Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has earned an international reputation for quality, becoming almost synonymous with Oregon wine. Light and elegant, the varietal is distinguished by beautiful acidity with rustic flavors of fruit and earth. But not all Pinots are alike. Two Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs in this club release tell two very different stories. They are a study in subtle contrasts – of vintages, vineyards, nested wine regions (AVAs) clones and soils – that offer two distinctive wine experiences.
The 2016 King Estate Nicholas Pinot Noir is from the Chehalem Mountain AVA near Newberg. The well-draining, shallow Laurelwood soil forces the vines to search for nutrients and moisture which contributes silky tannins and rustic flavors of earth and spice. Fruit ripened early after an unusually warm, dry spring. With early budbreak in March and swift bloom in June, vines reached full maturity by early September, producing beautifully balanced wines with ripe, concentrated flavors.
The 2018 King Estate Freedom Hill Pinot Noir is from the Mt. Pisgah, Polk County AVA, located about 40 miles south of Nicholas. Perched atop an ancient sea floor volcano covered by Bellpine marine sediment, Freedom Hill is gently influenced by the Van Duzer Corridor winds. The vines produce smaller berries with more intense, robust flavors, which impart depth and structure to the wine. Warm, dry weather in October allowed the fruit extended hang time to develop flavor on the vine. A younger wine, this Freedom Hill Pinot has more tension and energetic tannins, resulting in a longer, more persistent finish.
By taking note of the similarities and differences between Pinots, appreciation for this signature Oregon wine is sure to grow.
