96 Points Vinous: The 2023 Pinot Noir Stater Vineyard blossoms with a captivating bouquet of crushed blackberries, rosemary, sage and freshly shaved cedar. Zesty on the palate, it shows a core of stimulating acidity with saline mineral tones and tart red berry depth. Grippy tannins build structure as licorice and citrus notes linger with a sensati...Show More >
96 Points Vinous: The 2023 Pinot Noir Stater Vineyard blossoms with a captivating bouquet of crushed blackberries, rosemary, sage and freshly shaved cedar. Zesty on the palate, it shows a core of stimulating acidity with saline mineral tones and tart red berry depth. Grippy tannins build structure as licorice and citrus notes linger with a sensation of liquid stone. A wine of energy and tension — built for the cellar. – Eric Guido
Winery Notes
2023 is my first year of leasing Stater Vineyard, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s situated directly between The Eyrie Vineyards estate vineyard and Durant Vineyard: talk about provenance! As stated on the back label, “Sylvia Stater and her late husband, Wayne Stater, whose family roots have been in Oregon for generations, founded this enchanting little vineyard in an area of Dundee that has long been considered by many to be hallowed ground for Pinot noir. Encircled by a towering grove of cedars, firs and other mixed trees and bathed in birdsong, there’s something that feels magical about it. I love being there.”
The 2023 is medium-dark red with youthful brilliance, transparency, and lovely plays of light. The gorgeous nose is filled with ripe, red berries and cherries with minerals and spices. Already, just on the nose, there is beautiful depth that continues in the mouth on a detailed frame of serious structure. This is a super-focused, high-relief Pinot that reminds me of how high pixels give more depth and richness to an image. There are some very subtle, delicious savory components that balance the fruit. It has nice acidity and a long, clean, silky finish that delivers the details to the end.
Appellation: Dundee Hills A.V.A.
Picking Date: 14 September 2023 (planted in 1990 on rootstock)
Barrels: neutral Burgundy barrels (228L) made from tight-grain French forests
Bottling Date: 11 June 2024
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Whole Cluster: about 10%
Cases Produced: 196 cases
< Show Less
