Chapter 24 Pinot Noir The Flood Willamette Valley 2014

If you love a mature red – have you tasted this yet? 100-point French winemaker Louis-Michel Liger-Belair made this Pinot Noir during his Oregon adventures. 93 POINTS, soft and sultry from years of cellaring, under $25 – and shipping included on three or more!

Burgundy finesse meets ancient Oregon floodplains! Add a decade of bottle age, and this soul-stirring Pinot is brimming with the delicious tertiary notes only time can create. The 2014 ‘The Flood’ Pinot Noir was a gorgeous wine to begin with – in his 93-point review, critic Antonio Galloni said: “This plush, very sexy wine strongly reminded me of a top-drawer wine from Vosne-Romanée.” 

Which makes sense. Winemaker Louis-Michel Liger-Belair is the seventh generation to lead Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair in Vosne-Romanée. He has numerous 100-point scores to his name, and the estate produces some of Burgundy's most sought-after reds. So $24.95 (instead of $60 retail) is a great price for a Liger-Belair bottle. Bonus: you didn’t have to wait through all that cellaring.

The tawny ruby hue promises lived-in glamour, and the wine delivers. Warm, brooding layers are framed by surprisingly sassy tannins. Dried rose petals, salted caramel, and gravel dust tantalize, followed by red plums, dark brandied cherries, and sensual sandalwood. Wet clay unfolds into leather; there’s some nice piquancy from black tea, and finally, dried flowers and mint tumble all over the expansive finish. It’s wonderful, and goes down so easily.

Chapter 24 was Liger-Belair’s Oregon collaboration with the late Hollywood producer-turned-vintner Mark Tarlov, and this bottle is from their Fire+Flood series. They sourced fruit from several organic and biodynamically farmed sites in lower elevations of the Willamette Valley. ‘The Flood’ refers to the sedimentary soils deposited by the Missoula Floods of the last ice age, which can tilt Pinot toward a more supple profile. A flood of charisma, 58% off when you order at least two – but go for at least three for free shipping!