Fantastic 92 Point Rated Oregon Pinot Noir

Fantastic 92 Point Rated Oregon Pinot Noir

SOLD OUT! I had a bottle of the 2014 Elk Cove Pinot Noir recently, and it was soooo good! It was from my own personal stash, and I assumed my distributor was out, as most Oregon producers have already moved into the 2015 vintage. Nope! My friends at Grapevine Distributing had more, and I snatched up the last 20 cases.

In case you forgot, Vintage 2014 was a great one in Oregon and as evidenced by this wine, they’re drinking beautifully right now. Warm temperatures and dry conditions resulted in a bumper crop of high quality, powerful Pinot Noirs, and Adam Campbell of Elk Cove produced one of the vintages great values. At less than $30/bottle (and as low as $23.99), it “behaves” like many Oregon Pinot Noirs that cost 2 to 3 times the price! 

Elk Cove Pinot Noir

2014 Elk Cove Pinot Noir 

92 points James Suckling

SOLD OUT

Elk Cove was founded in 1974 by Pat and Joe Campbell on an old abandoned and overgrown homestead in the foothills of the Coast Range Mountains. They were among an early group of bold, brave, and ambitious producers to put vines down in Oregon. Everyone that knew anything about wine at the time advised them against it, saying Oregon was too cold and too wet to support the vine.

The Campbells, along with their five children, fearlessly moved forward with their project, and we’re glad they did. Forty years later, Elk Cove is considered one of the finest wineries in the state, and it’s still family owned and operated. These days, Joe and Pat’s son Adam oversees all aspects of the winery, from farming to winemaking. He’s proud, he’s methodical, and his attention to detail ensures quality from vine to bottle.

Every respected wine writer and periodical in the country has rated the 2014 vintage in Oregon favorably. Wine Spectator rated the vintage 97 points, Wine Business.com called it “the vintage of a lifetime,” and Great Britain’s Decanter called the vintage a “juggernaut” with “quality the public will fall all over.” Warmer and drier than usual, the 2014 crop of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was large and in charge!

Possessing deeper colors, riper flavors, and more concentrated personalities, these are wines that offer immediate gratification as well as cellar potential. The 2014 Elk Cove Pinot Noir pours a lovely, dark ruby color and the bouquet is marked by a mix of ripe cherry, dried strawberry, and dark raspberry. As the wine breathes, more brown spice and earth notes arise. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and the texture is structured, yet silky. The flavors are of red berries, black tea and earthy spice, and the finish goes on and on for at least 30 seconds. Drink this lovely wine now with wild salmon, roast chicken or pork tenderloin, or cellar for 5 to 7 years.

If you know me, you know I’m a “Pinot Devotee,” and this is one of the best under $30 Oregon Pinots I’ve encountered this year. Stop by and pick some up or call us at 828.505.8588, and we can run your credit card over the phone and hold your wine until you can pick up. Cheers and happy drinking and eating!

Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville