Dallas, OR—Van Duzer Vineyards proudly releases a new vintage of the flagship Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Created by Burgundy-born Winemaker Florent “Flo” Merlier, this signature variety encompasses the structured, complex, fruit-forward wines that mark the premium wines made at Van Duzer’s hilltop estate. The vineyard and winery is named for its location within the Van Duzer corridor, a path where cool wind sweeps in from the Pacific Ocean and influences optimal growing conditions where the typically fussy Pinot Noir grape can thrive.
This new release opens with layers of Bing and wild strawberries and stewed plums that harmonize with white peppercorn, bourbon, vanilla and hints of roasted almonds. Floral notes of lilac and rose petals compliment the subtle fragrance of butterscotch. Its savory attack leads into a bright, acid-driven mid palate. Ample tannins create a generous structure progressing towards the wine’s triumphant finish: vanilla and cherry cola laced with hints of graham crackers.
Early accolades and awards praising the 2013 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir include a Double Gold Award from the San Francisco International Wine Competition and Sip Northwest Magazine’s Best of the Northwest list, ranking it as one of the year’s Best Pinot Noirs.
Vinous’ Josh Reynolds describes the wine as “Bright red. Peppery redcurrant and cherry on the nose, with hints of succulent herbs and earth in the background. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and licorice flavors as well as a licorice nuance that gains strength in the glass. Closes taut but a bit dry, with dusty tannins.”
Rusty Gaffney of PinotFile writes that the wine has “good character and flavor featuring red cherry, spice, tobacco and dried herb flavors. Light and easy, with suede tannins and a silky mouthfeel. Solid.”
2013 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir retails for $32, and is available at www.vanduzer.com and at select wine retailers and restaurants nationwide. Contact mia@vanduzer.com for press samples and more information.
VINEYARD: 96%Van Duzer Vineyards, Willamette Valley; 3% Kalita Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton AVA; 1% Saffron Fields Vineyards, Yamhill-Carlton AVA
VINIFERA: 100% Pinot Noir: 22% Pommard, 9% Dijon 828, 20% Dijon 777, 9% Dijon 667, 19% Wädenswil, 8% Dijon 113, 12% Dijon 115, 1% Dijon 114
ALCOHOL: 13.4%
Van Duzer Vineyards is an Oregon family winery with vineyards that benefit from the unique microclimate created by Oregon’s Van Duzer Corridor, a break in the coastal mountain range that allows cool maritime breezes to flow into the Willamette Valley. These conditions and Van Duzer’s signature winemaking style result in wines with bright fruit character, generous complexity and pleasing balance. The Thoma family practices sustainable farming on the vineyards and has been endorsed by internationally recognized LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon Safe. For more information, please visit http://www.vanduzer.com.
