Oregon PINOT NOIR... Awesome or OVERRATED???

The flagship red wine grape of Oregon is Pinot Noir and its stronghold is the Willamette Valley. These wines can get a little pricey, so are they really good or overrated??? Learn more in this blind tasting.
🍷 Riedel Pinot Noir Performance Wine Glass
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🥂 Wines featured in this episode:
Hyland Estates Old Vine Pinot Noir 2021
Suzor Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2021
Richochet Pinot Noir 2021
Lingua Franca The Plow Pinot Noir 2021
Big Table Farm Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2021
Chehalem Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir 2022
Domaine Roy & Fils Incline Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir 2021
Lonesome Rock The Estate Pinot Noir 2021
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✍ Related Article:
#willamettevalley #pinotnoir #oregon
00:00 Pinot Noir in Oregon
01:56 Blind Tasting Pinot Noir
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[@jacob9540]

Do you still consider these true blind tastings when you reveal the wine after each tasting rather than reveal all at once? You can basically guess towards the end what the wine will be, or at least you know for sure what it won’t be after the first wine reveal.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Very good point! I’ve brought this up several times in videos and comments as I like to taste all and reveal in the end but many people find that confusing and like this format (it is also shows in the google analaytics many like it) With big blinds, by the time I get to the last two wines I have an idea what they might be (sometimes I forget though as there are sooo many things I have to keep track of while filming ie mics, two cameras, lighting, etc) It’s all about doing the best with what you got as a one man band

[@jacob9540]

@@drmatthewhorkey Regardless, always a joy to watch these tastings! I have to try some Willamette Pinot for sure

[@donaldalbro810]

Maybe you need an assistant….. hint hint

[@asiridesigns5344]

There's a winery here in Oregon called ROCO that makes a sparkling red pinot noir called "RMS", it's absolutely fantastic and unique.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ohhhhhh

[@jeremyt9663]

Thank you for the video, Dr. Horkey! Headed up there for the weekend and excited to try some of the wines you have just tasted.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Have fun!

[@MichaelDenzel-qj8dz]

Great stuff Matt. Thanks for the new shopping list:)

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahah good luck Mike!

[@johnlyngdal8601]

I've lived in Oregon since 1957 and I've been enjoying the Oregon wine since the late 70's. Their growth and experience as wine makers has truly matured over the decades, resulting in some truly epic wines. Of small producers Oregon producers, I would give my highest recommendations to Amalie Robert wines. Ernie and Dena craft spectacular wines that are only released when they deem them ready. Perhaps the best way to experience Oregon Pinot Noir wines with contrasting wines from around the world occurs at the end of July during the IPNC wine tasting. Based on the collection of glasses from the event, I've been attending it for over 25 years. The have an excellent tasting board that selects wines to experience with the French Burgundy region well represented so you can benchmark the other wines.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I may be at IPNC this year

[@AlejandroPDX]

About a year ago I tasted my first Lingua Franca wine. 2019 Pinot Noir AVNI. Absolutely LOVED it. You showed some great WV wines!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

That’s their entry level bottle, good stuff indeed

[@GilreathDental]

Great video Matt.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🙏

[@gustavomgomes]

Great content as always ! Love the PN for Oregon . Cheers !

[@drmatthewhorkey]

They can be delicious!

[@charliebird802]

It’s pronounced wil-LAM-et. Thanks for doing Oregon!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏

[@hobbesthegoblin]

@@drmatthewhorkey How can you say you're initially trolling people by pronouncing it incorrectly and then STILL pronounce it incorrectly?? FFS.

[@tarekhamid3882]

Many thanks for the time and effort to put together this most informative/entertaining video. Have to say: Found this NEW FORMAT ... SIGNIFICANTLY more effective. By that I mean, revealing the bottles immediately after tasting the wine. Beautiful job.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

There are both formats on the channel for a while now

[@dpilaitis7647]

Hi Matthew, thank you for your reviews. I've been enjoying your video for a few months now. I love Oregon Pinot, some of my favs are Colene Clemens, Chad, and Trousse-Chemise. Give them a try if you ever have the chance. Regards, David

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks for watching and the recs!

