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Cellar Favorite: 1990 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir

Cellar Favorites, United States: Oregon

Kelli White, Jan 2017

A friend recently blind tasted me on a bottle of 1990 Domaine Drouhin (Oregon) Pinot Noir, and while the variety was immediately obvious (always a good sign), the country of origin was not.

The bishop creek vineyard in yamhill carlton  now owned by nicolas jay copy

Oregon Pinot Noir: The Exceptional 2014s and Often Surprising 2013s

featured, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, Dec 2016

Two thousand fourteen heralds what by all indications will be an unprecedented run of three exceptional vintages for Oregon Pinot Noir. Now that I’ve had the chance to taste finished 2014s from most of the best producers, I can say with confidence that this is the strongest and most consistently pleasurable vintage, overall, that I’ve tasted in my 31 years of following Oregon Pinot Noir.

Cristom's vineyards at the eastern end of the eola amity hills

Oregon Pinot Noir: The 2013s & 2012 Late Releases

featured, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, Oct 2015

Most of the 2013 growing season in Oregon looked like a virtual carbon copy of the superb, already legendary 2012 vintage. But Mother Nature changed her mind at the last minute, in this case at the very end of September, dumping an epic amount of rain that continued to fall into early October. The best 2013 Oregon Pinots are lively and zesty, but it is very much a winemaker's vintage in which severe choices in the vineyard and winery were the only way to achieve quality.

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Oregon Pinot Noir Update

IWC, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, Jul 2014

In the eyes of most Willamette Valley winemakers 2012 is a pinot vintage for the record books, and by all accounts the market is in agreement the wines have sold swiftly and in many cases are all gone at the wineries and even at the wholesale and retail levels in many markets

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Oregon Pinot Noir Update

IWC, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, Jul 2013

The 2011 harvest was the latest ever recorded in the Willamette Valley for most growers, in many cases extending into the first week of November

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Focus on Oregon Pinot Noir

IWC, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, Jul 2012

Fans of bright, focused pinot noir are going to find plenty to like from the 2010 vintage, especially following the richer, heftier 2009s and powerful, structured 2008s

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Focus on Oregon Pinot Noir

IWC, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, Jul 2011

It's a safe bet that if you're reading this article you know the story of 2008 and Willamette Valley pinot noir

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Oregon Pinot Noir

IWC, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, Jul 2010

My spring trip to the Willamette Valley afforded me the chance to taste a number of the eagerly anticipated 2008 pinots and to discuss them with their producers

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Focus on Oregon Pinot Noir

IWC, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, May 2009

Comparisons between Oregon and Burgundy have never been more apt than with the 2007 vintage, and that’s not necessarily a good thing

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Focus on Oregon Pinot Noir

IWC, United States: Oregon

Josh Raynolds, May 2008

There is already considerable buzz in some quarters about the 2006 pinot noirs from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, but while I tasted many outstanding wines from this vintage, my feeling is that ‘06 will be a year that delivers its charms early