Pinot Noir’s from the Willamette Valley that won’t break the bank

Alit Pinot Noir 2016

It’s the product of a classic Willamette Valley vintage. The 2016 Alit Pinot Noir expresses itself beautifully with concentrated fruit flavors, earthiness and balanced acidity. This is the result of fruit farmed on volcanic hillsides and hand-picked at the perfect moment during a warm, dry harvest season. We use whole clusters during fermentation to create bold fruit flavors, delivered with a silky texture. Native yeasts naturally found in the vineyard take over and transform the grapes into wine, producing earthen and dusky aromas. This Pinot Noir exemplifies our passion for handcrafted, nuanced wines and we hope it brings joy with each sip. (Winemakers Notes)

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Price: $29

J. Christopher Dundee Hills Volcanique Pinot Noir 2016

Diversity and Complexity are the hallmarks of the J. Christopher Volcanique Pinot Noir. It is a blend of 5 of the finest vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA: Baptista Maresh, La Colina, Bella Vida, Charlie’s and Abbey Ridge. Four different clones make us the source vine material: Pommard, Wadenswil, Coury and Dijon 777. This cuvée is comprised of the top tier of barrels from their numerous Dundee Hills sources. They feel the blend of vineyards and clone types leads to a complex wine with aromas of black tea, rhubarb, ripe raspberry and dusty earth notes. Medium bodied but serious on the palate, sneaky density in an elegant package that features, red fruits, Asian spices and lovely echoes of toasty oak. 

One of a series of wines named for their soils, this shows a gravelly, grainy foundation, with sleek cranberry-raspberry fruit above. The herbal components are kept in check but are definitely in the mix, along with tannins that show flavors of stem and bark. With ample aeration the fruit explodes into lovely cherry. (Wine Enthusiast - 92 points)

Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Price: $28

Maison L'Envoye The Attache Pinot Noir 2014

Red fruits and lifted floral aromas are complemented by mineral and forest floor notes. The palate is mouth filling, textured and lush. Bing cherry and blackcurrant flavors lead with layers of oak derived spice adding depth. Supple, well integrated tannins provide definition to the long and elegant finish. (Winemaker Notes)

Light and savory, with meaty, peppery overtones to the cherry and floral flavors, finishing gracefully. Has layers of complexity and terrific persistence. Best from 2018 through 2022. (HS) (10/2016) (Wine Spectator - 92 points)

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Price: $35

Fil Pinot Noir WV 2016

Whereas the 2015 was more explosive the 2016 is more classic and elegant. Aromas of perfectly ripe, fresh wild cherry and berry fruit laced with a hint of earth and vanilla leap from the glass. In the mouth, it is silky smooth with a medium bodied but rich texture enveloping the palate with fresh red and black fruit flavors. It expresses more minerality and freshness than the 2015 vintage. It gives a sense of elegance and finesse with an enduring finish of fruit, flowers and an ethereal hint of spice. It’s a very sexy wine. (Winemakers Notes)

Region: Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Price: $40

Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2016

A perfumed nose showcases strawberry, anise and tea spice aromatics. Experience ripe, fresh raspberry, red plums and strawberry compote with a hint of subtle cedar. The fine texture and silky tannins enhance the vanilla, brown sugar, and leather notes on the finish. (Winemakers Notes)

In 2016 we had access to vineyard sites that came with the purchase by Jackson Family Wines," Lynn Penner-Ash explains. "Those sites brought some freshness to the wines. They are fresher and livelier than what we saw from the other warm vintages." She also notes that the oak usage dropped quite a bit in 2016, down to about 19% -23% from 20%-40%. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir opens with just the slightest touch of gunflint-like reduction on the nose, giving way to red cherries, cranberries and warm raspberry with underlying suggestions of pink peppercorn and flowers. Light to medium-bodied, it gives up great layers of warm red and blue fruits with earthy accents of forest floor, wet earth and bark. It's structured by fine-grained tannins and great juicy acidity carrying the long fruit-forward finish. This is youthfully coiled but should blossom beautifully. (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 93 Points)

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Price: $45

Shea Estate Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 2014

The best way to understand Shea Vineyard in any given vintage is through the Estate, as the grapes used to make this wine are sourced from five different Pinot Noir clones harvested throughout the vineyard. Aromatically, the 2014 Estate expresses blue and black fruit, black cherry, hints of rose petal, and subtle spice notes. The palate is defined by lush blue and black fruit with a long finish and fine grained tannins. (Winemakers Notes)

This fragrant, thoroughly delicious blend is the most widely available offering from this esteemed grower/producer. Floral highlights, ripe cherry fruit, and lightly herbal, slightly stiff tannins are in balance, and show the muscle and structure of a big wine still in its infancy. Tuck it away for a couple more years and watch it blossom. (Wine Enthusiast - 92 Points)

Region: Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Price: $45