[@ghettobougieahjoomab8663]

In the car, driving back from WV right now. Just visited two new ones for me. Brickhouse and Nicolas Jay. Both were great! Yes, I love me some pinot from Oregon. My favorite has to be Beaux Frères, but the list goes on and on! You have some great ones on your tasting. I am gonna have to seek out the ones I haven't had. Suzor and Lonsome Rock. Thank you for a great video.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ohhh lucky you

[@blaircalvin5025]

Wish we could get more Oregon wines here in Sydney. Great tasting. Love the notes on the Lingua Franca.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It’s a lovely wine… but you have plenty of great Pinots down there

[@blaircalvin5025]

@@drmatthewhorkey We do. Always nice to try something new different though. Had a 2018 Spatburgunder last night. Quite nice.

[@StinkyPanda-yi1xz]

I just got back to Boston from a WV wine trip. Tasted at Beaux Freres, Kelley Fox, Arterberry Maresh, Alexana, Big Table Farm, and a few others. A true standout is what J.Christopher is putting out. Amazing Pinot! We actually took that exact BTF 21 Yamhill to dinner at Canard! I’d agree it was a 91-92 with room to grow if that oak integrates!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Sounds like a great trip!

[@gooseman480]

Glad you've come to your senses about Oregon Pinot. Come visit !

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I do love the valley. Hope to make it out soon

[@mattestilo8841]

Love this. Did you mean to say cabernet sauvignon when talking about the last wine?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Yes, there was a spike of intensity in the wine like great Cabernet

[@user-mb1hg4qu9f]

😊 I can tell that you enjoyed yourself here! Now, the trick here is finding these in my neighborhood!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Good luck! Some are distributed and plenty are bought direct at the winery

[@goth_nick]

I visited the Willamette Valley last October and went to 20 wineries in 6 days. The ones I bought were: Coeur de Terre Heritage Reserve, and the Johan Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir. The latter is an organic & biodynamic winery. Probably my favorite wine from the trip was the Willamette Valley Vineyards Elton Pinot Noir. I also tried wines from Hyland Estates but I got their reserve flight. I was able to try both their 2021 and 2018 Founders Selection Pinot Noirs. Both were outstanding. I recently got to try another Oregon Pinot from the south of Oregon: Antiquum Farm . Their Juel Pinot Noir was exceptional.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

That’s quite the trip!

[@whitelightning2291]

Love the video, thanks for this! Nicolas-Jay and Walter Scott are my favorite producers. Just world class single vineyard chard and pinot. Violin is another tiny but up and coming producer making killer Sojeau vineyard wines. God I wanna live there too haha

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahaha it is a beautiful state!!

[@froth7133]

NJ is solid .. agree. WillaKenzie is a larger winery … owned by Jackson family but they have done nothing but make smart investments.

[@mikaelplaysguitar]

"Doing a Pinot noir tasting is hard work!" We thank you for your sacrifice.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

hahahahahah much obliged...

[@marciobukowski9836]

In Portland right now! Yesterday I went to Stollar and Domaine Drouhin. Liked them both. Specially Drouhin. D. Serene wines are awesome too

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Two fantastic estates

[@froth7133]

Agree with all those … Stollar on bottom of those three. You want something very unique go to White Rose with whole cluster. Give it some age and o boy…

[@jenniferg3251]

You didn't try any of the Willamette Valley Vineyards? Jim Bernau. They have multiple vineyards around Oregon. Would love to hear your thoughts on their wines. 😊

[@drmatthewhorkey]

WVV does good stuff

[@Logistical_Nightmare]

It's Willamette dammit ( its a rhyme)

[@drmatthewhorkey]

👏🏼👍🏼

[@drmariev]

Willamette dammit! Love your videos! I went to Willamette U in the 80s, when the surrounding area was just farmlands. It still blows me away that the area around Salem is now Oregon wine country.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I bet it is amazing to see how quickly things change!

