Today’s 2015 Horseleap Vineyards Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir landed in our laps recently, and we loved the wine so much that we just had to share it with our Operatives! This small, boutique winery, located in Tigard, Oregon, is oft described as having the most character of any Oregon winery. Their wines, too, have plenty of character - and great fruit. Winemaker Jim Seufert, a fourth generation Oregonian, focuses on wine quality, resulting in what he calls “wine with soul.”

Beautiful clarity with translucent scarlet coloring from edge to edge. The nose is full of fresh red fruit with prominent notes of strawberry and raspberry. Interesting notes of candied violet smoothly enmesh with the red fruit, along with tropical fruit like mango. The palate reveals a “varietally-correct” Pinot Noir character with the red fruit containing more cherry than strawberry. Here there is a rich spice profile as well with hints of vanilla, molasses, and nutmeg. The wine has a medium body with a bright acid mouthfeel. The transition to the finish is seamless and smooth which lingers subtly. This wine is an extremely approachable wine, perfect for simple weeknight staples like roasted chicken and vegetables.

The Willamette Valley region, Oregon’s largest AVA, boasts over 300 wineries. The valley is synonymous with Pinot Noir, because of its ideal growing conditions. It has a reputation for more delicate Pinot Noirs, that are lighter in color and showcase bright red berry fruit. Wet winters followed by dry summers result in a large diurnal temperature range, encouraging grapes to develop complex aromas while retaining their acidity.