I had this with dinner at Freds a while ago and have been smitten with it since. Evening Land Vineyards are one of the top producers in the Willamette Valley and this wine is no exception.
Evening Land's Seven Springs Vineyard is one of the oldest and most sought-after sites in the Willamette Valley. Al MacDonald planted the vines in 1984 next to the Douglas fir trees that surround the northern section of the property. The vineyard has always been dry-farmed and is positioned to capture the cold air from the Pacific that enters the valley through the Van Duzer Corridor, just to the north of the appellation.
Salem Wine Co. is a secondary project from Evening Land sourcing from three vineyard sites across Eola-Amity including Seven Springs Vineyard.
Winemaker Notes:
A historically dry vintage, the 2018 Salem Wine Co. Pinot Noir is brimming with texture, flavor, and length. Bright red-fruit Pinot Noir from their vineyard's East Ride is anchored with richer, more structured elements from declassified barrels of Seven Springs and La Source Pinot Nor. This is an unctuous and pleasing drop, crafted in an accessible and immediately enjoyable style.
I had this wine some years ago in a restaurant and have finally tracked it down. And it was like I remembered. Elegant and subtle with loads of complexity from layers of dark fruit.
