Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2021

Winery notes:

"While winter temperatures were slightly warmer than average, and drought conditions continued across the west, February was defined by an ice-storm unlike anything seen in the Willamette Valley for 40 years. The growing season started out relatively cool but continued dry. The Willamette Valley saw mild to moderate early to mid-April frosts, followed by an early season heat event at the start of May. At the end of June, we experienced the warmest days ever recorded in the Valley, and yet the vines remained healthy and resilient. At the end of this dramatic growing season, the vines delivered grapes with complex flavors, incredible balance, and layers of elegance. As winemakers and grape growers, we couldn’t have asked for a better gift from the vineyard.

"Our 2021 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills is youthful and bright, deftly downplaying the topsy-turvy growing season that ended with gentle, ideal harvest conditions. On the nose, the wine is bursting with black cherry and ripe sour cherry tones, with hints of dried violets and lightly roasted coffee beans. The palate confirms the nose with added notes of fresh raspberry, cranberry, and a decidedly earthy touch. This wine is lovely, vibrant, and elegant now, but I think it will be in a perfect place with 5 – 12 years of cellaring."

Critical acclaim:

"95 points. Another stunning bottle of Pinot Noir from Domain Drouhin, the 2021 Dundee Hills explodes with aromas and flavors of crushed Bing cherry, black raspberry preserves, potpourri, wet autumn leaves, and mocha spice. Well balanced on the finish - it’s that perfect combination of dried herbs, earth, and sweet fruit that creates a lingering finish that goes on for a minute." International Wine Report

"94 points. Graceful and fragrant, with delicately layered cherry and raspberry flavors laced with rose petal, dusky spices and a hint of fresh forest floor. Ends with refined tannins. Drink now through 2030." - Wine Spectator

"94 points. Fragrant and open pinot with aromas of cherries, wild strawberries, orange zest, nutmeg and white pepper. It’s medium-bodied with silky, creamy tannins.
Delicious balance of just-ripe berry fruit and subtle spice. Very long, too. Drink or hold." - James Suckling