Willamette Valley, Oregon
Belle Pente’s Brian O’Donnell is one of the Willamette Valley’s most gifted and conscientious winemakers. O’Donnell’s trademark is his ability to balance elegance and power while simultaneously honoring the distinctive natures of his vineyard sources’ terroirs. An unabashed Alsatian wine enthusiast, O’Donnell looks to the homeland of Pinot Gris for inspiration for his own interpretations of Oregon’s signature white grape. Belle Pente’s 2016 Pinot Gris opens with a brilliant medium lemon-gold color and a full-throttle bouquet of clover honey, sage, thyme, hazelnuts, and honeysuckle. Ample on the attack, the wine coats the palate with lovely yellow melon, lemon, and apricot fruit infused with smoky minerals. Long, lingering, and complex, the wine finishes with reprises of fresh apricots, yellow apples, crystallized ginger, and savory herbs. This is a world-class Pinot Gris in the classical Alsatian style that will thrill you now and over the next five years. Pair with hearty fish dishes, roast poultry, choucroute garni, roast pork loin, and dishes featuring fresh chanterelle mushrooms. We recommend serving this only slightly chilled or at cool cellar temperature to fully reveal the wine’s pixelated fruit and impressive mineral core. Our vote for Belle Pente’s finest Pinot Gris yet!
A May 2022 newsletter selection
