Left Coast Cellars~2019 Estate White Pinot Noir ~ Willamette Valley, Oregon ~ Van Duzer AVA

The Vigneview

As a native Oregonian, it’s wonderful to see Aldi selling this Left Coast Cellars 2019 Estate White Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. While it may seem like a bit of a pricey wine at £12.99 per bottle; however, this is such a great way to start exploring Oregon wines. Not many are sold in the UK and I’ve never seen one at this price point…they’re usually £20 on upwards. Additionally, this wine is from one of the newest AVA’s in Oregon, the Van Duzer Corridor, which was officially approved in December 2018.  

This beautiful part of the Willamette Valley enjoys moderate to warm sunny days during the summer months along with daily afternoon Pacific Ocean breezes that blow through the Van Duzer Corridor, which is a gap in the Coastal Mountain range.  These coastal  breezes help ease disease pressure on the grapes while also gently cooling them.  A wide range in daily temperatures enables the grapes to develop more elegance along with additional aromatic and flavour complexities.  

This wine is a blend of Pinot Noir (91%), Pinot Meunier (6%) and Pinot Blanc (3%).  Pinot Noir offers structure and elegance, while Pinot Meunier provides floral aromatics and fruity notes and Pinot Blanc adds body, creating a more rounded mouthfeel.  The grapes are cold pressed at extremely low temperatures in order to extract as little colour as possible. The juice is then aged for six months in stainless steel tanks. 

You’ll enjoy lovely aromas of honeysuckle, ripe pears, juicy yellow plums and subtle nutty cashew notes.  On the palate, further notes of pineapple along with moderate acidity and a rounded mouthfeel follow on a lengthy finish.  Enjoy this wine on its own or with food.  I enjoyed it poolside and then with mushroom arancini balls…delicious!