Today we share the great wines of the 2015 vintage in the Willamette Valley. What is considered by most to be a stunning vintage, 2015 in Oregon meant warmth and consistency. 2015 fell between two other warm vintages, 2014 and 2016. I fondly recall the bold flavors coming from this vintage, as wines seemed to push richness but also have good underlying acidity. Bud break came several weeks early and most of the Willamette Valley saw higher than average temperatures during spring. A consistently warm summer saw harvest evolve earlier than most vintages. Just like 2014, the 2015 vintage yielded a large fruit set and large crop of ripe fruit. Sometimes when Oregon Pinot Noir is released, they need several years in the bottle. I always felt that the 2015 Oregon Pinots were sensational and very expressive once released.
2015 marked a special year for Lingua Franca’s Thomas Sarve as he had his first vintage as a winemaker. “2015 was fairly warm and it was a vintage that brought us everything to start Lingua Franca in the right direction. The vintage was very elegant yet powerful in some areas and vineyard. The Chardonnay grapes were fresh and delicate. I harvested my first grapes on Aug 23rd of 2015 which happened to be my birthday” he said.
For Raptor Ridge founder and winemaker Scott Shull he felt that 2015 “started early, hot and dry.” Things were moving along “Almost 3 weeks ahead of our norm, we had bud break in March and bloom by the end of May. It seemed every grape flower set fruit, delivering huge clusters and yields. Record summer heat, with 28 days above 90F during our June to Sept growing season, deeply ripened a pristine crop” he explained.
More glowing reviews came from Tendril owner and winemaker Tony Rynders. Tony has seen decades of Willamette Valley vintages and found his 2015 wines to show “impeccable balance and can be broadly defined as compelling” he said. “The proportioning of the wines is spot on for me. They are not big bruisers…but for me they possess all the right stuff. I also love the blue-fruit leaning flavor profile” he said. Tony has a penchant for 2015 as well as 2005. “I can’t wait for 2025!” he said.
Big Table Farm’s Clare Carver also adored the 2015 vintage. “With good fruit set, that set the stage” she said. “We knew we would have a long growing season ahead so the prudent gamble was to leave a little more fruit on the vines to slow maturation down so we could finish ripening in the shorter cooler days of late September and early October. This gamble paid off and as I believe you will taste, exceptionally balanced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with amazing aromatics, mouth filling flavors and yet the ethereal feeling of weightlessness.”
Big Table Farm once again crafted some stunning wines and I tasted them from magnum. I agree with the weightless nature of both of her wines. The wonderfully earthy ‘Sunnyside Vineyard’ and their seamless ‘Pelos-Sandberg Vineyard’ Pinot Noirs were scored 95 points. These are silky, elegant wines that are drinking magically right now. If you want some age worthy bottlings, look no further than the 2015 releases by Antica Terra and owner/winemaker Maggie Harrison. One of the wines of the vintage, the 2015 ‘Antikythera’ (OB, 96) is a knockout Pinot that is powerful and silky, like an iron fist in a velvet glove.
I was enamored by the wines made by winemaker and artist James Frey, as his Trisateum wines continue to somehow fly under the radar. The 2015 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) will blow your mind with richness, depth and flavor complexity. Bergstrom had a world-class set of wines made including the finest white wine I tasted, their 2015 ‘Sigrid’ Chardonnay (OB, 96) which has everything you want in a top Oregon Chardonnay in terms of weight, finesse and depth. Similarly, the 2015 ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) is complex and concentrated, really benefiting from a ton of air right now. For those who enjoy the stony terroir of the Willamette Valley, check out the 2015 Brittan ‘Cygnus Block’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) by famed winemaker Robert Brittan, as this shows very salty basalt tones.
One of the outstanding White Pinots made, the 2015 Tendril ‘Pretender’ White Pinot Noir (OB, 95) is soft, inviting and shows insanely good texture with serious flavor range from nutty to earthy tones. Taste this wine and you will see why Rynders is the world’s master of White Pinot Noir.
Wines by Dundee Hills stalwarts Domaine Drouhin and Domaine Serene were some of the finest wines of this report. I am totally enamored by the 2015 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95), which is rich and viscous and even still quite primary as this beauty will continue to flourish for decades. A killer value is the 2015 Domane Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is amongst the best wines for the price. This was so good even upon release and has evolved even further now. Finally, a wine that for me is the wine of the vintage, the 2015 Domaine Serene ‘Monogram’ Pinot Noir (OB, 98) is showing even better than when I first tasted in roughly five years ago. Sinfully good, dense and hedonistic, this barrel-selection wine is one of the finest wines that I have ever tasted out of Oregon.
It is clear that greatness was achieved throughout the top Oregon producers in 2015. These are wines that will be extremely gratifying for collectors to enjoy now and many years to come. Don’t be afraid to open many of these if you enjoy a heady, fruit-driven and spirited Oregon Pinot Noir. Here are the top wines from my 2015 Oregon Pinot Noir Retrospective.
