February 14, 2023
20-Buck Bottle: Affordable Willamette pinot noir
A rare budget West Coast pinot worth drinking
by Anita Skogland
2020 Oregon Trails Wine Co. (OTWC) Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Oregon
Available at: Whole Foods Market
Price: $17.99
On The Nose: Earthy notes balanced by light cherry, raspberry, warm spice
On The Palate: Medium body, balanced acidity, smoke notes, black cherry
On The Plate: Venison, duck, roast chicken, pasta with mushroom ragu, manchego with rosemary crust, white bean cassoulet
Our Take: I am always leery of West Coast pinot noir under $20; they are often weedy or sweet. This pinot noir is balanced and worth drinking.
Fun Fact: The wine’s name honors the pioneering people who persisted across the country to find new communities in the west. The Oregon Trails were crossed, and the pioneers ended up in the Willamette Valley. They saw good soil for produce and vines, and settled in to rebuild their lives.
