Arterberry Maresh "Maresh Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2018
(Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [WA 95+] [VM 95] [WS 93]

From the Winery:

"If Oregon vineyards were classified like Burgundy Maresh would certainly be a Grand Cru. The philosophy at Arterberry Maresh adheres to old vine Dundee Hills fruit, alcohols under 14% (preferably mid 12 to lower 13%), new oak kept under 15% on Pinot, no pumping, no fining, no filtering, no acidulating, no watering. The goal is purity of fruit and naturality expressing terroir with elegance and ageworthiness."

95+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

“The 2018 Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard is an incredible wine. It opens slowly to an arresting perfume of dusty earth, dried rose petals, tea leaves, licorice and amaro with a wealth of bright red berry fruit at the core. The palate is elegant, supple and juicy, with an expansive fan of layered, spicy flavors and a very long finish. It's hard to resist now, but it will have more to offer with time in bottle."

95 Points - Vinous:
"Vivid magenta. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes red and blue fruit preserves, incense and potpourri, along with a building Asian spice nuance and a hint of savory herbs. Concentrated yet lithe in character, offering palate-staining Chambord, boysenberry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors sharpened by an undercurrent of smoky minerality. Finishes sweet, seamless and impressively long, with repeating florality and discreet, well-knit tannins.

Third-generation grower and winemaker Jim Maresh continues to produce outstanding wines, both Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, as this year proved yet again. His “basic” Dundee Hills bottling is reliably one of the best entry-level Pinot Noirs in the US, and while the bulk of his work is focused on his family’s 124-acre (and growing) estate vineyard in the heart of the Dundee Hills, he is also doing superb work with fruit from the highly esteemed Weber vineyard, which lies just down the road. Maresh is quite keen on his 2018s, which he says have the solid structure that he desires in Pinot Noir. He told me that the 2019s don’t lack for solid bones, either, but the earlier vintage has a bit more of the power he looks to achieve." -JR (2/2022)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Sleek and refined, with floral aromas of raspberry and smoky tea opening to vibrant cherry and spice flavors that build tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2028. 1,439 cases made."

Burghound:
An exuberantly fresh and bright nose is comprised by the ripe and overtly spicy essence of red currant and briar hints. The succulent but decidedly punchy medium-bodied flavors are at once generous and seductive yet refined while still managing to retain good precision on the distinctly austere finale. This is also understated and provides a distinct contrast between the mid-palate and finish. Drink 2025+.