Reviews from Acclaimed Wine Critics 

94 Points – International Wine Report
“From the steep, south-facing slopes of the Meyer Vineyard in the Dundee Hills, this 2022 Pinot Noir is a stunning testament to the region’s potential. Harvested early to preserve its brightness, it unfolds with vivid aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and a medley of floral tones, including rose petals and potpourri, interwoven with delicate sandalwood. On the palate, it shines with a juicy core of red fruit that flows seamlessly into a finish marked by elegance and poise. Crunchy tannins and moderate plus acidity help finish things off. The wine’s remarkable balance and finesse suggest exceptional aging potential over the next decade.”

93 Points – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“Sweet floral and fruit aromas predominate the aromatics from the Meyer Vineyard high in the Dundee Hills. A floral tone balances the sweet strawberry flesh and ripe cherry aromas, all offering that classic Willamette Valley freshness. The palate is lithe, lively, and fresh. Mouthfuls of violet florals, red bramble fruits, and a streak of pine bough tea and fresh mint leaves keep this Pinot Noir bright and airy through the finish.”

91 Points – Eric Guido, Vinous
“The 2022 Pinot Noir Meyer Vineyard wafts up with a mentholated mix of dried black cherries, dried roses and autumnal spice.  Energetic and spry, it sweeps across the palate with zesty acidity guiding its ripe wild berry fruits as a tactile mineral note adds form toward the close.  The senses are left wrapped in youthful poise as edgy tannins resonate and a hint of licorice fades.”

Planted across from the winery in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Stermer Vineyard has been farmed organically since being planted in 1997. With Willakenzie marine sedimentary soils composed of a thin layer of silty-clay loam atop sandstone, the wines from this site are often fuller-bodied with prominent cherry, spice and earth notes. The nose of the 2021 Stermer displays fresh raspberry and red cherry fruit accented by notes of lavender, anise and peppercorn spice. The palate is medium bodied, textured and round. The finish is long and marked by sweet fruit and milk chocolate flavors.

Reviews from Acclaimed Wine Critics 

93 Points – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“A wonderful coming together of tart red fruits and sweet spices. The Stermer Vineyard was planted in 1997 and has always been organic—classic aromas of black tea, sweet tobacco, clove and ripe blackberries. The palate is lushly fruited, layered with dark fruit flavours, bracing wintergreen, and a tart red berry finish.”

92 Points – Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
“A blend of 61% Wadenswil and 39% Pommard Pinot noir, the 2021 Stermer rested for 15 months in 39% new French oak barrels.  A light orange-ruby core with a light brick rim, it starts with notes of fresh and dried Rainier cherries, rhubarb, blue flowers, melted milk chocolate, sweet vanilla, and cedary herbs.  As with all of the 2021’s from Lemelson, the tannins are already silky smooth with no noticeable bite, carried through on the finish by the lovely acidity.”

The Meyer Vineyard is a long, steep site in the Dundee Hills that faces due south and features a variety of elevations, exposures, and microclimates. The 2021 Meyer is composed of fruit picked at the very beginning of harvest to produce fresh, aromatic wine that combines red cherry and raspberry with rose petal, potpourri, and sandalwood oak notes. The palate is fresh and juicy carried by loads of red fruit to a long, delicately balanced finish.

Reviews from Acclaimed Wine Critics 

94 Points – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“A delectable red-fruited Pinot Noir from the long, steep Meyer Vineyard at high elevation in the Dundee Hills AVA. Fresh cranberry relish and dusty mint aromatics denote the early harvest for this fruit from south-facing vines. The bright palate offers tart red cranberries, blood orange pulp and savoury notes of sage. The wine finished with a lifted stony minerality.”

93 Points – Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
“Fragrant and expressive, with vibrant cherry and strawberry flavors accented by notes of fresh violet, orange blossoms and toasty spices that zip along the crisp finish. Drink now through 2031.”

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“A youthful ruby red hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Meyer Vineyard is ripe and polished with notes of sweet cedar spices, preserved strawberries, herbes de Provence, and anise. Moving to the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a saturating feel, lively, ripe acidity, juicy, fine tannins, and clean lift on the finish, with good freshness and purity throughout. This highly charming and attractive wine will be best enjoyed over the coming 5-7 years.”

