You know how much we value genuine winemaking talent.

While it’s obvious that it takes great grapes to make great wine, it also takes a great winemaker to transform quality raw material, and a sense of place to accompany the fruit, shining through loud and clear, but rarely with an X factor that elevates both.

Jared Etzel brings just that.

He learned the ropes at Beaux Frères, that famous family project which includes his uncle Robert Parker as partner, the only winery that Parker has a stake in and therefore has never reviewed.

Then comes a string of diverse experiences at all-star wineries such as Artadi and Clos Erasmus in Spain, Fisher Vineyards, Kapcsándy Family, Blankiet Estate in Napa Valley, Cristom, Brick House, Willakenzie Estate, and his own partnership Domaine Roy in Willamette Valley.

Whew! That list gives us serious feels…

With a winemaking background like that, Etzel can be choosy. What drew him to the Terry Family Wines was the pristine Estate vineyards that make up today’s Pinot. Of the 57 acres, they only farm 15 with a minimalist, organic approach, sharing the precious Yamhill-Carlton micro-appellation with fabled names such as Elk Cove, Ken Wright, Lemelson, Nicolas-Jay, Shea, Soter, and Willakenzie Estate. Now tell us, how a young winemaking prodigy could pass on working with fruit that precious?

And… (pun intended) …what’s in the glass? Pale ruby-garnet with a wide rim, wearing a velvety cloak of crimson as light plays through it. Pomegranate, red raspberries, orange peel, with hints of red licorice, milk chocolate, and cardamom on the expressive nose meld into a palate impression that is bright and light at first, building a substantial medium body toward the middle with vibrant red berries. The finale builds long and seamless, with just enough sweetness, savoriness, and plenty of depth to age gracefully. It’s an ideal style for lighter meats such as poultry or veal, or go with wild salmon, wild mushrooms, and wild rice!

And… (last one, promise) …the press? Nada on this beauty, except for a 97-points harvest report from Wine Spectator raving about this “early and warm vintage with pockets of cool weather in summer, lending balance and elegance, drink or hold” which matches what we have here, verbatim.

At $65, it easily lives up to the reputation and pedigree, At $26, with a 60% drop, it’s madness.

The floodgates are open - get yours while it lasts!