Oregon’s 2019 Pinot Noirs - A Return to Classicism

BY JOSH RAYNOLDS | FEBRUARY 10, 2022

The Willamette Valley’s winning streak, which has seldom been interrupted for almost the past two decades, continued through 2019, a year that has produced some epic Pinot Noirs of noteworthy elegance and energy. This is truly a golden age for high-quality Pinot Noirs from across Oregon. One could convincingly argue that the last six vintages, from 2014 through 2019, produced many of the greatest wines to ever emerge from the state.

Mike Etzel's Sequitur Vineyard, in the heart of Ribbon Ridge, is still relatively young but it already shows superb potential, in his hands as well as those to whom he sells fruit.

The 2019 Growing Season & Wines

Unlike the preceding vintages, the 2019 growing season started off cold and rainy, but the weather slowly warmed up, and spring temperatures were relatively normal. Conditions were on the cool side in some areas, notably the Eola-Amity Hills, which always enjoys the chilly Pacific Ocean winds. It was also rainy at times across the Willamette Valley, with a few isolated frost episodes but nothing overly dangerous or destructive. Abundant rain fell in late June and early July, which slowed down ripening while accelerating growth and increasing disease pressure, especially mildew. But well-managed vineyards, which happily tend to be the rule here, made it through with relatively little serious damage aside from reduced yields because of conscientious crop-thinning. There were no heat spikes, thankfully. August was very dry, and temperatures remained fairly cool. Periodic humidity kept growers on their feet as plenty of diligence in the vineyards was essential. Well-timed rain in early September slowed things down, carrying the cool weather into October and ensuring that sugar levels wouldn’t run away while healthy acidity levels were maintained. Harvest began for most growers in the last week of September. The late harvest resulted in increased complexity and depth of flavor in the wines, but not at the expense of freshness and energy. The only downside is that it was a small crop, marked by lots of small berries and clusters. Brightness and elegance are the key words for 2019, a year that some producers have described as a throwback to the old days and style, before the hot vintages started stacking up.

Springtime in the rolling terrain of the Chehalem Mountains.