Grochau Cellars, Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2012

92 points Vinous
"Brilliant red. Deeply pitched aromas of dark berries, cola and lavender, with suggestions of woodsmoke and star anise in the background. Juicy and seamless on the palate, offering concentrated cherry and dark berry flavors that become livelier with air. Rich and full yet surprisingly lithe, this intense, fruit-driven wine finishes with supple tannins and strong thrust."

Vinous Reverie Notes
In the backyard of Portland, Oregon, the Willamette Valley is now one of the premier regions for United States Pinot Noir. Within the larger AVA lies Eola-Amity Hills, a more defined microclimate that has thinner soils with less water holding capacity and proximity to cooler winds. Specializing in Eola-Amity Hills wines, Grochau Cellars was founded in 2002 by John Grochau and is based on the principles of minimalism, only utilizing grapes from vineyards whose processes are organic and environmentally friendly. The main philosophy of Grochau Cellars is “Don’t Screw It Up,” believing that with minimal intervention, naturally healthy grapes can be given their best chance to shine. By maintaining this philosophy, Grochau Cellars represents the true flavors of Oregon: complex, pure, and satisfying.