2022 Evesham Wood - Pinot Noir Cuvee 'J' Willamette Valley (750ml)

Evesham Wood was founded in 1986 by Russ Rainey and Mary Raney, who established the estate vineyard Le Puits Sec after an extensive search across the Willamette Valley. In 2010, Erin Nuccio and his wife Jordan took over the winery, continuing its long-standing commitment to organic and biodynamic farming and sourcing fruit from like-minded growers throughout the valley. The estate has built its reputation on a hands-off, terroir-focused style, favoring gentle handling and minimal intervention across its range of single-vineyard and blended Pinot Noirs.

Cuvée J draws primarily from the upper block of Temperance Hill Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, a high-elevation site sitting between 800 and 900 feet, planted with own-rooted vines of the old Pommard clone dating back to 1986. The grapes ferment in small, one-and-a-half-ton open-top fermenters with a two to three day cold soak before pressing. Unlike the winery's other bottlings, which age mostly in neutral French oak, Cuvée J spends around eighteen months maturing in barrels that are half new, giving it slightly more structure and spice. The finished wine reaches 13% alcohol by volume.

The wine offers a fragrant mix of red and dark cherry, dried herbs, and forest floor, with a savory, earthy undertone. On the palate it is medium bodied and textured, showing bright acidity, fine tannins, and a long, spice-tinged finish.