2021 Composition Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

Located on the edge of the Ribbon Ridge on the south slope of the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Willakenzie sedimentary soils are present in this section of the AVA. The vineyard sits on a gorgeous ecosystem, including the livestock of birds, sheep, and a trusty collie. Dry-farmed with biodynamic preps and no synthetic chemicals, the focus is to regenerate the soil, add native plants and allow beneficial species to thrive.

The attention to detail in the vineyard is vital for fruit selection and significantly impacts the wine quality. some outstanding Pinot Noir clones were selected for this wine, and the grapes this year were harvested on September 9th. The tonnage was split into two tanks; one had 50% of the whole cluster, and one was 100% destemmed. 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Bertrand de Villaine went to college in Oregon and always kept that part of the world in mind, with a dream to one day make wine from these vineyards. He and his wife were thinking about that project when they met Katrina Rank in 2016 at a conference in Bourgogne. The conversation developed quickly on the subject and a year later, the first vintage of Composition was produced from the Willamette Valley and released in a few markets in the United States in 2018.

Bertrand and Katrina both knew they wanted vineyards that expressed the unique terroir of Willamette Valley and were sustainably farmed. Their focus is on single-vineyard wines. Pursuing excellence from grape to glass, they’re constantly evolving their vision, with conscientious approaches to farming and the pure expression of terroir — the backbone of Composition. Their growers share their sensibility and approach.

Pinot Noir is a synonym for Burgundy for many, but it also beautifully expresses Oregon’s specific climate and terroir. And Chardonnay speaks the truth! Bertrand likes to say, “If your Chardonnay is excellent, everything else follows.”