I’d go with 15 Bishop Creek. 13 WR still has significant upside IMO - a recent one tasted very young - and the others are still too young IMO. While not having tried recently, I’d think The combo of 15 vintage and Bishop Creek would result in a very nice wine at this stage.
I love the 2013 WR. Not sure I’ve tried the 2018 TH because I haven’t found that vineyard to be early to open.
-Al
Just off the top of my head:
'13 Whistling Ridge PN (very pretty and expressive, can be quite tannic, lots of pale red flowers)
'15 Bishop Creek PN (drinking well but a bigger and darker wine than the typical Goodfellow Pinot Noir)
'16 Whistling Ridge PN (this has been really pretty, early maturity with structure still, but great food wine and a lovely vintage for pulling a cork on)
'17 WR Last Acre PN (cool wine, a bit funky and just beginning to open up)
'18 Temperance Hill PN (bigger and 2018s are mostly shut down)
Thanks all (and especially Marcus - one of the best things about this forum is you can sometimes simply ask the winemaker!)
Think I’m going to try the '13 WR on the theory I’ve got a couple more that I can let sleep if I don’t think this one’s ready yet. Anyone have a recommended decant protocol? Do I need to worry about sediment?
Hey Justin, we had the '13 WR back in November. We gave it 3 hours of air and it showed even better about an hour after that. I don’t remember any sediment but don’t quote me on this. --Other Justin
What about '13 Whistling Ridge Heritage or '17 WR Long Acre? I have both on deck
Two cases in today. Going to try realllly hard to not pop one of these sparklers. Wish me luck.
I like both of those but you probably want to open them for a day before really getting into them. I loved the 2017 Long Acre after it was open overnight. It was good from the start but felt a bit coiled, that really settled down by day 2 and it was my favorite 2017 so far.
I’ve drunk through half the case recently. It’s in the zone.
Agreed, had a few since October and they’ve been fantastic. A couple hours of air helps as well.
I had 17 last acre this last weekend and thought it was great. Mostly primary notes but quite open. I found it more pure and perfumed than the funky that Marcus mentioned. Great spice notes as well. I think even better days are a few years out but if you have a few this would be a good choice I’d say. 13 WR has been great for a couple years now. A great wine to follow over an evening.
Edit: Missed your post on decant recommendations for the 13 WR. An hour should be good and then follow from there. I do not recall much sediment. As others have mention it’s really good right now. Sadly down to my last bottle
Just to get limbered up I cracked my only bottle of the 2021 Whistling Ridge blanc tonight. Holy smokes - this was 28 bucks? Riesling nose, pivot to a Pinot driven palate with spicy Pinot blanc white and yellow stone fruit, bit of Pinot noir cherry, searing acidity, dense grippy chalkiness, long finish. Startling QPR.
The only wine that I have recent experience with from the list is the 2013 Goodfellow Whistling Ridge Pinot Noir. As usual, I agree with the Tallman. Based on my sampling of other 2015 Oregon Pinot Noirs, I think that the 2015 Goodfellow Bishop Creek Pinot Noir would be in a good zone.
Likewise, I found the 2013 Whistling Ridge to be shy and reserved about 2-3 months ago for my taste. I thought it was better on Day 2+. I’ll need to pull another bottle in the near future. As others have recommended, I would give the 2013 some air if that’s your selection, but that would be a general recommendation for any of these wines. No harm in pulling a cork a few hours ahead of time, tasting and following the wine over a day or multiple days. If you are in the Charlotte area, I’ll be more than happy to open some Goodfellow or Matello wines for you. Wonderful wines and people. Please enjoy…
I’ve drank and enjoyed eight bottles of 2013 Whistling Ridge, but I lack good taste and judgment. I will add that if an eleven year old Goodfellow PN is not yet ready to drink, us old guys are screwed regarding more recent vintages.
I’ve drank and enjoyed eight bottles of 2013 Whistling Ridge, but I lack good taste and judgment. I will add that if an eleven year old Goodfellow PN is not yet ready to drink, us old guys are screwed regarding more recent vintages.
Agree
By no means are the 13s not ready to drink (with ample aeration/over multiple days), but based on the choices presented by the poster 15 is likely drinking well and close to peak. I don’t feel that way about 13 (or the other vintages he mentioned).
I could be totally wrong, but if all the 10-19 vintages, I think 14 and 15 have the least long-term upside and am drinking them ahead of other vintages. YMMV
Just to be a pill, I enjoyed them all basically PnP in the span of a few hours (Thus the lack good taste and judgment.). And “aught” refers to 00-09 vintages. But I do agree that the 14s and 15s are the best choice for current guzzling.
24 bottles of Goodfellow arrived on my doorstep today. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them gets opened tonight!
I had the 13 Whistling Ridge last weekend. As Marcus said, it is a bit tannic still and definitely needs time if you open it. I personally have preferred Goodfellow pinots from 15 and 17 over 13, which is consistent with my view about Oregon in general. I think the Goodfellow 15s have been drinking the best for me.
Think 2014 Whistling Ridge Pinot Noir would be ready?