We decided to taste this Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley Vineyards up against their Estate Pinot Noir. Garnet red and slight bricking, not as red as the 14 Estate. Stinky floral notes, rotting flowers, some dirt and lead. No where close to as fruity as the 14 Estate. Low tannins (4.5/10) and moderate acidity (5.5/10). Medium bodied with lots of vanilla, caramel and brown sugar. Moderate plus metallic finish. Slightly dry too. Definitely not as strong as the 14 Estate but more approachable now.

Williamette Valley Vineyards (WVV) was established in 1983 by Jim Bernau who has had a profound influence on sculpting the wine region in Oregon. Starting in 1981 Jim represented the Oregon Winegrowers in the passage of the Oregon Wine Advisory Board promoting the industry. Later on WVV was grandfathered into federal law when the American Viticultural Area was federally authorized. Aside from promoting the wine industry in Oregon, Jim also was recognized for creating the first system of environmental stewardship in American agriculture, the Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) certification, along with receiving the first "Hero of Salmon" award by Salmon Safe. Additionally in the wine industry he was recognized and honored with the Los Heroes de Salud! award for contribution in providing healthcare to Oregon's vineyard workers. There are over 9,000 wine enthusiast shareholders vested in WVV, this was possible because Jim conducted the first "crowd funding" for a winery to build WVV by obtaining permission from the SEC in 1988, expanding the laws for community based funding for small businesses.

This bottling is made of 100% Pinot Noir, made using partial carbonic maceration and aged in stainless steel. Joe Ibrahim is the winemaker for WVV, his career in the wine industry started when he interned for a small family-owned winery in Northern Vermont, next step was Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estate in Washington State, then was offered a position at Gallo Family where he learned to make sparkling wine and spirits, last stop before WVV was Edna Valley Vineyards where he truly learned about making cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

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