2021 Chad Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

When we walked through the door, Chad was eyeing the fry cook with suspicion.

He was seated at the bar of a Portland institution known for its dive-y atmosphere and some of the best fried chicken on earth—and long waits to go along with it. And he was clearly into his second Rainier tallboy.

We didn’t get a hello. Chad’s gruff greeting was, “It’ll be another 45 minutes. I ordered for you.” 

He got straight to the point. “No one like me should have gotten fruit like this. Not from this vintage. And sure as hell not for this price.” He kept glancing around nervously, like the NSA might have bugged the dingy dining room. “IF they sell fruit like this—and that’s NOT a guarantee—they’d normally sell this to hotshots who put the vineyard on the label.”

“It’s from a big name—one of the most important wineries in the Willamette Valley,” he whispered excitedly, “and from a site that…well…it’s historic, fantastic, just…you know, great.” He was gaining steam. “And what’s better, is that 2021 was an all-time vintage. Coming off of ‘20, everybody wanted more grapes too. But I know what kind of scotch the winemaker likes—even if it is a devil to find these days.”

2021 delivered it all: rich, ripe fruit, seductive structure, and beautiful freshness—and that all comes through in this wine. Bursting with black cherries and raspberry coulis on the nose, it’s accented by fresh earth, a hint of fennel, and a touch of cola. On the palate, it’s got that trademark Willamette texture, with ripe fruit married to a woodsy freshness. 

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

• ABV 13.50%
• 30 mins
• Now – 2028
• % Pinot Noir
• Serving temperature – 55°
• Cork