Willamette Valley’s on a Roll with 8 Pinot Noirs Up to 93 Points

The Willamette Valley has seen a run of great vintages, validating the region’s reputation for top-quality wines. Since the 2020 fires, the following summers have been warm and dry with no wildfire smoke concerns. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley stand alongside other great regions featuring these varieties, particularly Burgundy and Sonoma. With that, their prices can match those of top wines from around the world. This week’s roundup features Willamette Pinots from several recent vintages, all priced at $75 or less and rated 91 points or higher.

Under its new owner, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi, Domaine Roy & Fils made wines that buzz in the great 2024 vintage. Spring rains primed the vines for a healthy crop, and warm midsummer conditions propelled ideal fruit development. The refined Incline bottling is made from the Domaine’s Quartz Acorn Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton and shows raspberry and guava flavors laced with spice notes.

Nearby Domaine Serene uses grapes from several regions in the heart of the Willamette Valley, including Eola-Amity Hills, Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton, for its Yamhill Cuvée. At $65, it is the least expensive Pinot in the portfolio and shows an earthier style, with stony mineral and dusky spice accenting refined cherry and raspberry flavors. The 2022 vintage was quite eventful, with spring frosts, a July heat dome and September rains. October, however, was mild, and the dry finish to the season produced richly flavored wines.

Many excellent value wines can also be found in the Willamette Valley. Siduri delivers with its dynamic $40 regional bottling, with zesty cherry and cranberry flavors highlighted by orange peel and fresh violets. 2023 was another warm (but excellent) growing season in Willamette with no significant weather events that produced fresh, balanced wines with supple textures.