2022 Willful Wine Company - Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (750ml)

Willful Wine Company was founded by Pam Walden, a winemaker originally from England who built her career in Oregon's Dundee Hills before selling her vineyard to focus entirely on winemaking. The name reflects her independent spirit, and Walden channels that same determined, hands-on approach into every wine she makes, including her Jezebel label. Today Willful sources fruit from a range of respected sites across the north Willamette Valley, along with small production Tempranillo from the Umpqua Valley and reds from Walla Walla.

This Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit drawn from several vineyards spanning the Yamhill-Carlton, Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge, and Chehalem Mountains AVAs, allowing Walden to build complexity from multiple distinct sites rather than a single vineyard. The grapes were fermented in small lots using native yeasts, with a portion of whole clusters included to add structure and spice. The wine then aged for ten months in a combination of neutral and once used French oak barrels, a light touch meant to preserve the fruit's natural character.

Aromas of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry mingle with candied cinnamon and a touch of purple flowers, while the palate stays bright with fresh cherry and dark fruit carried by lively acidity. Elegant, well integrated tannins give the wine a silky texture without weighing it down. It pairs nicely with roasted turkey, mushroom flatbread, or a simple herb marinated pork tenderloin.