2018 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve

For sheer value in upper-tier Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, it’s tough to match the work of Jill and Brian O’Donnell’s Belle Pente wines. Unfortunately for those who knew the insider secret back when their first vintage (1996) was released, the wines’ reputation has been steadily spreading, and they’re not as easy to track down today. I suspect that changing tastes have a lot to do with this, as New World Pinots that showcase elegance and even restraint – which are the hallmarks of Belle Pente – are far more prized now than a couple of decades ago. As most everybody knows, 2017 and 2018 were hot vintages. Making wines of finesse was difficult, but the O’Donnells managed to pull it off, with aplomb.