we share some of the finest wines of Oregon. Holocene began in 2015 and the new releases come from the warm 2023 vintage — one that was hot but had few major heat spikes. 2023 continues a long line of warmer vintages in Oregon, -- years like ’16, ’18, ’20 and now ’23. Regardless of vintage winemaker Todd Alexander has crafted consistently great wines for this brand. I’ve now tried every vintage of this wine and I have also found that the wines have gotten better and better.
I love the 2023 Holocene ‘Memorials’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which has terrific depth and flavor density from this site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Learn more about this awesome Oregon outpost at http://holocenewines.com Here are the beautiful new 2023 release wines by Holocene.
2023 Holocene ‘Memorials’ Pinot Noir- Initially first made in 2015, the 2023 ‘Memorialis’ is a 360 case production wine from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It is 100% whole-cluster fermented and stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This is concentrated, gorgeous stuff, loaded with crunchy red fruits that parade with menthol, white pepper, exotic spices and shades of blood orange zest. Full-bodied and beautifully-textured, enjoy this beauty now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Give this 30 plus minutes in the decanter if enjoying in its heady youth. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2023 Holocene ‘Sidereal’ Pinot Noir- The astonishingly good and very pure 2023 ‘Sidereal’ is 100% Pommard clone Pinot Noir that was all whole-cluster fermented. It is sourced from a small, 7-acre parcel in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Guava puree and Yakima cherry notes mark the nose alongside suggestions of cardamom dusted orange peel and salty soils. A bright salinity bursts through the core of pure red fruits, alongside crushed wet rock, and peat moss accents on the palate. Showing really good length and viscosity, this is a marvelous warm-vintage showing that is already nicely evolved. Just give this about 30 minutes in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2025-2040- 96