Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec 2010

Review:

Like the best 2010s, this smells incredible. Effusive red fruit, red licorice, cinnamon, hints of Douglas fir. The entry is beautiful and silky, with creamy cherry and dark berry gliding from the tip of your tongue to the back of your throat. Le Puits Sec is an elegant wine with penetrating persistence. While it's irresistible today, cellaring for 2-6 years (or longer, if you like) will make magic. - Marcus

Made from the winery's 13 acre estate Le Puits Sec Vineyard, planted in 1985 by former owner Russ Raney. Russ is an advocate of dry farming, and the vines grew without irrigation, producing the kind of complex, enticing flavors that only come from "deep roots" Pinot noir grapes. Current owner Erin Nuccio keeps up and expands the tradition with his preference whenever possible for non-irrigated organic grapes.

A 2012 September Reserve Pinot noir Club Selection

#2 in SF Chronicle recommended 2010 Pinots: For me, few wineries capture the transparency of Oregon flavors like this longtime producer, founded in 1986 and now owned by Erin Nuccio. The 2010 Puits Sec marks a transition year to Nuccio's hand. Gorgeous and deft - with a Volnay-like light touch. Bing cherry, dried sachet, watermelon rind and a distinct minerality. The 2010 Illahe Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($30, 13%), from a warmer site, is still subtle but with darker earth aspects. - the Chronicle

94 Points, Portland Monthly 50 Top Oregon Wines.

Wine Advocate 91+ Points (9/2012)

Classic Le Puits Sec flavors of ripe plum, violet and white pepper are complimented by earthy mushroom and a silky texture. - The winemaker

below, Erin Nuccio introduces his new wines at an Avalon wine dinner

2009 Vintage

Crush inspiring. I'm saying this as one wino to another: you need this Pinot.

Fresh black cherry and raspberry, with a dusting of Christmas spice towards the back of your palate. The heart-melting interplay of sweet fruit, juicy acidity, a savory-resin awesomeness and classic Le Puits Sec dried herbs whisks you away. I can talk about a food match (duck confit, anyone?) but this is comfort food in a glass. - Marcus

From winemaker, Erin Nuccio: "The Le Puits Sec is our estate vineyard. It's 13 acres and was certified organic in 2000. It means a lot to us. The 25 year old vines are dry farmed and "own-rooted" which means no grafting. This is our very special vineyard…it reminds us of Burgundy.

For the 2009, we really hope the wines represent the vintage, that they let the terroir speak. When I studied winemaking in California and told people I wanted to move to Oregon to make Pinot noir, they said it could be done but the vintages would be very erratic as if that was a real negative. I believe that's what keeps it real and exciting and we hope that excitement carries through in our wines."

Evesham Wood Wine's Le Puits Sec 09 is fruit forward and fully reveals itself as its complexity leaps from the glass. Ample acidity, classic LPS flavors and aromas, and a silky textured mid-palate.

2007 Vintage

Silky and creamy, vibrant and fresh. It opens with scents of rose and raspberry, with a little cherry burst and a darker berry element beneath. There's a touch of forest before the finish, which holds a blackberry cobbler note mingling with ultra-subtle dried herbs. The 07 Le Puits Sec is deliciously drinkable right now - expect it to age nicely too. Highly recommended. - Marcus

Evesham Wood's Le Puits Sec (The Dry Well) vineyard is organically certified and dry farmed. It produces exceptional wine year in, year out.

2006 Vintage

Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot noir 06 is one of the standouts of the vintage. Evesham Pinots are elegant and classy, as close to Burgundy as Oregon gets. Combining that house style with the ripe, forward 2006 vintage, Le Puits Sec 06 exhibits gorgeous aromas of red fruit perfume and spice. A generous core of cherries is accented by currants and dark berries. Tiny herbal notes appear on the integrated finish. Expect the 2006 Le Puits Sec to drink well upon release and continue developing for five years, or, while you wait for your 2005 Evesham wines to evolve!

Russ Raney's estate vineyard, Le Puits Sec (the dry well), is certified organic and dry farmed. It produces exceptional grapes each vintage.