Reviews
2005 Patton Valley Willamette Valley Lorna-Marie Cuvee — 94 points
Big and bold, but beautifully formed to show some restraint to the structure. Offers scads of black cherry, wild strawberry and sassafras, with a host of savory spices that just don’t quit as the finish expands and soars. Built to age. Best from 2010 through 2017. From Oregon.
Wine Spectator Insider, April 23, 2008.
2005 Patton Valley Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir — 91 points
Firm and focused. Not a big wine, but lean and flavorful with blackberry,
dark plum and black pepper notes, lingering on the mildly chewy finish.
Everything lingers enticingly. Best from 2009 through 2015. 1,400 cases
made.
Wine Spectator Online, October 12, 2007.
2005 Patton Valley Pinot Noir — 91 points
Dark red. Explosively perfumed nose of raspberry, wild strawberry, kirsch, violet and Asian spices. Bright red and dark berry flavors are given energy and focus by crisp acidity and nicely supported by fine, dusty tannins. A very elegant and nicely balanced example of New World pinot, with the depth and structure to age but very hard to resist now.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (May/June 2007)
2004 Patton Valley Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir — 90 points
Crisp in texture, with a beautiful bead of currant, blueberry and meaty, spicy flavors that point right through the long refined finish. This has all the elements, just needs time for them to come together. Best from 2007 through 2012. 1,550 cases made.
H.S., Wine Spectator, Nov. 30, 2006
2004 Patton Valley Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
A few months ago I had the opportunity to taste some wines from this small producer. They left a lasting impression and I am even more impressed with their 2004 offering. The wine had just been bottled and did not even have a label but make no mistake — this wine is ready to go. The smoky nose is full of complex black cherry flavors with just the right amount of tannins and spice. For about $28 this wine is a steal.
Mark Sontz, The Desert Sun,
May 21, 2006
2003 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir Lorna-Marie Cuvee — 91 points
The 2003 Pinot Noir Lorna-Marie Cuvee is the finest wine I've tasted from this estate to date. Its candied dark cherry aromatics lead to a broad, lush, satin-textured core of sumptuous black as well as red cherry fruit. Medium to full-bodied and intense, it is crafted in a seductive style and boasts a long, seamless finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.
Pierre Rovani, Wine Advocate, June, 2006 issue
2003 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir — 91 points
"Ripe, open-textured and distinctive for its complex black cherry, sassafras, sweet oak and dusky spice aromas and flavors, lingering impressively against superfine tannins. Drink now through 2013. 1270 cases made."
(HS) Wine Spectator May 15, 2006 issue
2003 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Lorna-Marie Cuveé — 91 points
"Rich, generous, brimming with ripe plum, currant and sweet spices, a lovely mouthful that keeps spilling out its flavors as the finish lasts impressively against fine tannins and spicy oak notes. Best from 2007 through 2013. 85 cases made."
(HS) Wine Spectator Online, April 12, 2006
2003 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley — 90 points
($30) Deep red. Ripe cherry, blueberry and blackberry scents, with strong suggestions of mocha, gunpowder tea and espresso. Round and sweet, but with no lack of nerve or freshness; the red fruit flavors show precision and thrust. Finishes spicy, bright and long, with a fine dusting of tannins over the ripe flavors. This has ripeness of fruit but also vivacity to burn.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
2003 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir Lorna-Marie Cuvee Willamette Valley — 88 points
($60) Ruby-red. Rich, smoky and inviting, with powerful blackberry and dark chocolate scents and a strong toasty overlay. Thick and viscous, with some distinctly ripe notes of dark cherries, plum, roasted coffee and bitter chocolate. This has more weight and richness than the regular bottling, but I prefer that wine's energy and clarity.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
The Wall Street Journal Picks Patton Valley
Not just a stuffy financially-oriented newspaper, the WSJ also has fun sometimes. In the November 4, 2005 issue, two tasters tried over 50 Oregon Pinot Noirs in a blind tasting. They selected their top 10 wines, and the 2002 Patton Valley made the cut. Rated "Good/Very Good", the tasters wrote "Unusually fragrant, almost perfumed, with cherry-berry fruit atop an earthy core." They went on to tout the harmony of Oregon Pinot Noir with the flavors of Thanksgiving Dinner (we couldn't agree more). Our 2002 is available as part of the Mini-Vertical Holiday 3-Pack.
2002 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir — 91 points
Estate-grown fruit is done here in a fresh, bright, citrusy style. Vivid and delicious, with snap and precision, this aromatic Pinot Noir has orange peel highlights and a pungent, tartly fruity palate. Food-friendly and nuanced, and a break from the jammy style.
