Do American Vineyards Deserve Grand Cru Status?
Do American Vineyards Deserve Grand Cru Status?
Do American Vineyards Deserve Grand Cru Status?
On the West Sonoma Coast frontier, Wayfarer's fruit-driven Pinot Noirs stand out
These are wines of amazing grace without sacrificing structure and layers.
The 2024 Pinot Noir Ways of Wayfarer Prince Hill Vineyard is a bright ruby hue and comes from the Dundee Hills in the Willamette Valley. Made from thicker-skinned fruit and entirely destemmed, it reveals iron-rich, sanguine notes of blood orange, bright red cherries, and fresh flowers. Medium-bodied, with ultra-fine, silky tannins, it’s precise and lush, with a seductive, even texture. The fruit here was picked October 1 in a vintage that had an unusually long harvest window. It saw a slightly shorter élevage compared to the other Pinots, with 11 months in 20% new French oak.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Prince Hill Vineyard is elegant, silky and polished. Crushed flowers, bright red/purplish fruit, dried flowers, mint, spice and a dash of French oak are beautifully delineated throughout. There's gorgeous depth here, not to mention tons of sheer character. This Pinot from Oregon's Dundee Hills is seriously impressive.