Sitting with Joe Dobbes in his house we share stories of his longstanding time in the Oregon wine industry. We tasted together and then headed to barrel taste his 2025 wines which show serious promise. Dobbes built and sold his namesake brand. He had a hiatus in wine and then built a new brand that focuses on wines from his his Orchard House estate the Eola-Amity Hills AVA as well as several other vineyards.
Purchased in 2018, his Orchard House estate is making some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in Oregon. I love his 2025 Iterum ‘Orchard House Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 93) which is one of the best wines of its kind in the state. Learn more about this outstanding house at https://iterumwines.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Iterum wines.
2025 Iterum ‘Orchard House Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- The outstanding 2025 Iterum ‘Orchard House Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc comes from their estate in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA and was stored in 25% new Acacia wood before bottling. Freshly cut grass and kiwi notes combine with nutty nuances on the nose. It is neatly-textured stuff with loads of melon fruits that combine with starfruit and white grapefruit. This is really good stuff, with excellent length. Drink 2026-2032- 93
2023 Iterum ‘Clone 114’ Orchard House Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Iterum ‘Clone 114’ Orchard House Vineyard’ Pinot Noir shows off beautiful red rose petals alongside orange peel, bergamot and salty soils. The palate is elegant, refined and shows a sensational texture with outstanding flavor range. Roughly 10% whole cluster fermented. Drink 2026-2038- 94
2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Quailhurst Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Quailhurst Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from the Chehalem Mountains AVA as Dobbes began working with this site back in 2002. The wine is all Wadenswil clonal selection Pinot Noir. Wafts of black truffle combine with pine needles and shades of dark currants on the nose. The palate is powerful and very earthy with a black fruit profile alongside shades of salty and stony soils. Showing outstanding length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Arlyn Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The awesome 2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Arlyn Vineyard’ Pinot Noir offers sandalwood and wet rocky nuances on the nose with shades of purple rose petals. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass. The palate is dense and delicious with a refined mouthfeel and outstanding weight. A powerful core of red and dark fruits follow, as this beauty has a long life in front of it. Drink 2026-2041- 95
2023 Iterum ‘Eola Bench’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Iterum ‘Eola Bench’ Pinot Noir come from vines planted back in 2012. Juicy strawberry, red cherry and red currants combine with blood orange zest on the palate. Gorgeous now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is neatly-textured stuff with serious texture and tension. Bright red fruits combine with salty soils and shades of red licorice on the palate. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard Wadenswil Clone’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard Wadenswil Clone’ Pinot Noir comes off wonderfully earthy on the palate. Damp herbs combine with shades of red raspberry, cloves and green herbs on the palate. Drink 2026-2041- 94
2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard Pommard Clone’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard Pommard Clone’ Pinot Noir is wonderfully earthy on the nos with black truffle shavings and peat moss alongside shades of dark florals. The palate is juicy and brimming with bright acidity and tension. Loads of slaty minerals combine with pretty red fruits and orange peel notes on the palate. Drink 2026-2041- 95