Elk Cove Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2021
In 1974, fourth generation Oregon farmer Joe Campbell and his wife, Pat decided to buy a unique plot of land in the farthest reaches of the Northern Willamette Valley near Gaston. Even today – there’s pretty much no wine grown further afield. At the time, there were less than a dozen wineries in the whole state – and not a single one anywhere nearby.
Most people told the Campbells that they were crazy. It was too cold and the conditions too harsh to grow quality Pinot Noir at these extremes. Undeterred they selected the area around a few hill top ponds that formed a small cove where herds of elk would collect to drink.
And while the conditions were extreme, they somehow managed to find perfect balance. The extreme northern location and elevation (750 feet above sea level – still one of Oregon’s highest), seemed to find their match in extended sunshine and growing season afforded by the sun-baked southern exposure of the estate vineyards.
But the most important feature couldn’t be seen with the naked eye, it was that highly cherished Willakenzie soil – marine sediment soil that is perfectly equipped to drain and aid vine development.
Original price was: $35.00.$31.50Current price is: $31.50.
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92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir, made with about 15% whole clusters, has a medium ruby-purple color and pure scents of cranberries, baked rhubarb and allspice with wafts of forest floor, charcuterie and orange zest. The palate is light on its feet with generous, floral fruit, refreshing acidity and a soft, approachable frame, and it has a satisfying, spicy finish.
91 Points, Wine Spectator
Elk Cove winemaker Adam Campbell, son of founders Pat and Joe Campbell, makes a range of Pinot Noirs, but his dynamic Willamette Valley bottling is the most accessible in terms of price, case production and taste. It offers vivacious cranberry flavors with floral and citrus highlights. Campbell used grapes only from Elk Cove’s six estate vineyards and fermented the 2021 in small, open-top steel tanks before aging it for ten months in French oak.
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This draws from all six estate vineyards, and one sniff erases all the smoke and angst of the 2020 vintage. It’s fresh and fragrant with mixed berries, particularly flavors of just-picked marionberries, and lively with minerally acids. It spent 10 months in barrel, just long enough to pull itself together and add a gentle touch of caramel to the finish.
92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 91 Points, Wine Spectator – 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
That ‘Top 100’ tally may very well be going up after the 2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir hit the market. It’s simply outstanding and every single critic who has gotten their hands on this wine has gone completely gaga for it. Wine Spectator included them in their ‘Top 8 Pinot Noirs From Oregon Under $35’ piece a few weeks ago. Wine Enthusiast gave it a 91 and called it “fresh and fragrant”. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate took it a point higher and called it, “light on its feet with generous, floral fruit”.
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