[@GorskiNunavut]

Fantastic skiing there.Luved micro brews from OregonWill substitue PN with Prokupac and Blatina wth zerointervencion 😉

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahahhaha

[@choigunz]

Give Kelley Fox a try if you haven’t, my favorite.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Fantastic wines

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

I just tasted her Hyland vineyard pinot noir 2017. Awesome wine

[@choigunz]

@@nikolajkrarup-os9gn if you can find her Maresh Vinyard Royal Ann Block (sadly discontinued), that was my favorite. But really all of them have something to offer, glad you enjoy her wines! Really the only winery I considered being a member for

[@Neurability]

Great blind tasting

[@drmatthewhorkey]

thank you!

[@getsconesTRUTH]

Fun video. Big fan of WV pinots. Oregon chardonnay is also very exciting. My fav producer that i tried recently.... Bergstrom! Absolutely fabulous wines, highly recommend if you can get your hands on them.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I LOVE Oregon Chard as you’ll see a video soon and also a fan of Bergstrom

[@danf321]

Years ago, in your previous wine review channel, you reviewed many Pinots from Au Bon Climat. How do those compare?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Very different as ABC’s tend to be a tad fruitier

[@joe-zp7ge]

watched this video twice and i think number one and number four seem the most enticing. 4 being that it stood out for its iconoclastic taste as a pinot. In the future i would love to see you do a video pitting california pinot, oregon pinot , and burgundy's from france in a blind taste. I think with your great palate this would be a blockbuster video.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

There is one on the channel about Cali vs Oregon and an all Cali one too

[@vouvray59]

I found a bottle of the 2020 Ricochet in a local store, and today, in another store I found their Tempranillo.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ohhhh nice!!

[@BestYear2016]

Do a domain Leroy Musigny grand cru vs DRC romanee conti brand cru, what makes Leroy higher starting prices since musigny is the bigger Grace cru. Couldn’t find on web please 🙏 .

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Send me the samples and I’ll do it

[@BestYear2016]

@@drmatthewhorkey 🤣🤣 that’s the issue, would that be possible for you to find a sponcer like a online wine dealer

[@crrizello5157]

Thanks for the video. I grew up in Salem, so am very familiar with Willamette Valley. I remember visiting wineries when many were still operating out of garages. Things have changed! Was just in McMinnville at the end of the year and got a chance to see how the Pinots were fairing, especially compared to Russian River and elsewhere in California, where I am now. I really enjoyed them, although prices are definitely going upward. (By the way, it is pronounced Sheh-'hay'-lum (Chehalem). Definitely lots of Native American names to pronounce in that area!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahhh those sound like the days!!

[@RCTricking]

I like the zip and acid of a lot of these Oregon Pinots! local store got Rocco which is like $22 and delicious, 92 points on either WS or WE I believe :)

[@drmatthewhorkey]

What a price!

[@Ruirspirul]

I have only tasted one Oregon Pinot (roserock zephrine)and it was fantastic!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Niceee

[@froth7133]

You picked a fantastic one.

[@nichotime]

You done it again, Doc. Cheap Pinots are like gambling in the best way. You never know, because many producers don't know what makes pinot so so great. It is a mind thing. The way it changes second to second over years and years, every taste, (more difference the better). Many plain cheapies, yes, but still so much better than the past. Young is nice these days. More great buys $10-20, from who knows where? Best show yet! Thank you. It is almost possible to taste by your expressions and descriptions. More cheap pinot please!🍇

[@drmatthewhorkey]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@froth7133]

As a very loyal local Willamette wine fan I would say Lingua is a great representation of our quality Pinot. It’s interesting how many professional tasters pursue the red vs. dark fruit. We have a lot of dark fruit that I enjoy. Lingua is Top 20 for sure in the valley.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

It’s the most impressive Pinot I’ve come across (both blind and non-blind)

[@acidDrop2000]

I think enough people have commented on pronunciation so I'll throw in one of my favorites: Ponzi Rsv Laurelwood District, intense yet elegant

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Fantastic producer! They were going to send wines but then ghosted me hahaha

[@matador677]

Eyrie is my jam. David Lett brought Pinot to Oregon. Papa Pinot!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Eyrie is legit!

[@senator558]

Not Willa-met. It’s will-AM-et. You wouldn’t pronounce Bordeaux as Bor-Dox to annoy your friends! Also, it’s E-ola not A-ola and sha-HAY-lem not sha-ha-LEM. BTW, you should try the Lingua Franca Chardonnay too. Very Bugundy like at a fraction of the price.

