2013 Panther Creek Cellars Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir

Panther Creek’s Pinot Noir Dynasty

In 1994, Panther Creek announced Oregon’s ascendance to the world stage with a 94-point Pinot Noir that stunned Robert Parker. From that point forward, you couldn’t talk about the Willamette Valley, or even Oregon Pinot, without referencing winemaker Ken Wright and Panther Creek. Almost 20 years later, another collaboration between Wright and Panther Creek has produced a rare single-vineyard Pinot hailed by Antonio Galloni’s Vinous as “juicy and incisive,” “smooth, spicy, and long.” Carter Vineyard is Ken Wright’s fanatically tended, 22-acre parcel in Eola-Amity Hills. In 2013, Panther Creek sourced Wright’s magnificent fruit to make just 150 cases of Pinot Noir, available only to the Panther Creek mailing list, and now, to Wine Access clients. 91 points from Vinous. Just $39.99 — 38% off — while 36 cases last. Don’t miss another historic collaboration from two Oregon greats.

As Robert Parker has advised, “Panther Creek wines are Oregon’s most beautifully packaged and also the most concentrated and age worthy wines now being made in Oregon” — today’s 2013 Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir is no exception. The 22-acre Carter Vineyard, owned and farmed by Ken Wright, has produced luscious, mouthwatering Pinot since 1983. Its clay-loam soils have yielded countless highly rated wines, most bottled by Wright under his own label.

While the majority of producers would have no shot at Wright’s closely guarded vines, Panther Creek has an in — Wright actually founded Panther Creek in 1986, and while he no longer owns the winery, he still works closely with the team. Current winemaker Tony Rynders, previously of Domaine Serene, crafted a gorgeous Pinot Noir from Wright’s fruit, one laden with fresh red fruit accented by dark chocolate and spice.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 13.20%
• Enjoy right away
• Drink Up
• % Pinot Noir
• Serving temperature – 60°
• Cork