2017 Vintage 44 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Vineyards

Before saying anything about Vintage 44 Pinot Noir, let me state that I’ve been a customer of Willamette Valley Vineyards since 1995. The vineyards’ products receive constantly high ratings; their wines win award ribbons in a variety of wine completions.

My two most favorite Pinot Noirs are their Tualatin Estate and their Bernau Block. Served chilled, each bottle is too small, because it empties darn quickly. What I am about to write regarding their “Vintage 44” Pinot is reflective of my personal positive experiences with my favorite Pinot Noirs.

WVV’s Vintage 44 was a limited-edition production; I included 4 bottles of it within a case order. Recently checking their web site, the wine is not listed amount other Pinots. On-line tasting notes give Vintage 44 good reviews. And, I found it a fine Oregon Pinot… However:

In tasting Vintage 44, it seemed thinner & lighter than other Estate Pinots. It lacked that WVV Vineyard punch that grabs your pallet. There was cherry, red fruit in it, but without the dark cherry. I kept tasting for those deeper aromas, but not finding them. The finish was smooth, a light oaky tannin.

Its disappointment left me wondering about the grapes. Which vineyard grew them; were they estate grown Pinot Noir?

(reader: if you want an exceptional vineyard visit. Drive 45 miles straight west from Portland, OR to the Tualatin Vineyard. The boutique vineyard is nestled in the western coastal mountains, where time seems to stand still.)

In my opinion, doing a limited edition was good business. Yet, for the same $50.00 price point, try their other, well established estate Pinot Noir vineyards.