00 Wines
2015 00 Wines ‘VGR’ Pinot Noir- This is now the third time that I have tasted the outstanding 2015 ‘VRG’ Pinot Noir. The wine has softened considerably and is just as good as my first approach several years back. Once on the nose this takes on layers of red rose petals that collide with damp earth, orange zest and suggestions of marionberry candy. The palate shows good stuffing and verve, slowly evolving into the earthy tertiary tones. Gratifying on the mouth, this viscous bottling is all leading to a very long, red fruit and mineral-laden finish. Already nicely evolved, enjoy this beauty now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2032- 93
Alexana
2015 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Noir- Very ripe right now, the 2015 ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Noir offers cola, black cherry compote, salty soils and suggestions of black raspberry on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with a good acid backbone, this is delicious to consume now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 93
Antica Terra
2015 Antica Terra ‘Antikythera’ Pinot Noir- Named after the Antikythera Mechanism which is a geared, bronze-age device that was created to calculate precise astronomical positions, this glorious Pinot Noir was sourced from their estate rocky vineyard in the northernmost part of the Eola-Amity Hills. Deep and concentrated, with very soft tannins, the wine shows off an ebullient core of red fruits that parade with orange blossom, and suggestions of freshly tilled salty soils. Finishing very long, enjoy this stunner over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 96
2015 Antica Terra ‘Ceras’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Ceras’ is another stunning bottling by winemaker Maggie Harrison. Hints of bergamot, Morello cherry, white pepper and kumquat zest all fill the nose. The palate is voluptuous and soft, with silky tannins that frame a core of Satsuma orange zest, guava puree, ripe cranberry and salty soils. Very weightless and seamless throughout the drinking experience, this is sensational wine to savor now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2015 Antica Terra ‘Botanica’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Willamette Valley, the ‘Botanica’ shows amazing aromatic range on the nose with blood orange zest, tilled rocky soils, dark currants and suggestions of exotic spices. The palate is a knockout with refined tannins and a silky mouthfeel. The glorious length and bright underlying acidity really make this tick. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 95
Archery Summit
2015 Archery Summit ‘Arcus Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The flagship Pinot Noir from Archery Summit, the 2015 ‘Arcus Vineyard’ is comprised of Pommard, as well as Dijon clones 667, 777 and 114. This Pinot Noir spent 9 months in 39% new French oak barrels prior to bottling. Very deeply colored, the 2015 ‘Arcus’ offers sandalwood, red cherry preserves and raspberry coulis with salty soils on the nose. The palate is very fresh and polished with a silky texture and wonderful length. This shows really nice concentration and poise from this warm vintage, as this is best savored over the next decade. Drink 2023-2034- 94
Cadet, Boutes, Francois Frères and Billon
Argyle
2015 Argyle ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard’ Sparkling Wine- This edition of the ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard’ is a 100% Chardonnay bottling that saw some extended lees storage before disgorgment. Lemon zest and sourdough bread flavors come together with beautiful tight bubbles and salty undercurrents on the palate. The length right now is outstanding as this beauty will easily take on another decade of life. This is Oregon bubbles, refined. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2015 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay- The 2015 ‘Nuthouse’ Chardonnay is a really beautiful showing now at the eight year mark. Silky smooth on the mouth, this shows a refined texture and a glorious level of flavor range right now. Banana, white peach, peat moss, salty minerals and Marcona almond flavors all brilliantly combine. This is becoming more and more earthy since it was released and I have little doubt this beauty will carry on for another eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2015 Argyle ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- Really delicious right out of the gate, the 2015 ‘Reserve’ comes from three separate vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Black tea, exotic spices and a nice core of red fruits greet you, with loamy soil accents. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir- A masterclass in 2015, I absolutely loved this wine upon release and love it even more now. Bing cherry, teaberry, pine needles and shades of baking spices all combine on the nose. The palate shows a great combination of weight and bright underlying acidity, with this wine emerging into the tertiary notes of wild mushroom and forest floor, with lovely red and dark fruits, with citrus rind notes adding to the nuance. A complete wine, enjoy this beautiful Pinot Noir now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 95
Beaux Frères
2015 Beaux Frères ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Very fresh, pretty and fragrant, the 2015 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir offers beautiful red florals on the nose with kumquat zest and shades of wet stone with ripe cranberry on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture. Layers of medium to full-bodied red fruits greet you, as this is quite forward and delicious now — nowhere near secondary tones. Enjoy now and easily over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93
Bergstrom
2015 Bergstrom ‘Old Stones’ Chardonnay- The 2015 ‘Old Stones’ is an impressive, terroir-driven bottling that is really singing in its sweet spot now. Downright oily and intense with its unctuous texture, this offers wet gravel and cantelope flavors that combine with ripe pear and toasted hazelnut on the palate. Still very bright, with sterling tension, this beauty will cellar well over the next eight plus years — but no reason to wait! Drink 2023-2032- 94
2015 Bergstrom ‘Sigrid’ Chardonnay- A barrel selection wine that I have not tasted for several years, the 2015 ‘Sigrid’ Chardonnay is simply a masterclass by Josh Bergstrom. The nose brings you straight to Mersault with toasty oak, marzipan, lemon rind dusted brioche and suggestions of cardamom. The exotic bouquet brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is seamless and weightless, showing great underlying verve and texture. A total stunner, the salty undertones produce a mouth-watering effect, as this top class Chardonnay is simply irresistible now. Drink 2023-2037- 96
2015 Bergstrom ‘Silice’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Silice’ is sourced from ancient sandy soils from the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Bergstrom has been farming this site since 2001, as the wine shows off a lush mouthfeel. Very pure red raspberry and guava fruits collide with stony and salty undertones on the palate. Very delicious and primary now with its beautiful core of red fruits, I see no reason to sit on this beauty. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2015 Bergstrom ‘Le Pre Du Col Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This comes from the 16 acre Bergstorm estate site which is located roughly a mile from the winery. Planted back in 2006 to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this opens with a very delicate array of red fruits that combine with tobacco leaf, tilled soils and suggestions of Earl Grey tea. Complex, round and generous on the mouth, this is drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve well for another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2015 Bergstrom ‘Winery Block’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Winery Block’ comes from the very small estate vineyard set on Calkins Lane in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. The nose is very pure with tart red berries alongside potpourri and suggestion of black truffle shavings. Rich and soft on the mouth, this revels in a deep core of red and black fruits alongside peat moss undercurrents, as this is delightfully evolving into tertiary notes. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2015 Bergstrom ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ was planted back in 1999 by founders John and Karen Bergstrom. The ‘wow factor’ bottling is drinking every bit as good as I first tasted it several years back — if not better. Intense pomegranate, cranberry and guava fruits collide with suggestions of white tea and salty soils on the palate. This is a masterpiece that is drinking exceptionally well now. Considering the combination of weight and finesse this beauty will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2023-2038- 95
