The Vigneview
If you’re not familiar with a Beaux Frères Pinot Noir, then you must have been hiding under a barrel for quite some time! Beaux Frères is located in Oregon’s famous Ribbon Ridge AVA, which is located just north of the Dundee hills. Founded in 1986 by brother-in-laws ‘beaux frères’ Michael Etzel and Robert Parker, a renowned wine critic. Together, they have established Beaux Frères wines as the benchmark for top quality in Oregon.
While rummaging through my cellar, I came across this Beaux Frères 2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The grapes sourced for this bottle came from a variety of vineyards around the Willamette Valley, including 4% from Beaux Frères. Even though this is a pricer Pinot Noir (£43 retail), I’m always blown away by the complexity of aromas, flavours and memorable finish that a Beaux Frères wine offers, and this one is no exception. Filled with aromas of red cherries and raspberries, accompanied by flavours of strawberry and baking space with subtle tannins and a lengthy, rounded finish. You’ll want to buy another bottle!
Food Pairing
I highly recommend serving this with my chicken tarragon cooked in white wine recipe. The bright red fruit flavours and fresh acidity of the wine, cut through the creaminess of the white wine sauce so it doesn’t seem too heavy. While the earthy umami flavours from the chicken and mushrooms pair perfectly well with the earthiness found within an Oregon Pinot Noir. The elegance of this wine is evident not only in the rounded mouthfeel and lengthiness on the palate, but the array of terroir represented only help to enhance the complexities.
Cheers! x
Producer: Beaux Frères Vineyards
Country: USA
Region: Oregon
Vintage: 2016
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Closure: Cork
Style: Still
Price: £43
Colour: Medium Ruby Red
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium-high
Alcohol: 14.1%
Body: Medium-bodied
Aromas/Flavours: Red cherry, raspberry, spice and earthy notes.
Drinking Window: Drink now but can benefit from some more time in the cellar