Ribbon Ridge Winery Pinot Noir RR Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountains 2014

Oregon’s top pinot pros – from Beaux Frères, to Ken Wright, Soter, Adelsheim, Bergström, and more – all fight like mad to get the best parcels of the famed Ridgecrest Vineyard. Too bad that Harry Peterson – the wizard behind Ribbon Ridge – keeps it for himself! 93+ Points, and a perfectly aged 9 years young…this is as good as Oregon pinot noir gets in our opinion, and we scored some at pver 70% off!

The Ribbon Ridge estate – and this iconic Ridgecrest Vineyard – were planted in 1980 as Willamette Valley’s most westerly vineyard by vintner Harry Peterson. They called him a madman for planting pinot so far north, so far west, on top of a high-elevation mountain ridge…but he’s the one laughing now. This parcel, high up in the Chehalem Mountains, has become a favorite spot for countless top Oregon producers, and Harry’s daughter, Wynne, has assured that Ribbon Ridge makes their own estate wine that sets the bar.

Their RR Reserve consists of the best grapes, top lots, and most incredible parcels… creating a perfumed and elegant pinot noir that maintains a seemingly endless youthfulness to it, even at 9 years of age. Floral notes of rose petals join with bright red fruits – from cranberries to cherries, red currants, and beyond. Accents of cocoa powder, then dried herbs and black tea, with a dusting of pink peppercorns, clove, and nutmeg – this is spicy, nuanced, and impeccably layered stuff!  If great, balanced, classy, and age-worthy pinot is your thing… you simply can’t miss this! Under $30? What a steal!