Pinot Noir is an elegant grape with bright flavors and aromas. On the palate you’ll taste red fruits such as cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. And on the nose, you’ll find aromas of rose, mushroom, and even bacon. It’s one of the best food-pairing red wines with high acidity and smooth tannins that elevate the flavors of many dishes.
But when it comes to growing this grape, it’s not as easy as drinking it. Pinot Noir grapes are delicate and require just the right conditions to grow and produce successful wines. The grapes thrive in cool climates, which keep them from over-ripening and allow the wonderful mouthwatering acidity to develop. Elevation and soil also impart unique qualities on the wine from earthy flavors of mushroom to forest floor.
Pinot Noir hails from Burgundy, France and sets the standard for how this wine is made. Wines from Burgundy tend to be bright and earthy with minerality and earthiness. The variation in topography impacts the grapes significantly and is why bottles are labeled with the name of the village where they are grown.
So, how did this red wine grape make its way to Oregon? In mid-1960s, David Lett (also known as “Papa Pinot”) planted the first Pinot Noir grapes in the Willamette Valley. The cool climate of this region and volcanic soils rich with sediment allowed the grapes to thrive. Today, there are more than 300 wineries in Oregon, many small, family-owned operations, and the majority planted with Pinot Noir.
With so many Oregon wineries producing Pinot Noir, it is hard to nail down the top expressions of this beloved grape. However, we did our best to put together a list of our top 10 Oregon Pinot Noir picks for you to enjoy.
Grove Pinot Noir
Made by Olive Prost, the winemaker behind one of the top-selling brands in Oregon, A to Z Vineyard. Grove is part of our Legends of Wine collection, featuring unique wines made by renowned winemakers. Grove Pinot Noir has aromas of deep fruit from black cherry and plum to blueberry. While the palate is rich with fruit, you’ll find hints of dried herbs and cracked pepper.
Taste: Raspberry, Cranberry, Spice
Body: Medium
Anam Cara Pinot Noir Nicholas Chehalem Mountains
Made from grapes grown on the Chehalem Mountain range in the Willamette Valley, this Pinot Noir has aromas of plum, raspberry, and rose petals with flavors of pomegranate, tea, and spices. It's rounded out by silky soft yet rich tannins and minerality and a long finish.
Taste: Raspberry, Rose
Body: Medium
Alexana Pinot Noir Revana Vineyard, 2014
Wine Spectator awarded this 2014 Pinot Noir 93 points. Apricot, blackberry, and pepper flavors complement the tannins without becoming overwhelmed. It is sleek and harmonious and worthy of every sip.
Taste: Black Cherry, Spice, Raspberry
Body: Medium
Domaine Loubejac Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Handcrafted by winemaker Laurent Montalieu, this Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is inspired by Montalieu’s hometown in Southern France and highlights the similarities between the two wine-growing regions. This Pinot is an excellent everyday wine (it made our Top 20 wines of the year list!) with aromas and flavors of black cherry, raspberry, sweet herbs, and rose petals. The finish is lively and vibrant. The best part of this wine? It’s versatility in pairing with meat from salmon to lamb or pork to filet mignon.
Taste: Black Cherry, Herb
Body: Medium
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Samuel Robert Winery Pinot Noir Family Reserve
Originally from California, Samuel Robert moved to Oregon with his family to join the Oregon wine industry. Raised in a winemaking family, Robert has an understanding and passion for Oregonian wines, specifically Pinot Noir. His wife, Bryn, and he started producing their own wines in 2011, with a focus on approachable and friendly Pinot Noir. This Pinot noir has concentrated flavors and aromas of black cherry cola, earth, and red fruit. It has great structure and intensity with ripe, polished tannins.
Taste: Black Cherry, Red Fruit, Earth
Body: Full
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Coelho Atracao Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, 2019
Rated 90 points by James Suckling, this Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has rich red-cherry and berry aromas with flavors of cherry and raspberry followed by a smooth finish. Don’t let the screw cap make you think otherwise (they are actually great preservers of wine), this is an excellent wine and ready to drink now.
Taste: Cherry, Cedar
Body: Medium
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Elouan Pinot Noir
Produced by fifth-generation winemaker Joe Wagner (also known for California’s Belle Glos), this Pinot Noir features elegant flavors of plum and cherry with a hint of earthiness and sweet tobacco. It all comes together with soft, refined tannins.
Taste: Plum, Cherry
Body: Medium
Conscious Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Made with simple farming and a focus on staying environmentally and sustainably friendly, you will feel good about drinking this elegant Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied with flavors of cherry, earth, minerals, and sweet smoke, this is a great example of a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
Taste: Cherry, Earth, Oak
Body: Medium
Cardwell Hill Pinot Noir Reserve Willamette, 2015
Awarded 90 points by Wine Spectator, this Pinot Noir features lovely floral aromas followed by cherry, raspberry, and blueberry flavors, ending with a touch of spice. Pair this wine with duck, salmon, pork, or mushrooms, you won’t be disappointed.
Taste: Black Cherry, Raspberry
Body: Full
Kudos Pinot Noir Willamette
Crafted by Laurent Monatliue and the Northwest Wine Company (makers of Domaine Loubejac), Kudos Pinot Noir is a handcrafted blend made from select vineyard sites that honor Oregon winemaking. The wine starts off with bright cherry flavors, followed by red plum, and ends with a complex and round finish. Best of all, it is a great complement to a variety of meats from salmon to steak.
Taste: Cherry, Red Plum
Body: Medium
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Argyle Pinot Noir Reserve
James Suckling awarded the Argyle 2017 vintage 92 points and describes it as having, “a gently brambly nose with forest wood and leaves, cast across spiced red-cherry notes.” Wine Spectator awarded the 2018 vintage with 92 points as well, calling it, "refined and sleekly structured, with multilayered raspberry and cherry flavors that are laced with black tea and spice and glide on a long finish. The palate has vibrant acidity and a fresh, fleshy, and smooth-honed core of silky tannin. Nice resolve and balance here.”
Taste: Red Cherry, Mocha
Body: Full
Josh Cellars Pinot Noir Family Reserve
Unlike many wine brands, Josh Cellars is not a product of many generations of winemakers. Originally from upstate New York, Joseph Carr started the brand after discovering his passion for wine. The first wine produced was a Cabernet Sauvignon — big and bold, yet approachable, just like Joes’ dad, Josh. Since the original Cab, Josh Cellars has added a variety of wine styles, including this Oregon Pinot Noir. You’ll find flavors of strawberry, cherry, and pomegranate supported by soft tannins.
Taste: Strawberry, Cherry
Body: Medium
Beyond Oregon, there’s a world of Pinot Noir to explore. Check out our guide to Pinot Noir wine to dive deeper into the history and flavors of this red winemaking grape, or explore our selection of the best Pinot Noirs from around the globe.