Big Table Farm
2015 Big Table Farm ‘Pelos Sandberg Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (1.5L)- Coming from this site farmed by Don Sandberg, this comes off very translucent in the glass, those 2015 Pinot Noir shows off heady, aromatics of black tea, foraged black truffles, Asian spices, red currants, and strawberry starburst candy on the nose. The pallet is live and polished with a very soft mouth, feel and bright underlying acidity. A melange of red fruits great see you, with shades of bergamot and orange rinds, finishing with stony minerals fairy polish now at the eight year mark, this beauty will go for at least another eight years. .Drink 2023-2030- 95
2015 Big Table Farm ‘Sunnyside Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (1.5L)- Considerably lighter in the glass than the Palos Sandburg vineyards Pinot noir, the 2015 Big Table Farm Sunnyside vineyards Pinot Noir is a dashing rendition that shows the incredible promise of this vintage once on the nose this takes on layers of red raspberry, T berry time and freshly told soils that. The pallet shows a seamless texture with great underline finesse. A beautiful core of red fruits great see you as a mouth watering acidity brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Enjoy this beauty over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 95
Brick House
2015 Brick House ‘Les Dijonnaise’ Pinot Noir- Coming entirely from the Brick House Estate Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, this deep-hued 2015 Pinot Noir offers red currant cordial on the nose with exotic spices, tobacco leaf and shades of nori and enoki mushroom. Very fresh and beautifully textured on the palate, this shows a sterling sense of finesse, yielding peat moss and copious red fruit flavors on the palate, with mandarin orange accents. This is relishing its descent from primary to secondary tones. Savor this beauty now and over the next ten years, as this is drinking slightly better than first reviewed several years back. Drink 2023-2033- 94
Brittan Vineyards
2015 Brittan Vineyards ‘Basalt Block’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Basalt Block’ comes from this warm vintage in this very stony site that borders the Coast Range AVA. Right away this is very alluring on the nose with salted red fruits that collide with wet stone, damp earth and suggestions of white truffle crudo. The palate is very lithe and fresh with a silky texture and glorious sense of length. A complete wine, enjoy this stunning, very stony Pinot Noir now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2015 Brittan Vineyards ‘Gestalt Block’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant 2015 Brittan Vineyards ‘Gestalt Block’ Pinot Noir is sourced from this very stony two-acre site set on broken basalt and planted almost primarily to Pinot noir selection 115. This is a dense and powerful Pinot Noir and one with brilliant nuance. Beautifully textured, this displays ripe wild blackberry, dark currant, Morello cherry, wet stone and salty soil accents on the palate, with glorious length. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next decade to come. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2015 Brittan Vineyards ‘Cygnus Block’ Pinot Noir- Coming from this very stony site in the McMinnville AVA, the 2015 Brittan Vineyards ‘Cygnus Block’ Pinot Noir is a world-class bottling that is drinking beautifully right now. Ripe, heady and very gratifying on the nose, this takes on layers of fresh boysenberry, Earl Grey tea, exotic spice and suggestions of peat moss, with flinty undertones. The palate is lithe, polished and incredibly fresh with an underling sterling freshness, salinity and stony accents. This is just incredible wine to enjoy right now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 95
Chehalem
2015 Chehalem ‘Ridgecrest Vineyards Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 Chehalem ‘Ridgecrest Vineyards Reserve’ is a fantastic rendition coming from the Ribbon Ridge AVA in the Willamette Valley. It shows off a deep core once in the glass, unveiling kirsch cordial, cigar ash and peat moss tones on the nose with spicy red raspberry notes. The palate shows fantastic underlying acidity as your mouth quite literally waters after every sip. Finishing long with gobs of minerality, this is a flat out fabulous Pinot Noir that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2033- 94
Colene Clemens
2015 Colene Clemens ‘Margo’ Pinot Noir- Spicy and earthy, with a nice core of red fruit, the very forward 2015 ‘Margo’ is in a great place right now. Ripe strawberry, red cherry and a hint of sage all coat the palate, with plenty of underlying minerals. Drink 2023-2027- 92
Cristom
2015 Cristom ‘Eileen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Eileen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a great effort that has a long way to go in the cellar. Right away this shows off bright red fruit aromas that collide with crushed mint, tilled soils and suggestions of peat moss. The palate is very smooth and soft, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Drink now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93
De Lancellotti
2015 De Lancellotti ‘Anderson Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Very supple once on the mouth, the 2015 ‘Anderson Vineyard’ is silky smooth throughout the drinking experience. Bright pear and starfruit tones combine with vanilla cream and flinty undercurrents. A knockout, enjoy now and over the next several years. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2015 De Lancellotti ‘Famiglia’ Pinot Noir- The volcanic soil aromatics immediately gratifying on the nose here, as the 2015 ‘Famiglia’ exudes class with a soft texture. Bright red and dark fruits collide with shades of cinnamon, cloves and freshly tilled salty and rocky soils. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy this gratifying beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2015 De Lancellotti ‘Onelia’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Onelia’ is very intense and concentrated from this warm vintage. Cranberry, marine soils, ripe teaberry and red raspberry tones all hit the nose. The palate is refined, soft and very elegant. This is a super-seamless wine now at the eight year mark, with no rough edges. Savor now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2015 De Lancellotti ‘Lachini Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Dark in color once in the glass, the seriously good 2015 De Lancellotti ‘Lachini Vineyard’ shows off this incredible site with downright sexy flavors of guava and strawberry alongside stony and salty undercurrents. Highly gratifying on the mouth, and very seamless throughout the drinking experience, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
Domaine Drouhin
2015 Domaine Drouhin ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2015 ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir stands very translucent in the glass, showing off bright strawberry, red currants, baking spices and toasty oak on the palate. Still quite fresh and very fragrant, with potpourri notes aromatically, this beauty has still another decade of life in front of it. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2015 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir by the talented Veronique Drouhin is an astonishingly good wine now at the eight year mark. Once on the nose this takes on white truffle with ripe black raspberry, black tea and freshly tilled volcanic soils. The palate is very powerful and nervy with fantastic underlying tension. The mouth-watering acidity brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Intensely mineral-driven, with plenty of depth and concentration in its core of red fruits and earthy undertones, this is just starting to slowly evolve into secondary notes. This is a joy to savor now and will cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years to come. Drink 2023-2040- 95
2015 Domaine Drouin ‘Louise’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Louise’ spent 15 months in only 20% new French oak before bottling. The wine is quite bold and intense aromatically with sandalwood notes that combine with Earl Grey tea, a dusting of white pepper and heady red and dark fruits. The palate is viscous and rich with great underlying freshness. Layers of cran-cherry, juicy wild blackberry and forest floor notes all combine with baking spices on the palate. Finishing very long with bright red fruits and copious minerals, this is a stunner that has only started to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2040- 95
Domaine Serene
2015 Domane Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir comes from wine host of Domaine Serene Vineyards across the Willamette Valley. This is very concentrated once on the palate, loaded with dense red and dark fruits with good underlying finesse. Layers of citrus blossom collide with volcanic soils and suggestions of black tea and black truffle shavings. No need to cellar this beauty as this is absolutely singing now at the eight year mark. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Jerusalem Hill’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Jerusalem Hill’ is an intense, nervy effort that shows off a very deep core once in the glass. Needing about 30 minutes in the decanter to be fully evolved, this shows wonderfully earthy tones on the nose with white truffle shavings, rose incense, pine needles and suggestions of Chinese black tea. The palate is soft and refined with a silky mouthfeel and simply glorious length. Heady red and dark fruit flavors greet you, as this is refined, rich and mineral-driven Pinot Noir that is quite simply in a magical spot right now. Enjoy this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns’ Pinot Noir- The 35 acre, dry-farmed ‘Two Barns’ comes from this site which is located on the west side of the Dundee Hills AVA. The Pinot Noir is sourced form a range of clonal selections, as this was aged in 48% new French oak before bottling. Red rose petals mark the nose alongside salty soils, red raspberry cordial and suggestions of blood orange zest. The palate is concentrated and shows fantastic underlying finesse with a silky texture. Finishing long with pure red fruits and minerals, this is sumptuous Pinot Noir that is drinking beautifully now — and will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Cote Sud’ is sourced from this 24 acre, southern facing site that is located at their estate vineyard, set at 600-680 feet. On the nose this exudes class with ripe Bing cherry and pomegranate seed alongside smoldering stones, white pepper and suggestions of juicy kumquat. The palate is smooth and soft on the approach, as the seamlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. One of the more evolved wines in the Domaine Serene 2015 collection, this is showcasing gorgeous secondary tones of enoki mushroom, peat moss and stony undercurrents on the palate, alongside a ripe core of red fruits. Full-bodied and filled with finesse, just wait for the exceedingly long finish. Drink 2023-2033- 95
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Mark Bradford’ Pinot Noir- A magical, deep and concentrated new wine, the 2015 ‘Mark Bradford’ is one of the seven sites set on the Domaine Serene Estate. This location is set between 650 and 750 feet, on Jory soils. Very fragrant on the nose, this is already showing some nice secondary tones once given a one hour decant. Shiitake mushroom and freshly tilled loamy soils combine with shades of moss, ripe blackberry and black cherry tones fill the glass. The palate is deep and concentrated, loaded with underlying tension that runs through a loaded core of red and dark berry flavors. Salty and silty accents add to the enjoyment, as this finishes long with copious minerals and boysenberry fruits. A pleasure to consume now, this is only starting to fully hit its stride. Drink 2023-2038- 95
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Aspect’ Pinot Noir- The heady and intense ‘Aspect’ by Domaine Serene is a very rich and gratifying bottling of wine that is drinking marvelously at the eight year mark. This comes from the southern end of the Domaine Serene Estate Vineyard in the Dundee Hills as the Pinot Noir blends Cote Sud, Grace and Mark Bradford Vineyards. It is quite literally liquid silk on the palate, with serious depth and concentration. This tastes better and better with more air. Mainly led with kirsch, black raspberry and guava notes on the palate, with lovely stony and silty soil undertones, the 2015 ‘Aspect’ is absolutely gorgeous wine to enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 96
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This is now my second soiree into the the scintillating 2015 ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir by Domaine Serene in the past year. The first effort was for my 42nd birthday and I will be the first to admit that it needed more time in the decanter before it was consumed by myself and friends. This second uncorking is also a reminder that this wine really needs time. But once aroused after a two hour decanter, now that is when the show begins. Brilliant boysenberry and marionberry notes combine on the nose with suggestions of wet stone, tobacco leaf and wafts of bergamot all sing in unison. The palate is extremely refined and silky, as this marches through the mid-palate with clockwork precision. With more air this becomes even more dense and hedonistic. An enthralling core of red and black fruits combine with volcanic earth, black truffle crudo, and cigar box notes on the palate — all held together with light tannins and beaming bright acidity. Obviously very rich and refined now at the eight year mark, the 2015 ‘Grace Vineyard’ will live on for decades but is extremely alluring to consume now. Don’t miss the two hour decanter time like I did in May 2022! Drink 2023-2043- 97
2015 Domaine Serene ‘Monogram’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Monogram’ is the apex in the Domaine Serene collection of wines and this ebullient wine is showing better than first reviewed back in June 2019. A barrel selection of the choicest Pinot Noir lots, the 2015 ‘Monogram’ stands tall in this warm vintage across the Willamette Valley. Really needing two hours in the decanter to fully be expressive, the 2015 ‘Monogram’ slowly yields Mandarin orange oil with Asian spices, Linzer torte, and hints of white truffle shavings on the nose. The literal cornucopia of aromas bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The pillowy mouthfeel and downright unctuous texture is exceedingly gratifying. Light tannins frame a brilliant core of red and dark fruits, with sweet pipe tobacco, stony minerals, and blood orange zest flavors. Finishing exceedingly long with dark fruits and minerals, this is ultra-rich and ultra-refined Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that will enrich the senses for decades to come. Don’t pop and pour, as this slumbering beauty needs a lot of air before consuming. Drink 2023-2043- 98
Durant Vineyards
2015 Durant ‘Raven’ Chardonnay- The beautifully evolved ‘Raven’ comes off with rich toasty French bread, baking spice dusted pear, starfruit and juicy melon and pineapple flavors on the palate. Its medium-bodied, with stony undertones, and a delight to enjoy right now. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 Durant ‘Bishop’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Bishop’ utilizes Pommard clonal selections that were planted way back in the 1970s and 80s. Ripe red currants and stony minerals combine with suggestions of damp earth and teaberry on the palate. Wonderful to enjoy now, savor this over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 91
2015 Durant ‘Dove’ Pinot Noir- This 2015 Pinot Noir comes from Dijon clone 114 selection that was planted back in 2000. Suggestions of black truffle, white pepper and red cherry compote all fill the nose. The palate shows a polished texture with good freshness and a lovely dusting of volcanic soils. Complex and delicious, this is outstanding wine to enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2015 Durant ‘Heron’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Heron’ is a brilliant bottling that utilizes Pommard clone Pinot Noir that was planted back in 1993. Very earthy and polished on the mouth, this delivers beautiful tart red fruit flavors with orange rind, smoldering stones and suggestions of peat moss. Already nicely evolved, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
Elton
2015 Elton ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 Elton is very soft and approachable right now. It delivers Yakima cherry and red raspberry flavors with tilled soils, cremini mushroom and a dusting of white pepper. Very juicy, savory and salty, this is delicious stuff right now. Drink 2023-2029- 92
Erath
2012 Erath ‘La Nuit Magique’ Pinot Noir- Made by former winemaker Gary Horner, the La Nuit Magique’ is a gorgeous bottling which is absolutely glowing now at the eight year mark. This comes off very earthy and evolved with a touch of black truffle that combines with citrus blossom, worn leather and peat moss tones. Very Burgundian with a soft texture, this is beautifully evolved wine that has another five plus years to go. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2015 Erath ‘Knight’s Gambit’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Knight’s Gambit’ by Erath is a great showing now at the eight year mark, coming from this high elevation site in the Dundee Hills AVA. Wild rose and black truffle tones mark the nose with tilled soil tones and hints of orange rind. The palate is lush and soft, with an inviting mouthfeel. This is already beautifully evolved, earthy Pinot Noir that is best consumed now and over the next few years. Drink 2023–2029- 92
