The Pinot Noirs from Oregon's Willamette Valley have received some serious praise in recent years. They have been named on Wine Spectator's "Top 100" list, garnered near-perfect scores from Wine Advocate, and have sommeliers salivating over recent vintages. Now the latest release from one of the most notable producers has landed, and it just received a fantastic 94-point score from Wine Spectator!
It seems that families whose names are well-established in other wine regions have been flocking to Oregon's Willamette Valley lately. However, it was the Drouhin's who were the first Burgundy family to stake a major claim into this now world-renowned wine region back in 1987. After tasting a wine from pioneer David Lett, Robert Drouhin was intrigued by the region, and selected it for his next Pinot Noir venture.
In 2013, the Drouhin family purchased the Roserock property; an extraordinary vineyard at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills, in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Ancient volcanic soils and an ideal elevation range produce classic cool-climate Pinot Noirs that evoke a true sense of place. During the warm growing season, ocean breezes funneled through Oregon's Coast Range blow along the Van Duzer Corridor every evening, chilling this part of the Eola-Amity Hills more than ten degrees cooler than northern Willamette Valley sub-appellations. These maritime winds make for fruit that's lively with acidity and distinct in its freshness of flavor.
As a testament to the Drouhin family's commitment to sustainable viticulture that supports soil health and biodiversity, the property is LIVE certified. LIVE (Low Input Viticulture & Enology) meets strict international standards for environmentally and socially responsible winegrowing.
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "Impeccably structured yet sleekly elegant, with raspberry and blueberry flavors accented by savory tea, stony mineral and dusky spice notes as this gathers tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033."
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Pouring a youthful red hue, the 2023 Pinot Noir Roserock is elegant and mineral-toned, with notes of cinnamon, cranberries, crushed flowers, and dusty earth. The palate has lovely, salty freshness, with medium body, and it has mouthwatering acidity, ripe, balanced fruit, and an even, zesty finish. Drink 2025-2035."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir is bursting with high-toned scents of raspberry, strawberry, saline, grapefruit peel and floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with detailed, fragrant flavors. It’s framed by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, layered finish. 14,714 cases produced."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 92 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir wafts up with a perfumed blend of rose petals, crushed violets, stone dust and blackberries. Silken textures envelop the palate with ripe red and blue fruits, displaying notable weight yet remaining lively and fresh. The finish lingers with tactile mineral crunch, leaving an air of sweet lavender to resonate."
It seems that families whose names are well-established in other wine regions have been flocking to Oregon's Willamette Valley lately. However, it was the Drouhin's who were the first Burgundy family to stake a major claim into this now world-renowned wine region back in 1987. After tasting a wine from pioneer David Lett, Robert Drouhin was intrigued by the region, and selected it for his next Pinot Noir venture.
In 2013, the Drouhin family purchased the Roserock property; an extraordinary vineyard at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills, in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Ancient volcanic soils and an ideal elevation range produce classic cool-climate Pinot Noirs that evoke a true sense of place. During the warm growing season, ocean breezes funneled through Oregon's Coast Range blow along the Van Duzer Corridor every evening, chilling this part of the Eola-Amity Hills more than ten degrees cooler than northern Willamette Valley sub-appellations. These maritime winds make for fruit that's lively with acidity and distinct in its freshness of flavor.
As a testament to the Drouhin family's commitment to sustainable viticulture that supports soil health and biodiversity, the property is LIVE certified. LIVE (Low Input Viticulture & Enology) meets strict international standards for environmentally and socially responsible winegrowing.
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "Impeccably structured yet sleekly elegant, with raspberry and blueberry flavors accented by savory tea, stony mineral and dusky spice notes as this gathers tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033."
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Pouring a youthful red hue, the 2023 Pinot Noir Roserock is elegant and mineral-toned, with notes of cinnamon, cranberries, crushed flowers, and dusty earth. The palate has lovely, salty freshness, with medium body, and it has mouthwatering acidity, ripe, balanced fruit, and an even, zesty finish. Drink 2025-2035."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir is bursting with high-toned scents of raspberry, strawberry, saline, grapefruit peel and floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with detailed, fragrant flavors. It’s framed by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, layered finish. 14,714 cases produced."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 92 POINTS - "The 2023 Pinot Noir wafts up with a perfumed blend of rose petals, crushed violets, stone dust and blackberries. Silken textures envelop the palate with ripe red and blue fruits, displaying notable weight yet remaining lively and fresh. The finish lingers with tactile mineral crunch, leaving an air of sweet lavender to resonate."