[@charliebird802]

I also gave him the phonetic spelling before I saw your post 😊

[@stephanietaira8769]

Don’t totally get why constantly and intentionally mispronouncing to annoy viewers is funny. That said, Good video… nice descriptions and a lot less yelling at the camera.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I’ve tried all their Chards, good stuff!

[@donaldalbro810]

I do like resonance I also like colene clemens but the price seems to have jumped recently

[@drmatthewhorkey]

The Wine Spectator Top 10 didn't help the prices of Resonance...

[@mikemuoio2340]

Illahe is incredible. Surprised it wasn't in the line up.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@pjwillsr]

Great tasting session...too bad these are not readily available.

[@pjwillsr]

I take that back, I found Hyland Estates at Binny's.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Thanks and happy hunting

[@robdielemans9189]

So far for me the 2nd best grape in the world to make wine with is Pinot Noir so I drink them often but as of yet never had an Oregon one. I usually default to German ones, I believe this is the place with the best value for money for these kind of wines.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

German Spatys are great indeed. I love them.

[@hatchegg80]

what's your phd in?

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I’m a Chiropractor by education. Had private practice for a number of years

[@motorcyclebearny]

Soter Vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA

[@drmatthewhorkey]

I love their wines, the Chardonnays more than the Pinots tho

[@user-dy3pb2jo1p]

형님 친구들과 미국 피노누아vs 프랑스제외 피노누아 대결 콘텐츠 기대됩니다

[@drmatthewhorkey]

thanks!

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

In my opinion Oregon Pinot Noirs are the only region in the world who comes close to Burgundy in style. California Pinot Noirs tends to be too sweet. Burgundys never is. I like the cheaper ones as everyday drinkers though. I just had a Kelley fox Hyland vineyards Corey clone Pinot noir 2017 few days ago. It was awesome. Really great. I bought it at 40$ here in Denmark. In my opinion it's on level with a grand cru Burgundy which would have cost considerably more. I only buy premier cru from cote de Beaune now. The prices for cote de nuits especially grand crus are ridiculous nowadays. I will see if I can get some of the wines you tasted here in Denmark if possible.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Happy hunting! I was just withba few Danish wine journalist friends last week!

[@nikolajkrarup-os9gn]

@@drmatthewhorkey nice. I like that.

[@numanuma20]

He’s pronouncing Willamette wrong as a joke. I love Willamette Valley Pinot Noir bring that old world technique to a new world region. There are Burgundian winemakers owning wineries in Willamette Valley which proves that Willamette Valley is great.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

U got that right

[@Soulvinum]

I think I would prefer pinot noir from Russian Valley but...I don't know...those are excellent also..I would take them all ...😅😅😅

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahaha they were all good

[@froth7133]

Try these wines … will be VERY different then CA Pinot. Better terroir in OR in my mind.

[@scottswanson5964]

Shu hay lem

[@drmatthewhorkey]

😬👍🏼

[@ChrisLemelle-xw3kl]

It rhymes with dammit 👍🏾

[@drmatthewhorkey]

😬

[@leewebb8931]

Moises

[@drmatthewhorkey]

?

[@leewebb8931]

@@drmatthewhorkey Moises Pinot Noir is made by Dr. James Moises. He also owns Krewe Du Bizou wines in New Orleans. I buy all of my wine from him. His Pinot is great.

[@samatoid]

You are consistently 2 pts higher than scores on cellar tracker. I apologize, but it does seem like you are shilling for the free wine.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Funny thing is usually I get comments that I score too low

[@froth7133]

I’m a fan of cellar tracker, but the “amateur” tasters (of which I’m one) always score lower for fear of pimping the wines. The averages are always lower than market in my mind. I don’t mind them being conservative, but I always add a couple points to the wine. My two cents.

[@jonmurphy776]

Tried Oregon Pinot Noir , meh!

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Ahh you didn’t like?

[@KarpetRydOFunk]

Overrated!! Haha. ;}

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Hahahahha

[@LorenBerry]

Oh, for gods sakes…it’s Willamette Damn it! Also get the winery names right. You’re loosing credibility with your lack of knowledge about the region.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

👍🏼👍🏼