It's now official (because we say so): Sojeau Pinot is the Walter Scott flagship, the essence of their style, the complete package. Voluminous and rounded, spun with the vivacious energy of the site. We love the density of the red cherries and berries, strolling hand-in-hand with purple flower and fresh earth accents plus a spice element that reminds me of the tastiest adult version of my favorite childhood beverage, root beer.
"Sojeau" is the new name for Sojourner vineyard, which is without question or exception among the couple handfuls of our favorite vineyards in the whole Willamette Valley. - Marcus
Power and sophistication. Wild raspberry, violet and spices showing sarsaparilla, cocoa and tobacco. Sweet red cherry & bolete mushroom with delicate tannins lead to a vibrant and intensely mineral finish. - Walter Scott
2018 vintage notes
96 points Wine & Spirits Magazine: " It is a haunting wine, with scents of licorice, cinnamon, allspice and tea, all of it channeled through vibrant red-cherry and raspberry flavors, with a diaphanous tension and lightness that’s astonishing. Pahlow made some spectacular wines in 2018, and Sojeau may end up being the most complex and lasting. One taster named it Prince, for its binary sensuality, yin-and-yang expression of power and delicacy, its virtuoso fruit and its haunting savor."
2017 vintage notes
95 points PinotFile: "The aromas really draw you into the glass with a perfume of rose petal, muddled cherry, pomegranate and spice. Highly pleasurable from start to finish, offering mid weight flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and spice. Impeccable balance, with a dry, black cherry infused, bombastic finish. Wow!"
2015 vintage notes
A fantastic small vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, Sojourner ’15 enters the scene as a grand piano -- there are a few more notes to be struck in both the higher and lower register. Displaying an exuberant Oregon wild berry basket complemented by subtle spice and bold mineral accents, Sojo finishes focused and fresh with plenty more to give. An engaging drink already, better with two to four more years of age. 300 cases made. - Marcus
2014 vintage notes
93 points Wine Advocate: "The sophomore 2014 Sojourner Vineyard Pinot Noir from Eola-Amity comes from very rocky soils - two blocks and 13 rows picked at the same time. Picked at 4.5-tons per acre, it has a very precise bouquet with dark berries, undergrowth and black tea aromas that are nicely detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, the 10% whole cluster fruit lending freshness and delineation. This is very harmonious - red segueing into black fruit towards the finish that lingers long in the mouth. Utterly superb."
2012 vintage notes
Darker and a touch mysterious, heaping buckets of dark cherries and a flash of blood orange and sweet cinnamon. Finishes with structure and rustic elegance. Only 125 cases made, and one of the finest expressions of Freedom Hill to date. Ken’s familiarity with the vineyard dates back well over a decade to his time at St. Innocent. - Marcus