This is just a screaming deal of a pinot noir!
"Juicy and generous, this offers easygoing cherry and raspberry flavors that are laced with toasty oak and spicy herbs. Drink now through 2028. " Wine Spectator 88 Points
Elouan is the result of Californian winemaker, Joe Wagner, venturing up to Oregon, one of the world's renowned Pinot Noir regions, with a goal to produce Pinot Noir with depth of flavor, vibrancy and suppleness. For this wine we brought together fruit from three regions along Oregon's coast; Umpqua, Willamette and Rogue Valleys, which harmonize beautifully when blended as one. The diversity of these cool climate areas combined with an elongated growing season creates wine with intense structure, while maintaining a vibrant acidity that differentiates it from any California Pinot Noir.
WILLAMETTE VALLEY: The coolest of the regions, at times it can be difficult to fully ripen the grapes. It is a worthy contributor to any Pinot Noir blend, offering up fresh cranberry and rose petal notes with an intense acidity.
UMPQUA VALLEY: The most consistent region for Pinot Noir in Oregon, and the predominate force in the wine, Umpqua is the perfect stylistic middle ground. This region produces a vibrant acidity, soft structure and flavors of cherry, rhubarb and fresh tilled earth.
ROGUE VALLEY: Offering deep plum notes, and creating richness and depth in the mouth feel, this AVA results in a ripe powerhouse style for Oregon. The Rogue provides a robust element to the blend with abundant, yet supple tannins, and a sweet red fruit core.
Pinot Noir is at its most pure and nuanced when grown in a temperate, cool climate. The delicate attributes of the grape and its tendency for early maturation means that Pinot Noir requires lower temperatures and ample sunlight to achieve optimum ripeness. The coastal hills of Oregon are an ideal location to grow this resonant style of Pinot Noir. The name Elouan means "good light", which is reflective of the typically cool summers, yet abundant sunshine found in this northern hemisphere winegrowing region. The unique climate, diversity of soil types and the gentle sunlight influence on both canopy and fruit, form the foundation of this wine's northern character.
Richer and more full bodied than what is typical of Oregon Pinot Noir, which generally is very lean. Bright ruby red in color. Ripe cranberry, sweet cinnamon and fresh cherry create an inviting bouquet, with a subtle earthiness. The palate shows texture and weight with firm acidity that carries the flavor through. The flavor profile shows red plum, bright cherry, minerality, dusty earth, and a hint of sweet tobacco, creating rustic layers of flavor with soft refined tannins.
