Arterberry Maresh Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

What a difference a stone's throw from Maresh makes. Weber has such a supple feel that it's almost creamy and it's also utterly delightful. Black cherries combine with a fresh mountain huckleberry burst—I picked a pint in the Cascades a couple weeks ago so I know! A great showing in 2023, Weber's richness of fruit dances with lavender and minerals.

2022 vintages notes

 One of two 2022 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs of the vintage, 98 points Decanter: "Weber sits at a lower elevation. It's a 100% Pommard, 1983 planting on its own roots. The Weber is typically more savoury and dark. A crushed stone mineral tone with a smoky soy character, the umami character is front and centre in this wine. It almost has a hoisin oiliness. with sesame oil and roasted sea salt. Brooding and contemplative with richness and turned earth and smoky blood orange. Its intensity and complexity mark this as one of the top Pinot Noir that I've tasted as part of the 2022 vintage report."

A restrained Weber with pure red fruits more typical of the neighboring vineyards of Worden Hill. Tightly wound and weightless red currant, briar and cherry. -Jim Maresh

2021 vintage notes

97 points The Wine Advocate: "Highly expressive this year, pairing concentration and detail. It has a medium ruby color and alluring, feral aromas: wafts of iron, tar and game meats complement a deep core of briary fruit, and it takes its time in the glass to unfold to higher-toned notes of potpourri. Light-bodied, it's nuanced and detailed, opening to bursts of blood orange and bitters flavors as it moves through the mouth. It has abundant, powdery tannins, mouthwatering acidity and a flourish of spice across the finish. The Weber is already impressive, but it will offer even more after 5-8 years in bottle."

Down Worden Hill road from Maresh about a quarter mile is the incredibly distinctive Weber Vineyard. After my favorite Cameron Pinot, I'd say there would be nothing easier to identify in a blind tasting than Weber pinot noir. Certainly a 180 from Maresh, Weber is darker with game meat, lavender and black currant. A little less tannin than Maresh but still firm. Planted in 1983.

2019 vintage notes

98 points Wine Advocate: "The aromatics of the 2019 Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard are off the charts! Dark fruits are streaked with violet, burnt orange, botanicals and game meats on the nose, and the palate is equally concentrated and layered. It offers waves of dark fruits, an abundance of silty tannins and incredible freshness that causes the flavors to burst with energy and call you in for another sip. This singular, stunning expression is "a freak of nature," explains proprietor Jim Maresh, who only recently revived the single-vineyard cuvée from the Weber vineyard, 3.5 acres planted in 1983. Maresh says that unforeseen circumstances led to very, very low yields this vintage (less than 0.5 tons per acre), which seems reflected in the intensity of this wine. It should be very long-lived in the cellar."

In 2019 our Weber vines produced 1.74 tons of fruit from 3.6 acres. At .48 tons per acre this Weber is a freak of nature. It's the best Weber we have ever had in the cellar. When it's on, Weber uniquely displays the darkest shade of fruit on Worden Hill road that is often combined with game meat and lavender. It's all there in 2019. Black cherry, espresso beans, soil and lavender. Rich, creamy and dense without any barrel influence. The fruit is going full throttle in harmony without any cloy. This has been a favorite in the cellar even before it finished malolactic fermentation. 

Gorgeous, old vine, single vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot noir. Even with Jim Maresh's elegant house style, this has lusciousness to spare. Silky, with effusive black cherry and black raspberry providing the focal point of flavor, accented by floral and sweet earth nuances. Drink it now for its deliciousness or hold it 5-7 years. - Marcus