Evening Land
2015 Evening Land ‘Seven Springs’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Seven Springs’ Pinot Noir is already nicely evolved at this juncture. Once on the nose this takes on beautiful red florals that combine with tilled wet soils and suggestions of mandarin orange rind. The palate is very fresh and lithe, with a polished texture and plenty of bright acidity holding things together. This is really youthful even at the eight year mark. Drink 2023-2033- 93
Eyrie Vineyards
2015 Eyrie Vineyards ‘Original Vines’ Pinot Gris- Pinot Gris can age gracefully, and this 2015 edition is a really great example of age worthy Gris. Very oily and silky on the mouth, the 2015 ‘Original Vines’ offers cashew nut, green papaya and starfruit tones, alongside good tension. Finishing long, this is an outstanding value that will go for at least another eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
Fairsing
2015 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay- Soft and approachable on the mouth, the 2015 Fairsing Vineyard Chardonnay comes from Dijon clonal selections 76 and 95. It shows off peach and ripe pear on the palate, with vanilla cream and copious minerals. Well-balanced and exceedingly good now, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- Stored for ten months in 30% new French oak, the 2015 Fairsing Vineyard Pinot Noir begins with ripe red cherry, black truffle and red currants on the nose. The palate is very fresh and viscous with excellent balance and weight. Layers of ripe red fruits greet you with plenty of minerals and light flinty and earthy undertones. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Sullivan’ Pinot Noir- A blend of Pommard, Wadesnwil and Dijon 777 clonal selections, this spent ten months in 30% new French oak prior to bottling. This is delicious and quite honestly a delight to savor right now. Beautiful and pure red fruits greet you alongside red rose water, tobacco leaf and shades of kumquat zest. Complex and delicious, savor this over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2015 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Dardis’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Dardis’ comes from a combination of Wadesnwil, Dijon 115 and Pommard clonal selection Pinot Noir vines. A marvelous effort by winemaker Robert Brittan, this opens with wild blackberry, black cherry and cloves on the nose. The palate is viscous and very fresh, with good underlying minerality and salty undercurrents. Drink 2023-2031- 93
Fullerton
2015 Fullerton ‘Croft Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Croft Vineyard’ not only grows world-class Pinot Noir but is also one of the top sites in the valley for Sauvignon Blanc. This wine utilizes Wadenswil, Pommard and 115 clonal selection Pinot Noir, this also shows up very dense in the glass. Ripe bing cherry, baking spices, spice dusted cranberry and kumquat peel flavors all seamlessly combine, with salty undertones on the palate. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2015 Fullerton ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The famed ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ has been meticulously famed by Moe Momtazi for decades. Very steeply planted to Pinot Noir, it is one of the unique sites in the Willamette Valley, that boasts two very distinct soil types — marine sedimentary and ancient volcanic soils. This bottling by winemaker Alex Fullerton utilizes clone 113, 114, 115 and 777 Pinot Noir. Once in the glass this displays a rich core and is similarly dense once on the mouth with a soft texture. Very salty and savory — and loaded with red and dark fruits— this is a joy to drink right now. Finishing long with tart cranberry, cremini mushroom and minerals, you have the feeling that this will easily go for another decade. Yet, no reason to wait. Drink 2023-2032- 93
Gran Moraine
2015 Gran Moraine ‘Estate Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2015 Gran Moraine ‘Estate Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine is drinking considerably better than first sampled several years back. Showing off its golden hue in the glass, the 100% Chardonnay spent 5 years and 6 months en tirage. Given 3G/L dosage, this offers baking spices, candied ginger, and white peach on the nose with stony undercurrents. The palate is rich and concentrated with serious flavor complexity. Lemon oil, kumquat, salted wet stone, and suggestions of baking spice laced sourdough bread all combine on the palate. With some serious nerve, this is still exceedingly youthful, as this beauty will live on for at least another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2015 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay- The 2015 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay is an outstanding effort that has definitely passed the test of time. The wine shows bright acidity with baking spices and ripe pear and green melon notes on the palate, with salty undercurrents and shades of wild mushroom. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 92
Hazelfern
2015 Hazelfern ‘La Chênaie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘La Chênaie Vineyard’ comes from this 103 acre site which is located near Salem, Oregon in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. 18 acres of vines are planted currently. The Pinot Noir shows a rich core with ripe red rose petals, red currants, tobacco leaf and suggestions of tilled salty soils. The palate is wonderfully fresh with a seamless texture and good sense of finesse. Finishing long with bright red fruits, copious minerals and blood orange zest accents, this is beautifully aged Pinot Noir that is really singing right now. Drink 2023-2033- 93
Hundred Suns
2015 Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Old Eight Cut’ was sourced from the Flanerie, Sequitur and Jesse Hames Vineyard as this spent ten months in neutral oak before bottling. This is very pretty and fragrant on the nose with beautiful red flowers that combine with freshly tilled sandy soils, Bing cherry and citrus blossom notes. The palate is very soft and approachable, as this yields a smooth mouthfeel, with good underlying tension. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2015 Hundred Suns ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from this prized site in the Ribbon Ridge Vineyard, the 2015 Hundred Suns ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a stunning wine now at the eight year mark. Aromatically intense, this yields bright kumquat rind and red raspberry cordial notes alongside tart cranberry on the nose. The palate is lithe and polished, as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience, delivering ultra-pure red fruits. This is a downright sexy side of Oregon Pinot Noir. Drink 2023-2037- 95
J. Christopher
2015 J. Christopher ‘Medici Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Very pale once in the glass, the ‘Medici Vineyard’ is located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, as this was planted to old vine Pinot Noir back in i1976. J. Christopher began farming this site in 2005. The nose is wonderfully earthy with damp earthy notes alongside flint and hazelnut accents, with tart red fruits. The palate is very smooth and fresh, showing a good underlying acidity. Light to medium-bodied red cherry, strawberry and guava fruits combine on the palate, with wild mushroom accents. This is quite simply incredible, leaner-style Pinot Noir that is peaking now. Drink 2023-2029- 93
2015 J. Christopher ‘Charlie’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Dundee Hills AVA, ‘Charlie’s Vineyard’ is a tiny parcel set on ancient volcanic soils. Very stony and rocky on the nose, as this translucent Pinot Noir offers light red fruit tones that combine with suggestions of bergamot. The palate is soft and inviting with a very pure core of red fruits, with faint wet gravel accents. A light dusting of salinity completes this beautiful wine that is best consume now and over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 J. Christopher ‘Sandra Adele’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Sandra Adele’ Pinot Noir is named after Jay’s mother and is sourced from several sites in the Dundee Hills. Showing a deeper core than the other two Pinot Noir, this is also considerably more earthy with black truffle shavings and old damp soil accents that combine with loganberry tones. The palate has a light dusting of salinity that falls upon a pretty core of red and dark fruits, with bright acidity holding everything nicely in place. Salty and earthy, this is delicious 2015 Pinot Noir that is really hitting its stride. Drink 2023-2029- 93
