Our Style Of Pinot: 2019 Goodfellow
As promised, more "epic Pinot noirs of noteworthy elegance and energy," as the recent Vinous report raved about Willamette Valley 2019s.
Today we focus on one of our favorite wineries on the planet: Goodfellow Family Cellars. We love all kinds of Pinot but one thing has always been true for Goodfellow: they are our style of Pinot noirs. They emphasize elegance and complexity in aromas and flavors, have lower alcohol levels, they are as enjoyable as they are intellectual, beguiling you and quenching your Pinot thirst in equal doses.
There's a wine here for nearly every Willamette Valley fan: the newest wow-worthy Heritage, the in-the-know Oracle, the consistently incredible value Willamette Valley Pinot, the steal of a Chardonnay...and there's more! Highly rated, highly recommended, ready to show off their style.
$59.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($69.95 regular)
Us: Three words that differentiate this: texture, texture, texture. An effortlessly silky, sexy, voluminous yet weightless feel makes this a "wow" wine—I wrote exactly that in my handwritten notes. Exceptional length and delicacy, intensity of red fruits, and more. A serious treat.
96 points Vinous: "Expansive, mineral- and spice-accented red fruit preserve, potpourri and incense aromas are joined by hints of cola and botanical herbs as the wine opens up. Alluringly sweet and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry cola, star anise and candied rose flavors that slowly unfold through the back half. Smooth, polished tannins build slowly on the impressively long, focused finish, which strongly echoes the red fruit, floral and spice notes. This suave wine will age gracefully on its balance."
$39.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($44.95 regular)
Us: This unicorn bottling from the wonderful Oracle Vineyard in the Dundee Hills wasn't submitted for rating—it is the only vintage Goodfellow will produce an Oracle and thus, we (and Goodfellow) consider this the "in-the-know" 2019. It's a secret we're not going to keep; instead we'll put up billboards, put it in our Reserve Pinot club, and generally shout to anyone who'll listen about how much we love it! Classic Dundee Hills red-fruited deliciousness, classic Goodfellow complexity and feel. You need to be in the know.
$22.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($24.95 regular)
Us: Consistently one of the best values in Willamette Valley Pinot noir, in technical wine terms this baby over-delivers.
Marcus's magic with the stellar vineyards he sources from—Whistling Ridge, Durant, Temperance Hill, Fir Crest , Lewman—shines here, creating a fabric of elegant red fruits with savory and spicy threads. To love this wine is to love the style of Marcus Goodfellow, whose wines are as enjoyable as they are intellectual, beguiling you and quenching your Pinot thirst in equal doses.
91 points Vinous: "Zesty red fruits and spices on the nose, plus hints of blood orange and botanical herbs. Tangy and sharply focused, offering nervy red currant, bitter cherry, orange zest and licorice flavors that take a sweet turn on the back half. Closes long and smooth, with the spice and herb notes repeating. This is a distinctly savory, restrained Pinot, which is uncommon for an entry-level offering."
$26.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($29.95 regular)
Us: Yes, we snuck in a Chardonnay because, dollar for dollar, it is awfully tough to beat Goodfellow's Dundee Hills '19. I'm not even going to get into the fruits and stuff—just know that if you've ever found yourself liking Goodfellow's style of Chardonnay (and for that matter, Willamette Valley Chard as a whole), this is a steal of a wine. 100% Durant Vineyard.
$49.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($54.95 regular)
Us: Goodfellow + Temperance Hill = two of our favorite things about Willamette Valley wine. More cool blue tones appear first, with a denser feel to the fruit, but it resolves red, pure, and succulent.
95 points Vinous: "Vibrant red and blue fruit, floral oil, cola and exotic spice qualities on the intensely perfumed nose. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry, floral pastille and exotic spice flavors that tighten up and turn livelier as the wine opens up. Shows superb clarity and minerally lift and cut on an extremely long, focused finish shaped by smooth, well-judged tannins."
$39.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($44.95 regular)
Us: Bright and structured, as we've come to expect and appreciate about Goodfellow's Fir Crest Pinots, yet a noticeable departure from previous vintages—the cool, classic character of vintage 2019 is most clearly displayed in the Fir Crest bottling. The '19 was a surprise and we are big fans!
94 points Vinous: "Mineral- and spice-accented aromas of fresh red and blue fruits are complicated by suggestions of succulent herbs and sandalwood. Silky and pliant in texture, offering vibrant cherry, raspberry, pomegranate and spicecake flavors sweetened by a frisson of candied flowers. Discreet tannins build slowly on a sharply detailed finish that lingers with superb, floral-driven persistence."