Mission Codename Ribbons and Bows
“The Ribbon Ridge AVA produces some of Oregon’s most profound Pinot Noir.” – Vinous
Pinot people! Burghounds! This is what you’ve been waiting for.
We taste a lot of Pinots. Alas a single vineyard, made from 100% estate fruit in one of the most coveted little plots of land in Willamette Valley, and capable of putting on a show against many a top Burgundy… at this price?! A rare sight, for sure.
“Hot damn, that’s good.” “Ooh, I have a favorite of the day.” “Who made this?!” Just a few comments from your Agents of wine! And then we learned more about this little gem we had in front of us.
Hailing from the pristine Ribbon Ridge AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Norris is the brainchild of winemaker Robert McKinley. They share prime real estate with some of Oregon’s highest rated wineries like Beaux Freres, Brick House, Adelsheim and Penner-Ash.
McKinley practically grew up on the small parcel of land that his parents planted to vine but honed his craft among some of the world’s best. His time at Williams Selyem, WillaKenzie and Jonata as well as Torbreck in Barossa Valley gave him all he needed to fashion a beautiful Burgundian Pinot Noir with all the irresistible character that Ribbon Ridge is known for.
We were blown away by the wine and THEN blown away by the price! You will not find a better deal at well below $30 and over 50% off!
Lush and structured, this wine begs to be blind tasted beside high-end Burgundian beauties. With cherry cola, forest floor and layered herbs, this wine is simply stunning. Cranberries, black tea and a touch of vanilla dance around bright acidity and velvety smooth tannins. This will easily lay down for a few years, but we highly recommend cracking a few bottles open for the holidays.
No scores for the 2021 but the 2020 was rated as “Outstanding” by Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish who found it “supple and detailed, with multilayered red plum and pomegranate flavors highlighted by tea leaf and stony minerality as this builds tension toward refined tannins” and they rated the 2021s much higher calling it an “excellent vintage; Pinots are perfumed, fresh and vibrant” just like this one!
This is the Pinot deal of the century, honestly. Do not delay!
What the Winery Says
2021 Ribbon Ridge Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
- Winemaker
- Robert McKinley
- Varietal
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2021
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Appellation
- Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon
- Soils
- Willakenzie (Marine Sedimentary)
- Fermentation
- 15% whole cluster
- Aging
- 11 months
- Barrels
- 20% new French oak