2023 Walter Scott - Pinot Noir Willamette Valley La Combe Verte (750ml)
2023 Walter Scott Pinot Noir — La Combe Verte from the Willamette Valley showcases the expressive character of Eola-Amity Hills. Composed from fruit drawn from Distraction, Sojeau, Temperance Hill, and Witness Tree vineyards, this wine rests on volcanic clay and stony soils that shape its structure and aromatics. Bottled in a 750ml format, La Combe Verte translates to “the green valley,” a nod to the lush landscape surrounding Walter Scott Wines.
Terroir & Vintage
The La Combe Verte vineyard sources contribute to a wine that embodies the place: Willamette Valley’s cooler climate lends bright red fruit with a nuanced earthy backdrop, while the volcanic soils add a poised mineral tension that evolves with age.
Winemaking
The 2023 Pinot Noir is fermented with ambient yeast, including a portion of whole clusters, then aged for about ten months in French oak, with one quarter of the barrels new. This careful balance preserves varietal purity and a clear sense of place while adding subtle oak integration.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: opens with ripe red and black fruits, lifted by delicate summer flowers and warm, earthy spice.
- Palate: wild berries echo the nose, complemented by mushroom notes and forest-floor hints that reveal the wine’s terroir-driven character.
- Texture & Finish: succulent tannins frame juicy acidity, giving immediate appeal and supporting real aging potential.
Food Pairings
La Combe Verte pairs beautifully with roast duck, mushroom risotto, or grilled salmon, enhancing the dish with its red fruit profile, earthy complexity, and balanced structure.
About Walter Scott Wines
Walter Scott Wines was founded in 2008 by Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon, who invested their retirement savings to launch the label from the Eola-Amity Hills. The name honors Ken’s grandfather, Walter, a TWA flight engineer known for turning dreams into reality. The La Combe Verte project began in a corner of Patricia Green Cellars’ winery in exchange for harvest labor, and Ken later refined his craft alongside Dominique Lafon before building the Walter Scott portfolio into one of Oregon’s most respected small Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers. This Pinot Noir captures the winery’s commitment to purity, place, and a hands-on approach to winemaking.