Wine on the Radio - October 1, 2003      Listen

Willamette Valley Pinot Noir         Recommendations

Want to see some of the prettiest country anywhere and sip some awesome Pinot Noir at the same time?   Then head for Oregon.  

Stretching from south of Portland to just past Eugene is Oregon's famed Willamette Valley.   Nestled between the coastal mountains and the towering Cascades, fed by the meandering Willamette River, and nurtured by the Pacific breezes flowing through the mountain gaps, Pinot Noir thrives.  

The moderate climate coaxes the Pinot to ripeness just before the Fall rainy season begins.   The results are wines that stand up to Pinots from anywhere, including France 's famous Burgundy . . . rich and silky with bright pitted fruit flavors.  

And there's an added benefit of being ready to drink now

These are truly versatile food wines.

From plank roasted Pacific salmon to roasted chicken, add a bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot and you'll be booking a wine country trip before you know it!  

Pop the cork™.             

Oregon Pinot Noir . . . All Prices Approximate

Adelsheim 2001 Pinot Noir $20
Willamette Valley , Oregon
It is a rich, complex and incredibly fruity Pinot noir (raspberries and black cherries, with a little black pepper)

Archery Summit 2000 Arcus Pinot Noir $70
Willamette Valley , Oregon .
Broad, intense and extremely long, the 2000 Arcus Estate could be the best Arcus we have crafted yet

Argyle 2001 Pinot Noir $20
Willamette Valley , Oregon
A Wine Spectator Best Buy ! This Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is one of the biggest and richest in some time

Bethel Heights 2000 Estate Pinot Noir $20
Willamette Valley , Oregon
The signature of this wine is intense black cherry fruit with hints of black pepper

King Estate 1999 Pinot Noir $20
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This brilliant, garnet colored Pinot Noir displays rich fruit aromas of plum, cherry, blackberry, and cassis

Rex Hill 2000 Pinot Noir $20
Willamette Valley , Oregon
Bright aromas of red and black cherries, clove, mace and a hint of barrel toast. It has the sweetness and texture of vanilla cream with the acid and still youthful tannin to strike its balance

WillaKenzie 2000 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir $25
Willamette Valley , Oregon
This Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is a lively wine with dark ruby color and great intensity

Panther Creek 2000 Winemaker's Cuvee Pinot Noir $30
Willamette Valley , Oregon
This Cuvee is superbly balanced for such a forward, young wine, and has a bright acidity that promises significant aging potential

King Estate 1999 Reserve Pinot Noir $30
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This intensly deep, garnet colored Pinot Noir possesses the rich and concentrated aromas and flavors expected from a Reserve wine

Bethel Heights 2000 West Block Reserve Pinot Noir $40
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This wine is testimony to the fact that 2000 was probably the ripest vintage we've ever seen at Bethel Heights in terms of physiological maturity of the fruit at harvest

Shop for Oregon Pinot Noir