Ken Wright
2015 Ken Wright ‘Tanager Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from the Tanager Vineyard, this utilizes Wadenswil clone Pinot Noir. Beautifully textured and showing good weight, this shows off ripe red raspberry that combines with copious minerals, white peach, strawberry and tilled soils on the palate. Showing a good combination of weight and finesse, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2030- 93
King Estate
2015 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris- The 2015 ‘Domaine’ is a wine that I enjoyed time and time again following release. Today now at the eight year mark this is one of the great wines of its kind in Oregon — and is not slowing down. This shows a luxurious texture with serious weight and nice underlying finesse. Sweetened gooseberry, kiwi and cantaloupe flavors all collide with wet stone and copious minerals on the palate. Showing serious length, this beauty still has a long way to go. Drink 2023-2030- 94
2015 King Estate ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Freedom Hill’ Pinot Noir is sourced from one of the great sites in the Willamette Valley that was first planted back in 1981. Aged for 12 months in 35% new French oak, this shows a much darker hue than the ‘Hyland’ opening with red currants, salty soils, sandalwood and satsuma orange zest. Medium-bodied, and very fresh and fragrant, this is a delight to savor right now. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2015 King Estate ‘Hyland Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Hyland Vineyard’ is set in the Coast Range region and was first planted back in the 1971 and set at 600 feet elevation. The wine was aged for 14 months in 25% new French oak before bottling. This is very mineral-driven, showing a great purity of red fruit flavors with strawberry and guava up front. Very pretty and approachable, this is drinking beautifully now but also has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2015 King Estate ‘Bradshaw Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Bradshaw family planted this site back in 1989. The wine comes off very pretty, as this translucent Pinot Noir offers guava and tart cranberry flavors alongside copious minerals and citrus blossom on the palate. Salty and savory, this is absolutely delicious wine to consume now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
Knudsen Vineyards
2015 Knudsen Vineyard Pinot Noir- The 2015 Knudsen Vineyard Pinot Noir is very concentrated and pure in terms of red fruits. A soft texture greets you with beautiful weight and length, finishing very long with ripe red cherries, red raspberries and copious minerals. This is a crowd-pleaser with its pleasurable red fruit profile that is meant to be enjoyed right now. Drink 2023-2028- 92
Lachini Vineyards
2015 Lachini Vineyards ‘Cuvee Giselle’ Pinot Noir- For years I have admired the ‘Cuvee Giselle’ which is an Oregon Pinot Noir that exudes class for the price. This 2015 edition is rich and already nicely evolved. Very seamless on the mouth, this shows pomegranate seed, red cherry candy, salted caramel and wild strawberry flavors alongside copious minerals and freshly tilled soil flavors. This is absolutely delicious 2015 Oregon Pinot Noir, as the stuffing and finesse suggests this is best enjoyed soon. Drink 2023-2029- 92
Lange
2015 Lange ‘Yamhill-Carlton Assemblage’ Pinot Noir- The 015 Lange ‘Yamhill-Carlton Assemblage’ Pinot Noir combines Pinot Noir from the the Yamhill and Hirschy Vineyards. This is very fresh and polished on the palate with a silky texture. Layers of peat moss, blood orange zest and bright red currants combine with shades of white truffle. Enjoy this generous and bright 2015 Pinot Noir now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2015 Lange ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Freedom Hill Vineyard was first planted in 1982, the outstanding ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir shows off aromas of damp earth, cardamom and suggestions of Enoki mushroom that all sing in unison. The palate is soft and refined with a soft mouthfeel and excellent length. This finishes long with minerals and beautiful red fruits. Enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2015 Lange ‘Lange Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2015 Lange ‘Lange Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this scenic site on a mountain hillside in the Dundee Hills AVA. The six-acre site was planted in back in 1988, utilizing Bien Nacido, Pommard and Wadensil clonal selection Pinot Noir. This is very intense and concentrated Oregon Pinot Noir, showing broad shoulders. Layers of ripe raspberry and black cherry flavors combine with freshly tilled soils, dried herbs and suggestions of baking spices on the palate. Absolutely delicious and very seamless to enjoy now, this has both the stuffing and underlying acidity to cellar well over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 94
Lemelson
2015 Lemelson ‘Chestnut Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Chestnut Hill Vineyard’ is set in the Chehalem Mountain AVA. Cedar and sandalwood notes combine with bright red florals, ripe pomegranate and orange rind tones on the nose. The palate is very fresh and salty with serious underlying finesse and a silky mouthfeel. Light barrel tannin rounds out this fantastic bottling that is best enjoyed now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2015 Lemelson ‘Jerome Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Jerome Reserve’ is a stunning bottling from 2015. It is a barrel selection wine that shows a serious combination of red and dark fruits once on the nose. Very refined on the mouth, this offers wonderful structure and a seamless sense of mouthfeel. Dense and chewy, with refined tannins, this is drinking beautifully now. Give this an hour of air before consuming. Drink 2023-2035- 94
Lingua Franca
2015 Lingua Franca ‘Sisters’ Chardonnay- The 2015 ‘Sisters’ is a gorgeous example from this ripe and fleshy vintage. The wine comes off with lovely flinty and earthy undertones on the palate, showing off ripe nectarine, Japanese pear, baking spices and shades of pink grapefruit on the palate. The soft mouthfeel and glorious length really drive this wine, as you wait for the near minute-long finish. Enjoy this classy effort now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 94
2015 Lingua Franca ‘Mimi’s Mind’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Mimi’s Mind’ comes from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA and was 70% whole cluster fermented. There is still a marvelous richness to this wine and great purity of red fruit flavors. With more air pipe tobacco, stony minerals and suggestions of enoki mushroom all add to the enjoyment. Viscous and heady, this is still quite primary and has at least another decade of life in front of it. Give this plenty of air if enjoying now. Drink 2023-2033- 94
Lytle-Barnett
2015 Lytle-Barnett ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- Quite big and rich on the mouth, the 2015 Lytle-Barnett ‘Brut’ shows toasty brioche, baking spice dusted Japanese pear and copious minerals on the palate, with stony and flinty undertones. The silky mousse impresses, as this easily has another eight years to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2031- 92
Maysara
2015 Maysara ‘Cyrus’ Pinot Noir- Named after the famed Persian king, Cyrus the Great who ruled from 600-530 B.C. this edition of the wine is dense and decadent now at eight years. Right away this impresses with a great core of red and dark fruits on the nose, combining with shades of menthol, white truffle and suggestions of peat moss. The palate is rich and viscous with great underlying finesse. Finishing long with black fruits and minerals, this is a beautiful offering that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2033- 93
Nicolas Jay
2015 Nicolas Jay ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- A blend from a range of Willamette Valley Vineyards, this shows off high-toned rose petals with spicy tobacco leaf, red currants and ripe red cherries. The palate shows a soft mouthfeel with layers of pretty red cherry candy, wild blackberry and tilled soil notes. This is already beautifully evolved and will impress for at least another decade to come. Drink 2023-2033- 93
Panther Creek
