Vinous Media 93
"(50% whole clusters and 50% new French oak) Brilliant red. Powerful smoke- and spice-accented red berry liqueur, mocha and floral pastille scents show excellent clarity and pick up notes of licorice and cola with air. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry cola, lavender and spicecake flavors that become livelier on the back half. This weighty yet lithe Pinot finishes smooth and very long, featuring slow-building tannins and resonating florality. -- Josh Raynolds"

The Wine
Planted to Pommard, Wadenswil clones in 1985; bellpine soils with marine influence
- Southeast facing slopes at 380 ft. elevation
- Metered and less windy microclimate than most other spots in the Valley
- Harvested September 9; native fermentation in stainless steel with 50% stem inclusion
- Aged 12 months in French oak (50% new)


The Estate
Always in pursuit of new expressions of terroir-driven Pinot Noir, our partners at Banshee Wines in Sonoma have ventured north to the Willamette Valley. It is here that they found many parallels to the characteristics that drive Sonoma’s premier winegrowing, including cold Pacific winds drawn through gaps in the coastal mountain ranges, and unique combinations of marine sedimentary and volcanic soils.

In 2015, alongside their original winemaker Adam Smith (who, while in Oregon, has made wine at Shea, Domaine Serene, and Nicolas-Jay) they made their first vintage of AVERÆN. Smith’s relationships in the Valley have quickly afforded AVERÆN privileged access to Oregon’s highest quality fruit at prices reflected in the great value of this first release. Sourced from throughout the Willamette Valley, spanning such sub-appellations as Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills, AVERÆN was fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak for 10 months.