Willamette Valley Wines

The Willamette Valley Wine Region is one of the most influential wine producing regions in all of Oregon as well as the entire Pacific Northwest. The region spans from the Columbia River in the north all the way down to Eugene in the South. It is by far Oregon’s largest AVA and is dominated by plantings of Pinot Noir and smaller amounts of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling. The Willamette Valley is subdivided into six smaller appellations: Chehalem Mountains AVA, Dundee Hills AVA, McMinnville AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, Yamhill-Carlton District AVA and Eola-Amity Hills AVA. According to our Willamette Valley Wine Guide the mild, cool and somewhat moist climate provides ideal conditions for Pinot Noir, creating wines that are often considered the bridge between California and Burgundy style. The Pinot Noirs from this area tend to have black cherry and Dr. Pepper aromas and flavors with nuances of earth and herbs. For a great pairing, try these wines with herb-crusted roasted chicken, pork loin and mild game birds. Established in 1984, this bourgeoning region now has more than 200 wineries with many of them producing the top selections in our Willamette Valley Wine Ratings. Check out our Williamette Valley Wine Reviews for more information on these standout wines.

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Bethel Heights 2002 Flat Block Reserve Pinot Noir

Price $38

Perhaps just young and closed up, but this reserve did not seem to show the extra dimensions that a reserve generally should. A mix of berry/cherry fruits, snappy acids, and a hint of new oak. Good, standard fare. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

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WillaKenzie Estate 2002 Kiana Pinot Noir

Price $45

Tangy citrus and light berry fruit flavors make for a straightforward, seemingly simple wine. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

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Panther Creek 2002 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir

Price $40

Tight, hard young fruit is overshadowed with big, butterscotch barrel flavors. Pleasant and unexpressive. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

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Van Duzer 2002 Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir

Price $33

Violets, lavender and sweet cherries rise from the glass, though the wine is less interesting in the mouth. Tart, light and somewhat routine. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

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Kramer 2002 Rebecca's Reserve Pinot Noir

Price $35

Quite leafy, with barnyard scents. On the palate there’s citrus peel and earthy, less than fully ripe fruit. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

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Domaine Serene 2002 Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir

Price $33

Though one-dimensional, this is a powerful wine with black cherry fruit and generous oak, expressed as roasted coffee scents and espresso flavors. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

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Stoller 2002 Pinot Noir

Price $42

This is an over-the-top, Zinfandel-style Pinot, with a pungent, roasted, alcoholic nose. Aggressive and hot, it does not achieve any sort of balance, and simply feels overwrought. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

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Ponzi 2002 Pinot Noir

Price $30

Straightforward and fruity, with ripe, slightly sugary flavors of cherry cola. It has some of the jammy preserved raspberry fruit of California, but without the midpalate weight. — W.E. (11/1/2004)

Most Reviewed Sub Regions

Chehalem Mountains Dundee Hills Eola-Amity Hills McMinnville Ribbon Ridge Yamhill County Yamhill-Carlton District

Most Reviewed Varietals

Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Other White Pinot Blanc Pinot Grigio/Gris Pinot Noir Riesling Rosé Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling Viognier White Blend

Most Reviewed Wineries

Adelsheim Argyle Château Bianca Chehalem David Hill Elk Cove Erath Lemelson Ponzi Rex Hill Torii Mor Willamette Valley Vineyards

2005 Gershon Bachus Aquilo North Wind Special Edition Robbins Vineyards

At nearly eight years of age, this Napa-based Cabernet has just been…

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