92 Points – Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
“The 2021 Meyer Vineyard Pinot noir sees about 15% whole cluster during fermentation and then 39% new French oak during 15 months of aging.  A light ruby core with a fluorescent pink rim, it gifts aromatics of Bing cherry, crushed rose petals, candied blue raspberries, and hints of cedary herbs.  Tannins are already completely integrated into the core of the lemony acidity and the red-fruit-focused finish.”

Year after year, we can always count on Johnson Vineyard producing some of our most robust, rustic, and structured Pinot noirs.  The 2021 Johnson Pinot, made exclusively with the Wädenswil clone, marries aromas of black cherry, blackberry, forest floor, bay leaf, and peppercorn.  Sweet vanilla bean and chocolate from the French oak complement the aromatic profile while adding nice textural tannins.  There is a juicy, sweet core to the mouthfeel which helps round out the wine’s muscular frame.  It is a complex wine, one that would show very well at the dinner table, especially when paired with  more savory, spiced meats.  

Reviews from Acclaimed Wine Critics 

94 Points – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“From the Johnson Vineyard, a former farm established in 1939 by Bob and Evelyn Johnson, planted to 28 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the late 1990s on south-facing slopes. This site offers loads of tannin and dark ripe fruits, a bottling of pure Wadenswil clone Pinot. The aromatics are dark berries, rich, freshly turned soils, pomegranate molasses, and dark violet tones. The palate shows a tannic framing, wildly structured with spices and savoury notes. There are mineral tones of iron with red fruits, chopped mint leaves and a lingering finish.”

We are thrilled to release another Pommard clone focused wine from the 2021 vintage!  This year, we sourced the fruit from Eric Lemelson’s very first planting at Chestnut Hill from 1995.  As our coolest vineyard site, this Pommard responded exceedingly well to the warm and dry 2021 vintage.  The complex and perfumed nose reveals red cherry, raspberry, licorice, black tea, and orange zest.  The palate presents even more depth thanks in large part to the whole cluster inclusion, with notes of sandalwood, cinnamon, and peppercorn carried on the soft and elegant, fruit-focused finish.  

At a maximum elevation of over 1,000 feet, Chestnut Hill Vineyard is one of the highest vineyards in the North Willamette Valley. In warm years, elevation lends restraint; in cool years, ripeness can be elusive. Yet, as our coolest vineyard site, it responded exceedingly well to the warm 2021 vintage and beautifully inherited the elegance associated with cool climate viticulture. The complex nose reveals plum, black cherry, licorice and red raspberry. The palate shows even more depth with graham cracker, sandalwood, cinnamon and peppercorn carried on a silken carriage of sweet tobacco spice to a delicate, fruit-focused finish.

Reviews from Acclaimed Wine Critics 

93 Points – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“This cool site at over 300m in the Chehalem Mountains has come together nicely with the warm conditions of the pretty 2021 vintage. Dark, opulent aromas of Christmas spice, blueberry compote and blackberries with mint show a real generosity. The palate is well-knit and layered with lush blue and black bramble fruits. Ripe cherries, blueberries and savoury dried herbs come together with a sweet, spicy, lingering finish.”

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Rich ruby in color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Chestnut Hill Vineyard offers an attractive ripe, autumnal feel with its notes of baked cherries, mushroomy earth, candied flowers, and warming, woodsy spice. This continues to the palate, with darker mineral underpinnings, ripe tannins, and an even feel throughout. It’s a very appealing, ripe wine to enjoy over the coming 6-8 years.”

92 Points – Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
“Vivacious and fresh, with lively cherry and cranberry flavors that pick up notes of black tea and rose petal as this races toward the snappy finish. Drink now through 2031.”

As our highest elevation vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Briscoe produces uniquely expressive Pinot noir for the area.  At its core, the 2021 Briscoe shows beautiful black cherry and Italian plum fruit with savory notes of sage, rhubarb and peppercorn.  We elevated this complex wine with 50% new French oak barrels which add notes of chocolate, cinnamon and subtle sandalwood.  Texturally, this wine is beautifully balanced with a rich, yet soft mouthfeel that gives way to a long and flavorful finish.