Belle Pente
Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir
Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Nose has under-ripe cherry, (minor) green pepper, lightly moist ashen soil, crushed cherries, under-ripe tangerine peel, fresh strawberry and faint cedar notes.
Palate has bright cherry, sweet cherry, dried raspberry, dry earth with crushed granite and dried strawberry on the long finish. Fine tannins while (light) bitter herbs linger, not distracting.
Decanted 2+ hours; more time needed here, in decanter and cellar. Future bottles should be 2024+
Date night at home tonight with takeout from our favorite, intimate French bistro; Braised Duck Leg with Red Wine & Cranberry Jus, House-made Spaetzle & Mushroom Ragout.
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Winery (back label) notes:
Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir is from specially selected blocks of our densely planted estate vineyard (est. 1994) in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The grapes are fermented using indigenous yeasts, and are aged for 18 months in barrel. The wine is gravity bottled without fining or filtration to preserve the deep, concentrated black fruit aromas and flavors of this terrific young vineyard. (675 Cases)
Nose has under-ripe cherry, (minor) green pepper, lightly moist ashen soil, crushed cherries, under-ripe tangerine peel, fresh strawberry and faint cedar notes.
Palate has bright cherry, sweet cherry, dried raspberry, dry earth with crushed granite and dried strawberry on the long finish. Fine tannins while (light) bitter herbs linger, not distracting.
Decanted 2+ hours; more time needed here, in decanter and cellar. Future bottles should be 2024+
Date night at home tonight with takeout from our favorite, intimate French bistro; Braised Duck Leg with Red Wine & Cranberry Jus, House-made Spaetzle & Mushroom Ragout.
+
Winery (back label) notes:
Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir is from specially selected blocks of our densely planted estate vineyard (est. 1994) in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The grapes are fermented using indigenous yeasts, and are aged for 18 months in barrel. The wine is gravity bottled without fining or filtration to preserve the deep, concentrated black fruit aromas and flavors of this terrific young vineyard. (675 Cases)
Nose has mashed black/red cherries, recently washed blackberries, pink rose and light cedar notes.
Palate has mashed raspberry/cherry, light baking spice, cedar plank and faint anise notes. Tannins are gentle.
Decanted ~2 hours, very cedar-y on opening, but since subsided significantly. I think this wine needs a few more years to gain some concentration on the flavors, but otherwise a very solid bottle at ~5 years past vintage.
We met the winemaker/owner, Brian O'Donnell, at a dinner many years ago and were thrilled with his passion and success with Pinot Noir. We don't come across his wines regularly in retail settings, but do buy them when we see them. We're still letting some older vintages rest in the cellar.
Nose has mashed black/red cherries, recently washed blackberries, pink rose and light cedar notes.
Palate has mashed raspberry/cherry, light baking spice, cedar plank and faint anise notes. Tannins are gentle.
Decanted ~2 hours, very cedar-y on opening, but since subsided significantly. I think this wine needs a few more years to gain some concentration on the flavors, but otherwise a very solid bottle at ~5 years past vintage.
We met the winemaker/owner, Brian O'Donnell, at a dinner many years ago and were thrilled with his passion and success with Pinot Noir. We don't come across his wines regularly in retail settings, but do buy them when we see them. We're still letting some older vintages rest in the cellar.
Belle Pente = "beautiful slope", 70 acre hillside vineyard on a historic 1840s farmstead 2 miles east of Carlton in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Beautiful nose with ripe berry & floral scents. Fresh fruit flavors of raspberry & sweet cherry, hints of vanilla oak spice, great balance with vivid acidity. Smooth tannins, lingering finish ending with cedar tones & a nudge of spice. An enjoyable Pinot at great price. Has aging benefits, but why wait. Small production, grab all bottles you can find. A Fav!
Belle Pente = "beautiful slope", 70 acre hillside vineyard on a historic 1840s farmstead 2 miles east of Carlton in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Beautiful nose with ripe berry & floral scents. Fresh fruit flavors of raspberry & sweet cherry, hints of vanilla oak spice, great balance with vivid acidity. Smooth tannins, lingering finish ending with cedar tones & a nudge of spice. An enjoyable Pinot at great price. Has aging benefits, but why wait. Small production, grab all bottles you can find. A Fav!
Mar 11th, 2019Belle Pente means "beautiful slope", 70 acre hillside vineyard on a historic 1840s farmstead 2 miles east of Carlton in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Beautiful nose with ripe berry & floral scents mingling in the glass. Fresh fruit flavors of raspberry & sweet cherry, hints of vanilla oak spice, great balance with vivid acidity. Smooth tannins, lingering finish ending with cedar tones & a nudge of spice. An enjoyable Pinot at great price. Has aging benefits, but why wait. 667 cases, grab all bottles you can find.
Belle Pente means "beautiful slope", 70 acre hillside vineyard on a historic 1840s farmstead 2 miles east of Carlton in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Beautiful nose with ripe berry & floral scents mingling in the glass. Fresh fruit flavors of raspberry & sweet cherry, hints of vanilla oak spice, great balance with vivid acidity. Smooth tannins, lingering finish ending with cedar tones & a nudge of spice. An enjoyable Pinot at great price. Has aging benefits, but why wait. 667 cases, grab all bottles you can find.
Oct 28th, 2018
First time tasting this. Won't be the last.
First time tasting this. Won't be the last.
Feb 8th, 2018Pretty Oregon Pinot. Red fruit, dry earth, spice. I wish I had kept longer!
Pretty Oregon Pinot. Red fruit, dry earth, spice. I wish I had kept longer!
Nov 2nd, 2017
Solid, tasty and honest willamette pinot noir from a genuine guy, Brian O'Donnell.
Solid, tasty and honest willamette pinot noir from a genuine guy, Brian O'Donnell.
6 people found it helpfulDec 27th, 2012
Love the 07s and Brian is one of the best! It took a while to open up, but lots of brambly spice, classic Pinot aromatics and a very silky texture.
Love the 07s and Brian is one of the best! It took a while to open up, but lots of brambly spice, classic Pinot aromatics and a very silky texture.
2 people found it helpfulDec 16th, 2013
Most underrated producer in the Willamette.
Most underrated producer in the Willamette.
1 person found it helpfulAug 2nd, 2016