While I haven’t been posting many wine reviews lately, it hasn’t been because I haven’t been drinking any wine. God forbid! No, I’d been drinking down a lot of my Spanish Tempranillo stock for the last few months. But as this year draws to a close, the Missus and I decided to open a bottle of the prize of my (admittedly) meager wine collection, a 2013 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir. While I hoard my bottles of this wine like Smaug in the Hobbit hoarded dwarven gold, after a crappy 2017 I thought it might be nice to end the year on a high note.
Four Graces Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley Oregon
Finally breaking Spanish wine review stranglehold. Going back near the beginning with this wine!
For years my wife and I bought wine our budget could afford, and we tended to drink wines that were simple. (I’m ashamed to say it, we were very partial to Biltmore Estate Zinfandel…) I can’t remember how we came to acquire a bottle of Four Graces Pinot Noir, I think it was recommended by a friend who worked at a wine store. Anyway, we cracked open a bottle of 2009 Four Graces Pinot Noir, and were instantly hooked. We finally tried a wine that provided the stepping stone for advancement of our palates. For at least a year or two afterwards I was DEVOTED to Willamette Valley pinot noirs, and they are still near the top of my list.
History
The Black family purchased an existing vineyard in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley in 2003 with the goal of producing rich, elegant, delicious and complex wines.
That same year The Four Graces was founded. The winery is named in honor of the Black’s four daughters.
In 2005 the Blacks purchased the Doe Ridge property in Yamhill Carlton to continue the growth of the brand. They chose a site in a differing appellation to add complexity and variety.
This vineyard has been turned into one of the largest experiments of its kind with forty acres farmed sustainably through the L.I.V.E (low impact viticulture and enology) program.
Today The Four Graces is owned by Bill Foley and produces Pinot noir, Pinot gris, and Pinot blanc renowned nationally and internationally for their balance, elegance, complexity, and richness.
Wine-making and Aging
Wine is fermented from pinot noir grapes on the main Foley Family estate vineyards. The wine is aged in both old and new French Oak casks for 9 months.
My Tasting Notes
Aromatic with dark cherry and coffee. Palate is dark cherry and spicy due to the French Oak cask aging. Finish is peppery but with stronger tannins.