2018 Resonance Vineyard Pinot Noir

Resonance Vineyard is a 20-acre vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA now owned by one of Burgundy’s most illustrious domaines, Maison Louis Jadot. The Oregon vineyard was first planted to Pinot Noir in 1981 by Kevin and Carla Chambers, owners of an Oregon vineyard management and development company. For nearly 20 years the couple sold their grapes from Resonance to other wineries, and along the way they achieved biodynamic certification. Starting in 2006, however, the Chambers began making their own wine with some of their Resonance Vineyard grapes. In 2013 the vineyard was purchased by Maison Louis Jadot, one of Burgundy’s most storied producers. It was the first time the Louis Jadot had purchased vineyards outside of Burgundy, and the maison sent Jacques Lardière, their legendary winemaker who was at that time retired, to oversee cultivation, vinification and aging of the wines. In reviewing one of the 2014 vintages, Wine Advocate noted that “Jacques Lardière, the eternal retiree, has crafted another delicious Pinot Noir that is going to win a lot of fans.” The estate makes Pinot Noir and white wines.

Willamette Valley AVA was established in 1983, and it is the oldest appellation in Oregon. Oregon’s modern wine industry began in the Willamette Valley in the 1960s when artists, vagabond winemakers, and U.C. Davis oenology graduates looking for new territory started their own, small, off-the-grid wineries. The appellation is the state’s largest, and it extends 175 miles from Columbia River on the Washington/Oregon border to just south of Eugene, near central Oregon. The Willamette River runs through the area, helping to give the appellation a mild year-round climate. There are six smaller sub-appellations within this AVA, but altogether the Willamette Valley has the largest concentration of wineries in Oregon, as well as the majority of the state’s most famous producers. Pinot Noir is king here, followed by Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling. To most admirers of Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley offers the most distinctive wine choices in the state.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.