2023 Temperance Hill Pinot Noir
96 Points | James Suckling – A complex and brooding Pinot Noir that showcases the distinctive character of Temperance Hill. Aromas of black cherry and dark raspberry bramble are interwoven with dried sage and exotic rooibos, while the palate unfolds with huckleberries, red apple skins, and rhubarb compote, finishing with luxardo cherries and warm sandalwood notes. This wine’s structured tannins and bright acidity make it exceptionally food-friendly.
Comprised of pinot noir grapes from Temperance Hill vineyard located in the Eola-Amity Hills. The vines were planted in 1981 in volcanic basalt-jory, nekia, and ritner soil. Temperance Hill Vineyard is farmed organically.
Only 175 cases produced!
Flavor Notes
96 Points | James Suckling - A masterpiece of delicacy. Fragrant and silky, this is an incredibly beautiful Oregon pinot that glides over your palate with violet and Amarena cherry flavors. Extremely long finish that’s so refined. From a high-altitude vineyard with volcanic basalt soil. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.
Showing a lot of rich oak notes, including brown sugar, maple leaf and vanilla bean pod along with black cherry, black plum, red apple skin, dried leaves sage and rosemary, roses, generous with its aromatic qualities as well as palate, well balanced and acid, baked strawberry, baked rhubarb, cinnamon, brambly, rooibos tea leaf.
General Manager/Sommelier
Bright and cozy. Like a campfire on a summer night. Extremely friendly red fruit tucked behind a touch of warm spice. Cherry Danish delight. Your best pal at a baseball game. It’s hard to dislike. Drink now or save for the right time.
Production Associate
Winemaking Notes
The 2023 growing season kicked off with a late budbreak, reminiscent of 2011. Following budbreak, a sudden shift to warm, dry weather marked the season, with only one June rain event.
Ideal summer weather prevailed until a brief hot spell in August. Harvest commenced in late August, progressing smoothly until rains in September, which delayed picking but alleviated drought stress.
Overall, fruit quality remained excellent, with balanced acidity and moderate sugars. While rain disrupted harvest timing, some fruit still met the 100-day bloom-to-harvest rule, suggesting no significant quality differences pre- and post-rain. 2023 wines will have beautiful concentration, exceptional freshness, and flavors.
- Type
- Red
- Varietal
- Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2023
- Vineyards
- Temperance Hill
- Case production
- 175
- Aging
- 11 months
- Crush format
- Hand sorted & 100% Destemmed
- Bottling date
- 2024-08-08
- Harvest date
- 2023-09-22
- Vessel
- French oak
- Alcohol percentage
- 13.5
- Ph
- 3.51
- Acid
- 5.2 g/L
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