Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir 2023

Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir 2023

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98 points Wine Enthusiast: "Memorialis is quietly becoming one of Oregon's best Pinot Noirs. A Bing cherry aroma slinks its way up from the glass, followed by spicy whispers of cardamom and cinnamon. Straw and chalkboard dust scents seal the deal. After a tannic black tea note materializes on the palate, the wine's cranberry and raspberry flavors punch the tart button. You can feel the tannins, but they aren't grippy. The acidity, however, lets you know it is ready for juicy business."

High ratings can be a mixed bag. For example: last year, Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir 2022 received the double whammy of having Wine Enthusiast's Oregon reviewer, a former Oregon retailer with extensive experience tasting Willamette Pinots, who is actually based in Oregon, pose the question "is this the best Pinot Noir in Oregon?" along with a 97 point rating. It was a fantastic way to help introduce Pinot fans to Holocene's wines, and customers spent months telling us how much they liked it. But once it was gone and we contemplated the next vintage, 2023, we thought, how on earth how do we follow that up?

Here's how: first, we taste the 2023 Memorialis and my note begins "this wallops the '22!" Then, the new review from Wine Enthusiast hits: 98 points, plus "Memorialis is quietly becoming one of Oregon's best Pinot Noirs." Dude, there's nothing quiet about the review nor about the truth—Memorialis is one of Oregon's best Pinots, boom, end of story. If you liked the '22, you will love the 2023. If you missed the '22, do not miss this vintage!

Us: There's nothing quiet about it. This wallops the 2022, a task I didn't think possible. If the note above is a little esoteric for you, try this: even more layers of succulent red fruit than '22 and an even more wonderfully plush texture—dear lord this is good—and such a complete wine in overall balance, persistence, and feel. It's hard to guarantee that everyone will like a wine but if you like Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, this comes mighty close to that guarantee.

2022 vintage notes

97 points Wine Enthusiast: "The Memorialis asks a rather provocative question—is the best Pinot Noir in Oregon being made in Milton-Freewater? 100% whole cluster fermented, this aromatic set of briary and brambly red fruit makes me want to dab it on my pulse points. Leathery tannins and crisp acidity join forces with tangy flavors of raspberries and rooibos tea with a lemon wedge. Enjoy 2024–2037."

96 points Owen Bargreen: "The nose is downright killer with wild blackberry, tobacco leaf and orange blossom notes. The palate is plush and dense with heady black and red fruit flavors. Very mineral-laden, this is dense and delicious Oregon Pinot Noir that is built to age. Drink 2024-2038."

 

                


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Build a Case® 

Make sure you always get a discount by using Build a Case® How it works:

If you haven't found a full case (12 bottles) to buy today, start your Build a Case®  now by purchasing a few bottles online, by phone or email. If you order online, select the Build a Case®  option. If by phone or email, just ask us to add the bottles to a Build a Case®  for you. You'll receive order confirmation and we'll cellar the wines for you until you reach a full case.

Our Wine Advice

Life's too short to drink bad wine.

We taste as much or more Oregon wine in a given year than anyone on the planet. We look for the needles in the haystacks, the wines you won't find in your local wine store. Wineries have long sought our help to sell their most limited, unique bottlings.

We are picky. We like to sell wines that we like to drink. We refer to taste the wines sell over several days; we want to know how a wine will evolve, how it pairs with food. We want to know if it truly belongs in your cellar, in your glass, and we want to provide you with guidance on how and when it'll be its best.

Our goal is to describe wines in ways that you can actually relate to. We battle against overly flowery tasting notes. You know the kind. The ones that mention things that no one has ever smelled or tasted. They're mostly B.S. and they perpetuate snobbery that we don't like.

We give you the unfiltered truth about a wine.We believe wine isn't one-size-fits-all. We get to know your tastes and preferences so that we can recommend the right wines for you.

Testimonials

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Avalon is a gem. The wine selection is both excellent and expertly curated. Better yet, Marcus and Andy invest the time to get to know their customers personally. So their recommendations fit you like a well-tailored suit (just more reasonably priced!).

Sam P.
★★★★★

Marcus and Andy's knowledge of the wines, wineries and winemakers of the area is encyclopedic and, in my experience, second to none. They have a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of the industry and a knack for recommending wines that are 'in my wheelhouse,' but also the insight to direct me toward new discoveries. I wholeheartedly recommend them to both those in the know and those who would
like to be.

Bob S.
★★★★★

Andy and Marcus only sell wines they would drink themselves, they sell them at reasonable prices, and they take exceptionally good care of their customers. Ethics, value, service…the reasons we buy all our wine from Avalon.

Lynne M.
★★★★★

These guys do an outstanding job of sourcing great wines at terrific prices. Their reviews are fun to read and quite on point without all of the nonsense. Whose ever tasted squirrel dung or asphalt anyway? Get on their email list and savor the experience; then tell a friend. That's how I became a dedicated customer of Avalon Wine.

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