Averaen, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2023
Averaen, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, 2023
- 75cl
- 14.7%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2032
Averaen crafts elegant Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley, where cool maritime air meets volcanic soils to produce wines of grace and precision. This 2023 vintage shows the hallmark transparency that makes Oregon Pinot so compelling - bright red fruit balanced by earthy minerality and that telltale Willamette Valley freshness.
We find this wine perfectly poised between immediacy and development. The fruit is singing now, but there's enough structure to reward a few years in the cellar. Classic Oregon Pinot Noir that captures both the purity of the grape and the character of its place.
This 2023 vintage is drinking beautifully now in its primary fruit phase, showing vibrant cherry and cranberry character. Over the next 2-3 years, we expect the earthy, forest floor elements to integrate more fully with the fruit, creating greater harmony and complexity. The wine should reach its peak around 2029-2030, when secondary aromatics of leather and spice will add depth while maintaining its essential freshness. After 2032, the primary fruit may begin to fade, though the wine's good acidity suggests it will age gracefully.
What the critics say:
"A lovely and slightly wild example of a cool-climate pinot noir, with bright acidity, juiciness and fine tannins. Red cherries, baking spices, pine forest, peonies and slate on the nose. The palate shows wild thyme, iron and sour cherries. Juicy, tart and dry, with a light to medium body. Drink now."
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley blossoms in the glass with a dusting of sweet spice, sandalwood and dried cherries. Creamy and textured on the palate, it gains lift and energy with air, leaving behind a resonance of raspberry candy and a gentle tug of fine tannins."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBright ruby red with excellent clarity and a slight purple rim indicating youth.
NoseLifted aromas of red cherry and cranberry dominate, backed by subtle forest floor and dried herb aromatics. There's a lovely floral quality - violet and rose petal - that speaks to the grape's elegance. Light spice notes of cinnamon and white pepper add complexity.
PalateMedium-bodied with bright acidity that carries the red fruit beautifully across the palate. The texture is silky rather than weighty, with fine-grained tannins providing structure without overwhelming. Earthy minerality emerges mid-palate, balanced by a thread of orange peel acidity. The wine shows remarkable purity and transparency.
FinishClean and mineral-driven with lingering red fruit and a hint of graphite.
Overall impressionA textbook Oregon Pinot Noir that balances fruit purity with earthy complexity and regional character.
Food Pairings
In Oregon, this style of Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with the region's abundant Pacific Northwest salmon - whether cedar-planked, grilled, or smoked. Local chanterelle mushrooms, often foraged in the same forests that surround the vineyards, create magical combinations when simply sautéed or incorporated into risottos. The wine also complements Oregon's artisanal cheeses, particularly aged cheddars from local creameries, and works wonderfully with Dungeness crab from the nearby coast.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 15-16°C to preserve the wine's elegance and aromatics. No need to decant - this wine benefits from being poured directly into Burgundy bowls to concentrate the delicate aromatics. If you prefer to open up the wine, gentle swirling in the glass for a few minutes will suffice. The wine's transparency means it responds well to slight chilling if served on a warm day.
The Willamette Valley's unique combination of volcanic Jory soils and sedimentary Willakenzie deposits creates ideal conditions for Pinot Noir. Cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers allow for extended hang time, while the valley's elevation and maritime influence from the Pacific preserve the grape's natural acidity. These ancient soils, formed by massive floods and volcanic activity, impart both structure and mineral complexity to the wines.
Willamette Valley AVA is Oregon's most prestigious wine region and the heart of American Pinot Noir production. Established in 1984, it encompasses several sub-AVAs within its boundaries, each offering distinct microclimates and soil types. The region's cool climate and long growing season mirror those of Burgundy, producing Pinot Noirs with elegant restraint rather than the power found in warmer California regions. Strict regulations ensure quality, with most producers focusing on sustainable farming practices.
The 2023 vintage in Willamette Valley began with a cool, wet spring that pushed budbreak later than usual, but summer arrived with perfect timing. July and August delivered warm, dry conditions without the extreme heat that has troubled recent years, allowing for steady, even ripening across the valley's varied slopes. September brought the kind of harvest weather Oregon dreams about: sunny days, cool nights, and just enough morning fog to keep acidity bright whilst sugars climbed steadily.
What emerged from this textbook growing season are Pinot Noirs with remarkable freshness and energy—wines that manage to be both generous and precise, showing the red fruit purity of cooler sites alongside darker, earthier tones from warmer exposures. The Chardonnays shine with mineral clarity and well-integrated oak, whilst Pinot Gris has rarely looked better. These wines are drinking beautifully now for their exuberant fruit, but the finest examples have the structure and balance to evolve gracefully until 2035.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Bright and elegant with red cherry and cranberry fruit, earthy minerality, and silky tannins typical of quality Oregon Pinot Noir.
When should I drink this wine?
Delicious now through 2032, with peak drinking likely around 2029-2030 when the fruit and earth elements reach perfect harmony.
What food pairs well with this Pinot Noir?
Pacific Northwest salmon, wild mushrooms, roasted duck, or aged cheeses. The wine's acidity and elegance make it versatile with lighter meats and earthy dishes.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve slightly chilled at 15-16°C in Burgundy glasses. No need to decant - pour directly and let it open in the glass.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, but for medium-term aging. It will develop beautifully over the next 6 years, gaining complexity while retaining its essential Oregon character.
How does this compare to other Oregon Pinot Noirs?
This shows classic Willamette Valley character - transparent, mineral-driven, and elegant rather than powerful. It represents the region's house style beautifully.
OUR GROWERS
Averaen
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