2022 | Illahe Vineyards Pinot Noir "Bon Sauvage" | Oregon | USA

Willamette Pinot from a rising estate — grown next to the vineyard behind Oregon's $100 cult bottlings.

Illahe Vineyards farms an 80-acre south-facing slope in the Willamette Valley, tucked behind the famed Freedom Hill vineyard — the source for Ken Wright, Walter Scott and other benchmark Oregon Pinots. "Bon Sauvage" is their estate Pinot Noir, a pure, earthy expression of cool-climate Willamette fruit at a fraction of its neighbors' prices.

Willamette Pinot of real pedigree, from a great neighborhood, is the value sweet spot in American Pinot. Wine Spectator flagged it in the 91–94 range, CellarTracker around 91 → the $100 Pinots next door cost triple → at $34.99 you're drinking prime Willamette terroir.

• 100% Pinot Noir
• Willamette Valley, Oregon — estate fruit near Freedom Hill
• Illahe Vineyards; 80-acre south-facing slope
• Cool-climate, earthy, classically Oregon

Cigar box, cedar, forest floor and fennel over lingonberry and blueberry fruit with fine tannins and bright acidity. Translation: savory, cool-climate Willamette Pinot — red-fruited and earthy, with the lift that makes Oregon Pinot so food-friendly.

Prime-neighborhood Willamette Pinot at an everyday price. Exactly the bottle for salmon, roast chicken, or a Tuesday that deserves better.