Soulful, Sub-$25 Pinot: An Imperative Buy
We're seeing fewer truly excellent, artisan-made, sub-$25 Willamette Valley Pinot noirs. And we're quite sure this will be the new norm, which makes Shiba Wichern's Willamette Cuvée an imperative buy. Outstanding, soulful Pinot noir for the buck—value Pinot hunters, don't miss it.
Plus, a brief reappearance of Shiba Wichern's Momtazi Vineyard Pinot noir 2018, one of the best Pinots we've tasted this year and one of the 10 best Willamette Valley Pinot noirs from the 2018 vintage. Only 2 cases available so you better hurry.
$23.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($25.95 regular)
Us: Harmonious, thoughtful, delicious. The 2019 reflects the "classic" Willamette growing season (in contrast to 2014 through 2018) with a classically-styled Pinot noir full of silky red fruits, delicate spice and savory accents carried through on a lithe frame with surprising staying power. Like previous vintages, it is more soulful than we can reasonably expect for the price which makes it exactly our kind of wine. Fewer than 300 cases produced.
From the winery: We make boutique wines and sell them at fair prices. For us the Willamette Cuvée is always a study in blending for balance. Our guidelines and goals with blending are always the same—balance the acidity, fruit and tannins. Every year it's the same and every year the Willamette Cuvée turns into something unique.
$64.95 in any 12 bottle or Build a Case order ($71.95 regular)
A surprise two final cases, this makes an unexpected (and brief) return.
Put simply: one of the best Pinots we've tasted this year. It was the first wine of 2022 designated for our year-end Collector's Case. It is an easy choice for one of my top 10 Willamette Valley Pinots from the spectacular 2018 vintage.
As the winemaker wrote: "So, how does it taste? I suggest you drink it last, because it is a hard act to follow."