2015 Panther Creek ‘Carter Vineyard’ Pinot Noir-The ‘Carter Vineyard’ is located at the southern end of the Eola-Amity hills AVA and was planted all the way back in 1983. This comes off very bright and beautiful on the palate, showing nice richness and underlying tension. Beautiful red fruits collide with citrus blossom water and shades of salty volcanic earth. This finishes very long, as this beauty is already singing now at the eight year mark. Enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 Panther Creek ‘Red Stripe Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Red Stripe Cuvee’ is a wine club wine from a host of Willamette Valley Vineyards. It is very pretty and round on the palate, with red rose petals, red cherry, orange rind and salty soil flavors. This is already beautifully evolved so enjoy now and over the next several years. Only 50 cases made. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 Panther Creek ‘Lazy River Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This 2015 Yamhill-Carlton bottling comes from this site which is located west of the town of Yamhill. Quite translucent once in the glass, this opens with aromas of walnut and burnt orange alongside red cherry candy and enoki mushroom. The palate is very soft and approachable, with a smooth texture. Layers of ripe red raspberry, pomegranate and guava all meld together with allspice dusted orange rind, copious minerals and light peat moss undercurrents on the palate. Very lithe and polished, with good length, this is delicious lighter to medium-bodied Pinot Noir that is really starting to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2029- 92
Penner-Ash
2015 Penner-Ash ‘Shea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from this famed site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, this wine comes from a range of clinal selections. Red currants, white pepper and salty soils combine with shades of brown wild blackberry on the nose. The palate is very soft and refined with a silky mouthfeel and rich sense of viscosity. This is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2015 Penner-Ash ‘Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Penner-Ash Estate Vineyard is located on a high ridge with sweeping views of the Chehalem Valley. This comes off lush and very concentrated with gobs of rich red and dark fruits with fantastic underlying minerality. Beautifully textured with lovely weight, this is stunning wine to consume now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 95
2015 Penner-Ash ‘Das de Nom’ Pinot Noir- The flagship wine of the Penner-Ash, the 2015 ‘Das de Nom’ is a masterclass by winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash. A barrel-selection wine, the Pinot Noir spent 10 months in 35% new French oak prior to bottling. It is exceedingly silky and elegant wine now at the eight year mark, with tart cranberry and pomegranate flavors alongside freshly tilled loamy and salty soils and suggestions of kumquat zest. There are no rough edges here, as this is highly refined stuff. Finishing very long, this deep and concentrated effort is a treasure to savor right now. Drink 2023-2035- 95
Raptor Ridge
2015 Raptor Ridge ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- This beautiful wine was made by Scott Shull, as the 2015 Pinot Noir utilizes mostly Pommard and Dijon clone 777 clonal selections, with a small part 667 clone. This shows a beautiful bouquet of cranberry and crushed red flowers alongside teaberry notes and suggestions of salty soils on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with a refined texture and offers hints of white truffle. Enjoy this beautifully-developed Pinot Noir now and over the next six years. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2015 Raptor Ridge ‘Reserva’ Tempranillo- Coming from the Folin Vineyard in the Rogue Valley, this site was planted all the way back in 2001. The 2015 Tempranillo spent 23 months in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. A whiff of white pepper dusted smoked brisket hits the nose alongside creosote, iodine, and shades of wild blackberry cobbler. The palate is very fresh and plush with a soft mouthfeel and bright acidity remaining. Light tannins frame a core of pure, medium bodied red and dark fruits with menthol and scorched earth notes. Showing a smooth mouthfeel, this is already beautifully evolved, yet seems to have a long life remaining. This rustic bottling is drinking a touch better than first reviewed back in 2020. Drink 2023-2030- 92
Rex Hill
2015 Rex Hill ‘Jacob Hart Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Jacob Hart Estate Vineyard’ comes from this site which was planted back in 1987, is named after Rex Hill founders, Jan Jacobsen & Paul Hart. Very deeply colored and also deeply perfumed on the nose, this unveils pink rose petals alongside ripe red currants, and menthol notes on the nose. The palate is very rich as this is already nicely evolved, showing prune and roasted date notes, alongside milk chocolate and salty soils. Delicious now, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
ROCO
2015 ROCO ‘Gravel Road’ Chardonnay- The 2015 ‘Gravel Road’ is a marvelously evolved Chardonnay now. Very silky and elegant on the mouth, the stony undertones as the name suggests really add beautiful nuance. Layers of honeydew melon, lemon zest and sweetened pear all come together with plenty of minerals despite the warmth of the vintage. Peaking now, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
2015 ROCO ‘Ancient Waters’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Ancient Waters’ comes from this site which is set on shale and was formed roughly 50 million years ago. This comes off very salty and savory on the nose, with wet stone, potpourri, black truffles and suggestions of boysenberry. The palate is fresh and ripe with great flavor density and length, displaying exceptionally pure red fruits. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2015 ROCO ‘Knudsen’ Pinot Noir - Rollin Solles has been making wine from this site for decades, as the 2015 ‘Knudsen’ comes from this site high atop the Dundee Hills AVA and first planted back in 1972. The richness and tones from the volcanic soils is absolutely extraordinary here. This is very refined with light tannins that frame a dense core of pure red and dark fruits, with salty and stony undercurrents. The light use of new French oak and underlying freshness of this wine really shines through. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2034- 94
2015 ROCO ‘Private Stash No.13’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 vintage brings the 13th edition of the ‘Private Stash’ by ROCO. A barrel selection Pinot Noir, this is showing great flavor density with a soft mouthfeel. Layers of hedonistic wild strawberry, marionberry and black kraspberr combine with damp earth and salty undercurrents on the palate. Viscous and intense, this is quite primary now but very gradually making the wine into more earthy accents. Enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2023-2036- 94
Rose Rock
2015 Rose Rock ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir- The gorgeous 2015 Rose Rock ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir comes from this site that is set on ancient volcanic soils. The ‘Zephrine’ is wow-factor, barrel selection wine that opens with tart marionberry notes alongside damp stones, citrus blossom and suggestions of Asian spices that all meld in the glass. The palate is fresh and lithe with a polished texture and wonderful underlying acidity. Ultra-pure red fruits greet you with shades of peat moss and wet gravel on the palate, showing a light dusting of salinity. Powerful yet showing fantastic finesse, this beauty has another fifteen years to go. What a pretty wine! Drink 2023-2037- 95
Sequitur
2015 Sequitur ‘Ribbon Ridge Oregon Two Fold’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Two Fold’ Pinot Noir includes the first harvest for the lower portion of the estate vineyard (Rosemary Block). This shows a deep ruby core once in the glass, offering potpourri florals that combine with kumquat blossom, pine needles, and suggestions of loganberry preserves. The palate comes off very lithe and refined, with nothing short of a show-stopping purity of red fruits. Seamless throughout the drinking experience, this finishes very long with ripe red fruits and copious minerals. Considering the heat of the vintage, this shows strong underlying finesse, as this is best enjoyed now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2034- 95
Stag Hollow
2015 Stag Hollow ‘Vendage Selection’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 Stag Hollow ‘Vendages Selection’ is a barrel selection wine by the talented Mark Huff. Right away there is alluring red cherry candy with red rose petals alongside shades of black truffle crudo. The palate is pure with red fruits alongside freshly tilled salty soils, copious minerals and peat moss accents. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next seven years. Get this while you still can, just 73 cases made. Drink 2023-2030- 93
