Project 1899 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Illahe's winemaker Brad Ford is a former English and poetry teacher—tasting his wines it's impossible to ignore the prose in them. Pinot Noir used in the 1899 is delivered to the winery by a team of horses, and it's racked by way of a bicycle pump, in short it's a wine made entirely without electricity. Every aspect of it requires hand labor. In the glass a novella of underbrush and brambly fruit, decaying rose petals and crushed stone. Subtle minerality ripples through a red-fruited core, and lingers at the close.

Wine made today the way they might have made wine in 1899. Pretty good too!

Thank you Chef Nobuo for bringing this wine to dinner...When it comes to this wine, I got one word, "DUDE!"

I know this area of the country is known for killer Pinot Noirs, but this wine is in a class of its own. Deep dark fruit flavor a with wonderful finish. Me like...A lot! 8-)

Made the way it would have been made back in 1899.

Tastes quite young for an 1899.

Needed 30 minutes to open up, long finish, strawberry jam, low acidity, low tannins. 2014 vintage so at 9 years was probably past it’s prime

Had the 2016, it’s one of the biggest Pinot’s I’ve ever had. Plush, spiced finish.

Pretty nose with ripe red and black fruit. More tame than expected. Medium finish.

Amazing! So delicious! Saved this for our 10yr anniversary, so worth it!

Delightful!!!