Roserock
(Drouhin) Zephirine Pinot Noir 2022
(Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon) - [JD 97] [IWR 97] [WS 94] [VM 93]
Regular price $78.00 Sale price $64.97 Save $13.03
About the Winery:
Drouhin Oregon's Roserock is the newest chapter in the Drouhin story, extending from Burgundy's Cote d'Or and Chablis, to the Dundee Hills of Oregon, and now Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills. The Roserock Vineyard sits at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills, in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and is marked by ancient volcanic soils, an ideal elevation range and the unique cooling effect of the Van Duzer corridor. This allows the vineyard to produce classic cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Roserock is LIVE-certified sustainable and is farmed by Phillipe Drouhin, fourth generation of this historic family.
About the Wine:
This blend of the finest barrels of Roserock Pinot Noir is named for the fragrant “Zéphirine Drouhin” variety of thornless climbing rose, introduced in 1868. Fittingly, the dark-ruby Zéphirine Pinot Noir has an intoxicating perfume of roses, violets, strawberries, and cacao. The complexity and finesse of this lyrical wine will reward cellar age, although it drinks deliciously upon release.
- Fruit Source: Roserock Vineyard
- AVA: Eola-Amity Hills
- Sustainable Certification: LIVE
Veronique's Tasting Notes
The 2022 Zéphirine Pinot Noir embodies the poetic qualities of our Roserock vineyard. It is alive with aromas of freshly picked raspberries, citrus, and marionberries, followed by delicate traces of rose petals and violets. On the palate, there is a vibrant mix of juicy strawberries, cardamom, fruit, and spice. Both subtle and strong-willed, the 2022 Zéphirine is charming in its youth, with a silky-smooth texture and balanced structure that promise a long future.
Vineyard Notes
Roserock is an extraordinary vineyard at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills, in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Ancient volcanic soils, an ideal elevation range and the unique cooling effect of the Van Duzer corridor produce classic cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Roserock is LIVE-certified sustainable.
Production Notes
Our Zéphirine Pinot Noir is a barrel selection cuvée from the Roserock vineyard, and is a reference expression of the site. Zéphirine conveys purity and beauty, reflects winemaker Véronique Drouhin’s dedication to elegance and finesse, and will age meaningfully for years to come. The name refers to the Zéphirine Drouhin variety of climbing rose, which is known for its fragrance and beauty.
Vintage Notes
The 2022 growing season began with great optimism. After a reasonable winter, bud break started in early April, right on schedule. Then, an unprecedented arctic air mass swept in, bringing snowfall, below-freezing temperatures, and the first-ever frost to impact our vineyards. Subsequent cool and damp conditions over the next few months caused sluggish vine growth, putting us 2-4 weeks behind by June. Mercifully, Mother Nature bestowed abundant sunshine and higher-than-average temperatures on us as harvest approached, resulting in a gentle conclusion to the season and excellent fruit ripeness.
Ratings & Reviews
97 Points - Int'l Wine Review:
One of the better wines that I’ve had from Roserock, this one the 2022 Zéphrine Pinot Noir. I gravitate towards wines from the Eola-Amity as I feel they are a little more elegant, fresh, and fruit-forward than their counterparts from other AVAs. Sporting a gorgeous medium ruby-purple core with a blue rim in the glass, the bountiful notes of mountain blueberries, blue plum skin, sweet allspice, Meyer lemon zest, toasted almonds, and cedary herbs take things to another level. Tannins are crunchy and incredibly balanced with near-perfect levels of acidity while the finish goes on forever. Better in 2025. Highly recommended and Editor’s choice.
97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
A richer red hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Zephine Roserock is also more floral and has some savory elements, but it also has a more pronounced dark stone mineral tone, with violets, black raspberries, tea leaf, and toasted spices. Medium-bodied, it’s ripe but has fantastic linear drive through its floral-noted finish, and the lift almost suggests whole cluster, yet it’s entirely destemmed. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This version is loaded with tension and tightly structured at this point, but also dynamic with cherry and blueberry flavors that are laced with clove, cardamom and other dusky spices as this builds tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032." - Tim Fish (Jun 2024)
93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2022 Pinot Noir Roserock Zéphirine opens with a candied personality as autumnal spices and hints of licorice give way to wild blueberries. Cool-toned and racy in character, this soothes with its silky textures as ripe red berry fruits saturate and grippy tannins mount toward the close. The 2022 finishes incredibly fresh and admirably long and structured, leaving an air of sweet lavender." - Eric Guido (Aug 2024)