2019 Pinot Noir Ayers Vineyard

There’s a bit of Kansas City history in this Ayers Vineyard bottle. The vineyard’s winemaker, Brad McLeroy, was a wine shop owner, who sold his business.

He & his family moved to Oregon with his focus on winemaking. In 2006, he became the full time winemaker for Ayres vineyard.

However, he was not the only or business owner to discover Willamette Valley wine country. Driving from Portland about 70 miles,

pass through Eugene to Kings Estate Vineyards. Ed King, sr. developed his radio corporation in Kansas City, MO.

He sold that to a large national corporation. His intense interest in wine led him to the Southern part of the Willamette Valley,

where the family purchased a 1,000 acres.Each vineyard is located in a different AVA region of the valley. The Pinot Noirs are different from one another.

But what about this bottle of Ayres Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir?

Taste=2: The Ribbon Ridge AVA lies about 50 miles Southwest of Portland, and is Willamette Valley’s smallest viticultural wine area.

Ayres Vineyard is one of many established well wineries. The pour was smooth with a clear red wine. The nose was fruity over

traditional Pinot Noir’s wet hay. First taste found the dark cherry, hint of spice, a mild Tobacco tannin finish.

But the wine missed a full body, chewy Estate Pinot Noir. Maybe it’s a very young Pinot that needs cellaring for a few years?

Looks=3: The color poured into a deep red with good legs. The label shows well. A buyer might become curious about the Ribbon Ridge cursive;

hand write notes are unique to labeling. The winemaker used a genuine cork as well as the traditional dark Burgundy bottle.

Cost=2: This is a good buy of Estate Pinot Noir wine. Buy a few bottles & cellars in a few years. Then enjoy.