Mission Codename Earth to Erath, Earth to Erath, is that price real?
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! - We are genuinely grateful, our dearest Operatives, for all your kind and generous support.
And on that note… we’re not just hungry for turkey but also for killer Pinot deals around here. Hope you are having some today!
How about a double 92 pointer, at 58% OFF to enjoy later?
Erath is an icon. This Oregon winery has the longest history of winemaking in the Willamette region. In 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle bought them and proceeded to give anything and everything they wanted to level up the quality even more. That included purchasing the Willakia Vineyard. Winemaker Gary Horner was ecstatic about the opportunity, noting the fruit coming from this location was on another level. They aren’t the only ones who know the secret, as an ex-Sine Qua Non winemaker’s cult status Antica Terra also sources fruit from an adjacent block of vines.
As Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate testified, “Erath is once again a name to be reckoned with in the Willamette Valley wine scene as the investment by the Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Group is starting to pay dividends.” which is exactly what we found in this bottle.
We tasted this and shared the same swoon-worthy opinion. In fact, this was one bottle we fought over at last week’s tasting. So lovable, it’s ripe, lush, stylish, and classy. This has it going on - pure cherry cola, wild strawberries, pomegranate, and a dusting of exotic spices like star anise and nutmeg. Simply loaded with fruit, and bracing acidity that makes it the ideal pick for so many meals… a grilled or smoked prime cut of wild-caught Pacific Northwest or Alaskan salmon comes to mind, mmm.
Drinks like a $60+ bottle. But it’s not $50. Not even $30. Ours is the lowest price on the planet, and if you enjoy world class Pinot you deserve a stack of this one.
92 Points – James Suckling
“This shows dried flowers, lemon rind, strawberries and hints of cedar. The palate is delicate with a good backbone of acidity, velvety tannins and a clean finish.”
92 Points – Wine Spectator
“Broad and generous, this is open-textured and deftly balanced, showing peppermint-accented strawberry and pomegranate flavors that dance easily into the long and expressive finish. Best from 2018 through 2024.”
Tasting Profile
Cherry cola, wild strawberry, pomegranate, anise-nutmeg
Look | Ruby gemstone coloration transitioning to bright magenta |
---|---|
Smell | Pure cherry cola, wild strawberries, pomegranate, exotic anise, and nutmeg |
Taste | Simply loaded with fruit, so lovable, it’s ripe, lush, stylish, and classy |
Finish | The long finish and bracing acidity make it an ideal pick for many meals |
Pairing | Wild-caught Pacific Northwest or Alaskan salmon, grilled or smoked |
What the Winery Says
2014 Willakia Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
- Winemaker
- Gary Horner
- Varietal
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2014
- Appellation
- Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Vineyard
- Willakia Vineyard
- Clones
- 777 (46%), Pommard (31%), 115 (23%)
- Total acidity
- 6.5 g/L
- pH
- 3.65
- Harvest dates
- September 15 - 25, 2014
Aging :13 months
- Barrels
- 40% new French oak