Beaux Frères Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Beaux Frères Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2022

Tasting

Appearance
This wine displays a ruby color of medium to deep intensity, enhanced by carmine and violet reflections. The whole is clear and particularly bright.

Nose
The bouquet reveals pure and highly expressive aromas. It opens with a fruity character marked by black raspberry and candied cherry, harmoniously complemented by notes of red tea, sweet spices and delicate floral touches.

Palate
Vibrant, fresh and energetic, the attack is ample and caressing. The texture offers a beautiful balance as well as a fine structure supported by silky, velvety tannins. The finish stands out for its remarkable length.

Food and wine pairings
This cuvée will pair perfectly with roast poultry, duck breast, white meats such as veal or rabbit, as well as vegetarian dishes such as a mushroom risotto.

Serving and cellaring
It is recommended to serve this wine at a temperature between 14 and 16 °C, ideally in a Burgundy-style glass, after about thirty minutes of aeration. With fine aging potential, this wine can be enjoyed until around 2030.

A pure expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir by The Beaux Frères Vineyard

The estate
Located in Oregon, the The Beaux Frères Vineyard estate was founded in the late 1980s by Michael Etzel and his brother-in-law, the renowned critic Robert Parker. Established on the slopes of Ribbon Ridge, the estate is recognized for its artisanal approach and its environmentally respectful viticulture, often inspired by biodynamics. Today, the property belongs to the Artémis Domaines group, owned by the Pinault family. The estate stands out for its ability to produce wines of great purity, faithfully reflecting the identity of their terroir.

The vineyard
The grapes come from the estate's plots located on the Ribbon Ridge crest as well as from neighboring partner vineyards within the Willamette Valley. These terroirs are characterized by poor, well-drained soils, derived from ancient marine sediments. The vines, planted at high density, are cultivated according to rigorous standards, favoring organic and biodynamic practices to promote soil vitality.

The vintage
The year 2022 began with a cold spring marked by a few frosts that affected flowering. The season then continued with a dry, sunny and warm summer, without excessive temperatures. These favorable conditions, which lasted until the end of the growing cycle, offered an excellent harvest window, allowing grapes to be picked at optimal ripeness.

Winemaking and aging
To craft this American red wine, the manual harvest is followed by meticulous double sorting. The vinification, low in intervention, relies on indigenous yeasts and incorporates a moderate proportion of whole clusters. Extraction is carried out gently to preserve the finesse of the tannins. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels for ten to fourteen months, with a measured use of new oak, before being bottled with very light filtration, if any.

Grape variety
100% Pinot Noir.