I’m curious how all you fellow Oregon pinot noir drinkers are finding the vintages from the last decade or so, and what you’re drinking.
Starting with 2008, my stock is down to about a case and to be honest, there have been very few stunning bottles from the vintage (CT shows I bought about 10 cases). It’s been pretty disappointing relative to the hype for my palate. Few bad wines, but not many that really stunned me. You might argue I drank them too early, but I think most were consumed at age 6-10. I’m sitting on my remaining heavy hitters hoping for magic.
Looking over consumption for 2009, I actually bought a little more than in 2008, reflecting me getting more into Oregon at that point in time rather than enthusiasm for the vintage, but I think I had more wines that I enjoyed earlier on relative to 2008 and I only have a handful left. I don’t have any regrets for that vintage.
I checked my stock of 2010s today and was shocked to see I only have about 1.5 cases left out of about 24 cases purchased. These wines have shown well since release and continue to be my favorite vintage. I’ve felt compelled to open them freely since release and now have only my highest regarded wines left (e.g., Thomas, DDO Laurene, Matello Souris, etc.).
In 2011 I was hooked on the cool climate ideology after 2010 and went deep on 2011s, with 27 cases and now have about 8 cases left. I now open them almost indiscriminately and generally find them incredibly refreshing and like a time machine back into cooler days and lighter colors. These are unique wines to me and while not all have the stuffing to make old bones, the notes I find on CT claiming these wines are past due and tired are completely misguided. There was a time I was concerned about whether these wines would open up and show the magic but if you’re into the AFWE styled wines, these are incredibly satisfying. A recent 2011 that was truly great was the Ayres Pioneer.
On release the 2012s were monolithic and dark and boring to me. Very little aromatics or character jumped out at all. I bought about 14 cases and have 5 left. They are starting to show pretty well but I’m not super impressed. The Matello Souris from 2012 (which often takes longer to show due to the austere nature) is starting to show some character and I had a great bottle last month. Not sure if they are overdone or not, like the 2008s, but I am keeping hope alive.
2013 is an underrated high-acid and red fruited vintage from many producers. PGC created absolutely perfectly balanced and lovely wines in this year and Goodfellow/Matello crafted ripping and intense wines that make me so very excited, and define the Oregon style I came to love when I got into all of this.
I cannot say too much more about more recent vintages as I am trying to avoid drinking them until they mature a bit but they all do sort of run together. They don’t resonate with me like cooler vintages but I am excited about 2016 and the supposed spike in acidity and freshness. I would love to hear how others have experienced the vintages and their enjoyment or lack thereof in the cellar. But in the end, whether it is my own bias or not, I think what Oregon does best is in cooler vintages. Cheers all.