Ken Wright Pinot Noir 2023
(Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [WS 92]

Notes from the Winemaker:
Located in rural Carlton, Oregon, Ken Wright Cellars is devoted to showcasing the inherent quality of selected vineyard sites. With a clarity and breadth that is unequaled by other varieties, the people at Ken Wright cellars believe Pinot noir best expresses the character of these sites. Rather than stamping wine with a varietal trademark, they see Pinot noir as a vehicle for conveying the aroma, flavor and texture of the location in which it is grown.

About this Wine:
Shaped by millions of years of plate subduction and volcanic activity, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is one of the premier Pinot noir producing areas in the world. The Willamette Valley AVA was established in 1983, with the initial vineyard plantings beginning in 1966. This 100-mile long, 60-mile wide valley stretches between the Columbia River in the north, to just south of Eugene with the Oregon Coast Range in the west and the Cascade Mountains in the East. Due to the protection of the mountains on eastern and western boundaries, the Willamette Valley is a cooler climate region that provides for a long, gentle growing season, perfect for deliciously complex Pinot noir.

100% Pinot Noir

Blended from 10 of Ken Wright’s single vineyards including: Carter, Abbott Claim, and Canary Hill vineyards

Aged 11 months in neutral French oak

ALCOHOL: 13.2% pH: 3.62% TA: 5.4 g/L

Tasting Notes:
Teeming with fresh red and blue fruits surrounded with savory notes of leather, cola, and hints of clove. The palate is exceptionally balanced with an energetic texture and finish.

About the 2023 Vintage:
2023 was a banner year for us. We had very good crop levels, plenty of heat to ripen properly and had a long season with extended hang time. The weather was very mild avoiding extremes of cold or heat. There were no frost scares at the start of the season and only two days at 100 degrees in the entire growing season. All great wine is about balance. This year the beautiful array of aromatics, plush texture and the frame of acidity are seriously compelling.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Vibrant and snappy, offering layered cherry and cranberry flavors laced with dusky spice, forest floor and rose petal flavors that build toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033." - Tim Fish (Dec 2024)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck (2022):
"A bright ruby color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is very pretty on the nose, with notes of ripe raspberries, crushed wildflowers, sweet spices, and forest earth. Approachable, pure, and elegant, it has a delicate earthy undertone on the finish but a very pure, clean feel. It’s a great lens into the wines of this estate with its lovely and elegant feel. A fantastic value and a darn tasty wine, there’s no need to race to open it. It’s going to drink well over the coming 5-7 years." (Aug 2024)