2022 White Walnut Estate Pinot Noir Estate South Blocks Dundee Hills 750ML

The Oregon Pinot’s from 2022 are across the board fantastic and I am always on the lookout for great Pinot Noir. I spoke to a customer recently who mentioned that she was tasting wines in Oregon at Archery Summit with the winemaker. They are huge Pinot fans and asked if he could recommend something new for them to try that’s phenomenal. He immediately recommended White Walnut and the hunt was on. Chris Mazepink purchased the site in 2013, formerly a walnut orchard in the middle of Dundee Hills one of the finest places in the Willamette Valley for Pinot Noir. The property neighbors two Oregon Pinot greats, Domaine Drouhin and Archery Summit.  Chris has deep roots in wine, having been head winemaker at such esteemed Oregon wineries as Archery Summit, Shea Wine Cellars and Benton Lane. The Pinot Noir’s and Chardonnay’s that I have tasted are spectacular and we have been able to secure a small amount of their superb 2022 White Walnut Estate Pinot Noir Estate South Blocks, huge 95pts Parker and 96pts IWR. The wine is a cacophony of textures; flavors and aromas. Glorious length and layering and a must for Oregon Pinot Noir lovers in fact Pinot Lovers across the board.

The first impression is one of salted blueberries, sassafras, dark cherries and a lingering dark chocolate finish that’s so unique. It’s the salted minerality part to this wine that elongates the finish with lingering flavors of bittersweet chocolate, plum juice, and red currants creating such a savory delight. Winemaker

Matured in around 30% to 35% new oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Estate South Blocks has intense aromas of raspberry jam and pomegranate accented by notes of cardamom, autumn leaves and mushrooms. The palate is much more open at this early stage and is bursting with flavors of berry preserves and spice. It’s structured by finely chalky tannins and mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle or a couple of hours in a decanter. Drink Date: 2025 – 2040. 95pts Parker’s WA