2018 Broadley Vineyards, Temperance Hill, Pinot Noir, $48

Winery Info: Founded by Craig and Claudia Broadley who moved to Monroe, Oregon from California in the 1970s with a dream of planting their own vineyard and producing “elegant, earthy, and intriguing wines.”         

The winery is still based in Monroe and continues to be family owned and operated, with their son Morgan now principal winemaker and vineyard manager. They produce wines from their own estate vineyard as well as from other select sites, such as this wine.

Winemaker: Morgan Broadley

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir, Pommard clone. Aged 12 months in French oak, 30% new.

Vineyard: Temperance Hill, a relatively cool site with basalt-based volcanic soil in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Originally planted in 1981, it is now managed by Dai Crisp, of Lumos Wine Company. The location, in the Van Duzer Corrider, provides cool afternoon marine breezes, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop added depth and complexity. The vineyard is certified organic.

Flavor Profile: This Pinot has inviting aromas of ripe red fruit with floral notes and soft flavors of blackberry and black raspberry. With lovely texture, a subtle hint of oak, and balanced acidity, thanks to the long, slow ripening period in the vineyard. It is a very elegant and well-structured Pinot.

Availability: 72 cases made. There are just a few cases left of this vintage.

Drinking Window: Enjoy anytime over the next four to five years.

Food Pairing: This would pair well with lighter meat dishes and foods with peppery notes.

2018 Angela Vineyards, Pinot Noir, $37

Winery Info: Antony Beck is a second-generation wine producer from South Africa, where his family owns Graham Beck and Steenberg Vineyards. His love for Pinot Noir led him to Oregon where he cultivated a friendship with Oregon wine pioneer and renowned Pinot producer Ken Wright. In 2006 Antony, his wife Angela, and Ken planted the first vines of their future winery (named for Antony’s wife). The property now consists of two estate vineyards.

Winemaker: French native Alban Debeaulieu. After studying and working in France for many years, including with Burgundy’s Drouhin family, Alban moved to the U.S. in 2013 to work at Domaine Drouhin in Oregon. He joined Angela Estate in 2017.

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir, aged 11 months on the lees in 30% new French oak barrels.

Vineyard: Sourced from their two organically-farmed vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA.

Flavor Profile: Very soft, savory, and inviting, with velvety texture and flavors of bright red cherries and a nice touch of earthiness. With balancing acidity and well-integrated tannins.

Availability: 2,762 cases made. This wine is still in decent supply.

Drinking Window: Now, or over the next three years.

Food Pairing: Perfect for grilled salmon, perhaps with Burrata and prosciutto, with olive oil and a bit of arugula.