Wine Spectator 91
"Vibrant purple plum and blackberry flavors play against grippy tannins in this sleek, open-textured and refined Pinot. The elements come together seamlessly on the firm finish. Best from 2016 through 2022. 243 cases made. –HS"

Vinous Media 91
"Dark red. Musky and penetrating on the nose, displaying cherry pit and berry skin aromas and a suggestion of fennel. Chewy and tightly focused on entry, then fleshier in the middle, offering sappy red and dark berry flavors and a touch of lavender. Shows very good energy and nerve on the long, floral finish, with harmonious tannins giving the a firm underpinning.
-- Josh Raynolds"

THE STORY
The Willamette Valley is Oregon's most recognized appellation for cool climate varietal wines, and it is in the Northern part of this region wehre the finest vineyards are - an epicenter we refer to as the North Valley - which includes all of the defined sub-appellations (the Dundee Hills, Ribbon ridge, Yamhill-Carlton, etc). It is From within this region of rolling hillsides and divers soils that veteran winegrowers James Cahill and tony Soter, along with North Valley partners, Brian sypher and Michelle Soter, source certified sustainable vineayrds of real "Cru" quality for these personality-driven wines. Meticulous, hands-on attention to farming practices throughout the growing season from flowering through harvest, and minimal handling in the winery, assures a resulting level of quality normally associated exclusively with estate grown wines - in fact, we think of each vineyard site we work with as if it were a "satellite estate property", as a statement of our genuine commitment to making the best wines we can.

TASTING NOTES
Bright, red/blue color in the glass. An engaging noes of red currants, bramble, sandalwood and a hint of licorice lead the way. Brisk on the palate, and very bright with acid and nerve. Simliar fruits from the nose emerge on the palate, conjoined with notes of roasted coffee, vanilla and white pepper. This round, opulent wine finishes with a little inron/beefboullion mineral nuance, and a juicy cherry profile. Soft tannins, clean and bright all the way through.

"It offers quite a powerful bouquet with Morello cherries and a touch of strawberry shortcake - ripe and somehow, playful. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a sumptuous opening, plush for the vintage, the whole bunch neatly integrated and iwth a spicy, quite edgy finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a very well-crafted Pinot Noir that should give 12-15 years of drinking pleasure."