Beaux Freres 2016 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

Perhaps the most collectible Pinot Noir in America, Beaux Freres has set a standard that few can match. While on vacation in 1986, Michael Etzel came upon an 88-acre farm for sale located on Ribbon Ridge in the Northern Willamette Valley. After some deliberation, Michael purchased the farm with his brother-in-law, world famous wine critic, Robert Parker, Jr. Michael began his focused pursuit by planting only Pinot Noir and slowly transforming the old farm into his jewel. While planting his own vineyard, Michael worked four harvests at Ponzi Winery. In 1990, Michael harvested his first crop and sold the grapes, except enough to make one barrel, to winemakers Ken Wright and Dick Ponzi. In 1991, a renovation of one of the barns led to the creation of Beaux Frères Winery and the beginning of a cult classic. This year they celebrated the release of their 26th vintage. 2016 was the third outstanding vintage in a row in Oregon's Willamette Valley. In this stellar vintage the blend was Gran Moraine 29%, Hyland 19%, Sequitur 18%, Dupee 12%, Jesse James 8%, Starling 6%, Zena Crown 4%, and Beaux Frères 4%. Jeb Dunnuck scored this 93 points saying "The 2016 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is a ripe, sexy, opulent wine, especially for the region. Tons of ripe cherries, black raspberries, flowers, and exotic spice notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, rounded, beautifully textured Pinot Noir that has a complex, layered style. Drink it over the coming decade." and Wine Spectator scored it 94 saying "Seamlessly complex and silky, with vivid raspberry and blueberry flavors accented by black tea and savory spice notes that dance elegantly toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024." Limited!