Soter
2015 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The opulent and highly nuanced 2015 ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir by Soter is a classy effort that is drinking marvelously. Garrigue, tobacco leaf, red currants and shades of wild blackberry all fill the nose. The palate is soft and seamless, with great structure and salty undertones. Gorgeous to consume now, with its velvety texture and bright red and dark fruit profile, this has a really long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2015 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir- The Mineral Springs Vineyard is a 34 acres site set on ancient marine sedimentary soils which was planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and nestled along the ridgeline of Mineral Springs Ranch. The 2015 ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir offers pine needles, white pepper, anise and red currants aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is very concentrated and deep with serious underlying finesse. Ripe red raspberry, thyme, peat moss and suggestions of freshly tilled soils all combine on the palate. Rich and gratifying now, this will live on for at least another ten years. Drink 2023-2035- 95
Stoller
2015 Stoller ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir is a simply magical wine by winemaker Melissa Burr. It comes off very rich and layered, as it glides effortlessly throughout the drinking experience. Very concentrated dark fruit flavors greet you, with cola, forest floor, volcanic earth and suggestions of cardamom combine on the palate. This is big and bold but shows fantastic finesse, as this beauty has only started to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2015 Stoller ‘Helen’s’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Helen’s’ Pinot Noir comes from old vine Wadensil clone Pinot Noir from their estate vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA. Very lush on the mouthfeel, this entices mainly not only with its precision but its joyous transition slowly moving into secondary notes of white truffle shavings and dense pine needles, alongside wild blackberry and black raspberry flavors. You will love how beautifully this is drinking now — or you might not have a pulse! Drink 2023-2037- 95
St. Innocent
2015 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the foothills of the Coastal Range, the ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard; is set on old marine sedimentary soils. This wine was selected from two blocks which were planted in 2004 and 2008. Ripe red cherry and red raspberry combine with orange rind and black truffle oil notes. The palate is very soft and seamless, with layers of gorgeous red fruits alongside copious minerals and fresh sage and tobacco leaf undercurrents. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2015 St. Innocent ‘Shea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Shea Vineyard’ comes from this site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, as this wine utilizes Pomard and Dijon 115 clonal selections. This comes off very fresh with bright acidity that mingles well with pomegranate seed, menthol, white pepper and freshly tilled salty soils. This is delicious, salty and savory Pinot Noir that is best enjoyed now and over the next level plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 93
Tendril
2015 Tendril ‘Pretender’ White Pinot Noir- The 2015 Tendril ‘Pretender’ White Pinot Noir is one of the great wines of its kind made by Tony Rynders. Already beautifully evolved notes of salted macadamia nut, white peach, peat moss and shades of bergamot all fill the glass. The palate is viscous and utterly seamless, as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. This is every bit as good as I remember it. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. . . but why wait? Drink 2023-2030- 95
2015 Tendril ‘Extrovert’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Extrovert’ is the most fruit-forward wine of the Tendril lineup, sourced from a range of vineyards. It comes off very perfumed ad fruity with ripe guava, red cherry and red raspberry flavors, with salty undercurrents alongside good finesse on the palate. This is one to enjoy now. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2015 Tendril ‘TightRope’ Pinot Noir- The gorgeous 2015 ‘TightRope’ is a fantastic bottling that is already nicely evolved and has some good aging potential. Showing a concentrated core in the glass, this offers heady cedar, wild blackberry and Morello cherry flavors alongside great viscosity on the palate. Finishing long with dense red and dark fruits and copious minerals, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2033- 94
Toil Oregon
2015 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir- The 2015 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir is a great showing now at eight years. The nose is very intense and heady with teaberry alongside sandalwood, bright Bing cherry and suggestions of salty soils. The palate is very soft and refined with a silky texture and beautiful length. Layers of intense red and dark fruits collide with copious minerals on the palate. This is truly a delight to savor over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
Trisaetum
2015 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot Noir-The 2015 ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot Noir is a glorious wine now at the eight year mark. Once on the nose this commands nutmeg and exotic spice notes alongside shades of salmonberry, cranberry and Mandarin orange zest. The palate is very soft and refined, with a stunning purity of red fruits. Still quite primary, this beauty has at least another ten years in front of it. Drink 2023-2036- 94
2012 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir- One of the greats of this retrospective, the eye-opening 2015 Trisaetum ’Family Reserve’ is a limited production, barrel selection wine by the talented artist and winemaker James Frey. This displays really nice earthy tones on the nose with white truffle shavings and peat moss alongside Yakima cherry, red rose petals and shades of cardamom. The palate is rich and refined with a silky texture and wonderful underlying finesse. This shows incredible length and verve, as this beauty has at least another ten years in front of it. Drink 2023-2035- 95
Walter Scott
2015 Walter Scott ‘Cuvee Anne’ Chardonnay- The 2015 ‘Cuvee Anne’ is an Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay bottling that exudes class. Bright orchard fruits, flint and shades of poached pear all combine on the nose. The palate is rich and lithe with a great underlying minerality and polished texture. Showing great length and weight, this beautiful wine is really starting to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2029- 94
2015 Walter Scott ‘Sojourner’ Pinot Noir- The Sojourner Vineyard is set in the Eola-Amity Hills, as this site is set on a southwestern facing aspect at 650 feet elevation. Very juicy and ripe at a mere 13.5% alcohol (low for this warm vintage), this revels in its pretty core of guava, cranberry and red raspberry fruits, with pie crust, blood orange rind and pine needle underpinnings. Very concentrated and nuanced, this is delicious, very geeky Oregon Pinot Noir that still has easily a deacde to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2036- 95
White Rose
2015 White Rose ‘The Neo-Classical Objective’ Pinot Noir- The 2015 ‘Neo-Classical Objective’ comes form the White Rose Estate, as this underwent 100% whole cluster fermentation. Once on the nose this takes on right cranberry and red cherry notes alongside volcanic soils and suggestions of wild mushroom. The palate is smooth and vibrant from the underlying acidity. Finishing long with copious minerals and red fruits this is beautiful Pinot Noir to consume now and over the next coming years. Drink 2023-2028- 92
Willakenzie Estate
2015 Willakenzie Estate ‘Pierre Leon’ Pinot Noir- Very translucent in the glass, the 2015 ‘Pierre Leon’ is a really nice edition of this wine now at the eight year mark. Ripe red currants parade with minerals, dusty soils and suggestions of white truffle on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 92
Willamette Valley Vineyards
2015 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Signature Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- A barrel select wine, the 2015 ‘Signature Cuvee’ shows a soft mouthfeel with layers of pretty red cherry, guava, black truffle and salty soils on the palate. Rich and layered, this is outstanding wine to consume now and over the next several years to come. Drink 2023-2029- 92
