Adelsheim Pinot noir Willamette Valley 09

This is the 31st vintage of Adelsheim's Willamette Valley Pinot noir. It is a blend of numerous vineyards and reflect the variation of clones, elevations, and terroir that each vineyard brings to its grapes. The 09 is classic and intense.

2008 Vintage Tasting Notes

New York Times' Eric Asimov ranked this wine #3 in their Top Ten 2008 Oregon Pinots today 1-17-2011. He called it "lively, structured Adelsheim Willamette Valley..."

"This longtime Oregon name offered its best releases in years with the 2008 vintage, showing a coiled-up power at low alcohol levels (13.5 percent or less). This more affordable blend is taut with leather and huckleberry aromas. As it unwinds, a darker mineral edge will provide a great underpinning to ripe fruit. The 2008 Elizabeth's Reserve ($50) is even more dramatic and unique, with edgy blue fruit flavors, great acidity and classic dried-leaf accents." - Jon Bonne, SF Chronicle

The Adelsheim Pinot noir Willamette Valley - "The result is this elegant, light-bodied wine with red cherry, spicy and dusty mineral aromas and raspberry and cherry flavors, layered with wood spice and smoke. It's kept taut with crisp acidity, finishing with smooth tannins." - Dallas Morning News - 4-15-10

The Adelsheim Pinot noir Willamette Valley 08 displays red fruit and dark cherry characters, both in the nose and on the palate. Wild cherry and juicy raspberry flavors intermingle with hints of spice. Pair this fruit-forward, satin-textured beauty with salmon or ahi, veal or pork, poultry (think duck) and hearty vegetarian entrees.

Wine Spectator's matt Kramer writes: "...If Adelsheim Vineyard has offered a better such bottling in its 35 years of existence, I cannot recall it."- the Oregonian 9/24/06

Kramer continues: "Adelsheim Vineyard "Willamette Valley" Pinot Noir 2005: The greatest effect of all the new pinot noir acreage in the Willamette Valley is a dramatic increase in the non-site-specific bottlings of Oregon pinot noirs. Simply (and bluntly) put, the best are equal or superior to many much more expensive, swinging-for-the-bleachers pinot noirs from single vineyards."

"As a result, producers such as Adelsheim Vineyards are issuing their finest "regular" pinot noirs ever. Given competition at this more economical end, their winemaking hand is necessarily restrained in using expensive new oak barrels. "