Wine Enthusiast — August 2005
2002 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir — 91 points
Medium-deep ruby purple color; deep, spicy, concentrated black cherry aromas with a hint of anise; big, full with lots of black cherry and spicy flavors; moderately tannic with a good dose of toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Big and bold style of Pinot with a lot of complex flavors.
Pinot Report — June 15, 2005
2002 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Lorna-Marie Cuvee — 92 points
Medium-deep ruby and purple color; deep, earthy, spicy, black cherry aromas; big, full and tannic with strong black cherry flavors; a good dose of toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep and powerful, this Pinot has some complex flavors and aroma that you’ll want to give ample air time so that they can emerge.
Pinot Report — June 15, 2005
2002 Patton Valley Pinot Noir Willamette Valley ($30) — 89pts
Bright, deep red. Rich, smoky, toasty nose emphasizes cherry and dark
berries, with pronounced, exotic oak spices. Vanilla bean, nutmeg, sweet
red berry and cocoa powder flavors are lifted and fresh, even with the
generous oak notes looming. A tangy midweight. The oak asserts itself again
on the solid finish.
From Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June issue on Oregon Pinot Noir
2002 Patton Valley Pinot Noir Lorna-Marie Cuvee ($60) — 91 pts
Bright, ruby red. High-pitched aromas of black raspberry and cassis, with a
strong oak spice complementing the fruit. Dramatic, concentrated cherry,
boysenberry and toffee flavors are complemented by exotic notes of cinnamon,
roasted coffee and Thai basil, along with a vague spearmint quality.
Finishes with a firm structure and no excess weight. This is a remarkably
spicy, vibrant, lively wine for its considerable size.
From Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June issue on Oregon Pinot Noir
2000 Patton Valley Scores — 91 points
In the May issue of the Connoisseurs'
Guide to California Wines, 131 pinot noirs were rated, including many of the
big hitters from California and a group of Oregon wines including: Archery
Summit, Domain Drouhin Oregon, Elk Cove and Ken Wright Cellars. The 2000
Patton Valley earned two stars and 91 points, one of only two Oregon wines
earning two stars, and was in the top 20% of all wines judged. The Guide
said "Achieving admirable ripeness and concentration levels, this wine
succeeds for its dramatic berry and dried cherry fruit and for its
complexing notes of cola, vanilla, plums and caramel. Fleshy at the front of
the palate, but then buzzing with Oregonian acidity towards the finish,
this one is a wine of many pleasurable faces and a few years of aging
potential."
"A first release from a new Oregon vintner comes across with a very friendly, fresh, fruity style." Read article
MORRELL
One, Rockefeller Plaza
The Morrell Wine Experience PATTON VALLEY
2000 Willamette Valley — Extraordinary new-comer from the north west
Oregon. Fabulous bouquet of raspberries and leather, wonderful richness
and grace on the palate. Very French in style. A Morrell discovery.
Martin's
Guide To Wine Bargains
www.VintageWineEnterprises.com
Volume 12 Double Issue No. 15 & 16 our 11th Year. September 16, 2002
EXCEPTIONAL OREGON PINOT NOIR—A KEEPER! 2000 Patton Valley Oregon Pinot Noir —
Estate Btld.
"Most impressive" was my feeling after enjoying this exceptional
wine with dinner. When I took my first sip, my initial response was that
it was maybe a bit "jammy/raison" like. Then after a couple
of more tastes I realized that what I thought was a nice raison like flavor,
was really the wines concentrated, full-bodied Pinot Noir character; a
result relatively low yield production and being young.
I know it may sound far-feched to my readers but the wine reminded me a bit of the intense character of the Leroy French burgundies served at a recent tasting/dinner of the Los Angeles School of Wines.
Though this rich, well-balanced raspberry strawberry, tar, vanilla, plum flavored, and with a touch of tannin Pinot Noir is worth trying a bottle of now. It will definitely reward keeping. I would envision maturity between 2004 to 2008 and it should continue to offer good drinking until 2012 or so.
This was their second vintage and the total production was a mere 950 cases. The only wine they produce is this estate bottled Pinot Noir. Additionally they sell some of their grapes to such "super-premium" Oregon wineries as Beaux Freres and Elk Cove.
Rating: 9.2/9.4 Price: $29.95
2001 Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir — 86 points.
Light and lithe,
with pretty prune and spice flavors that finish tangy, echoing nicely on
the finish. Drink now through 2005.
2000Patton Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir — 89 points.
Wine Spectator
The Oregon Wine Report selected the 1999 Patton Valley Pinot Noir as a Top Five Value, citing, "an intriguing, tasty wine that delivers a lot of complexity at a very reasonable price." The Magazine, one of the most respected independent wine tasting organizations in the Pacific Northwest, tasted 99 different Oregon pinot noirs from the 1999 vintage, including all of the top producers in the state. Please refer to www.oregonwinereport.com for more information on this tasting. We have a small amount of the 1999 available for sale.