On Sale: $54.94 (was: $64.94)*
Domaine Drouhin made waves when they came over from Burgundy to the Dundee Hills back in 1988, not far from where David Lett planted the very first Pinot vines in Oregon twenty years prior. Nowadays Drouhin is considered “one of the veterans of the Oregon wine scene” (Wine Advocate) and in 2014 they doubled down in nearby Eola-Amity Hills with Roserock.
Their new estate has proved to be a fabulous counterpoint to the original Dundee Hills vineyard. ‘Zephirine’ is their top release from Roserock, a barrel selection from the core vineyard, and it’s clearly built like one of Drouhin’s top crus from Burgundy. Featuring a rich array of crushed forest fruits, dried flowers, and spice, this 2017 is a reference point not only for Drouhin, but for the Eola Amity Hills AVA itself.
Veronique Drouhin’s decision to expand into Eola-Amity demonstrated just how well acquainted the family has become with the nuances of Willamette Valley terroir. Home to the likes of Evesham Wood and Cristom, Eola Amity’s shallow volcanic soils and cooler climate make for a deeply powerful and long lasting Pinot Noir that would put Drouhin’s 1er crus back in Burgundy a run for their money. Given that Drouhin’s top wines back home trade for hundreds of dollars, ‘Zephirine’ is an extraordinary value from a family that has been making Pinot Noir since 1880. Roserock is LIVE-certified sustainable, and with the majority of the vineyard now reaching maturity, the flagship from this property is emerging as something really quite special.
96 points, James Suckling: "This has a very impressive sense of density and power with such immaculate detail and definition, in terms of tannin and fruit. The aromas are in the spicy and floral zone with blue-fruit and leafy nuances. Deceptively elegant and convincingly excellent pinot noir."
94 points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: "The 2017 Zéphirine Pinot Noir is a selection of the best barrels from the Roserock vineyard. Pale to medium ruby-purple, it's scented of crushed boysenberries, blackberries, cranberries, bergamot and forest floor with touches of dried rose petals and violets. Medium-bodied and über silky, it offers great intensity and flavor layers, grainy and fresh with a long, layered finish."
94 points, Vinous: "Highly perfumed, mineral- and spice-accented red fruit liqueur, incense and potpourri scents show fine definition and assertive lift. Appealingly sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering vibrant raspberry, cherry, red currant and blood orange flavors that deepen and take on spicecake and floral pastille nuances on the back half. Shows outstanding focus and solid thrust on a long, floral-tinged finish shaped by subtle, polished tannins."
*Offer publication date January 9, 2022. Pricing and availability subject to change.