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 Vintage2008 Label 2 of 440 
TypeRed
ProducerDomaine Drouhin Oregon (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
Vineyardn/a
CountryUSA
RegionOregon
SubRegionWillamette Valley
AppellationWillamette Valley
UPC Code(s)012086860218

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2012 and 2019 (based on 33 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 89.8 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 243 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by tomandlu on 4/29/2023: No detailed notes. This was neither exciting nor boring. Just well-made, well-balanced pinot with no sense of place to my palate. (514 views)
 Tasted by 87tellub on 4/21/2023 & rated 92 points: The Night of Three (Random) Verticals (My House): Drank this next to the 2021. Not a shocker, but two completely different bottles of wine.

Medium garnet. Little stinky at first, some mushroom, some ash. Palate is fresh, light to medium in body. Still has fruit, little red rasberry, some tart red cherry. Healthy acidity. Lovely palate with tons of life. We'll see what some bottle air does to the nose over the next few hours.

Night 3 update: Smells great. That funky PnP stuff is gone and it's showing some nice fruit and florals. Juicy dark cherry on the palate. Just keeps improving. 2 hours later, the last glass is the most well-knit.

Nice bottle and based on this showing has plenty of gas left in the tank. (486 views)
 Tasted by Wayne and Chris on 12/11/2022 & rated 88 points: This bottle was stored correctly and it just passing it's peak. Red brick at the edges of the glass, the front & mid palate flavors are still there, leather and tobacco but the finish is short and I miss the long lingering flavors I usually get from DD. (655 views)
 Tasted by azcowino on 11/6/2022 & rated 88 points: This wine is 14 years old, and is showing its age. The nose upon opening is bright and fruity. Rich color. Flavor is still fruity, but age is present. A really good wine but we need to drink the rest of this lot. (729 views)
 Tasted by Ralphie1 on 7/27/2022 & rated 93 points: This magnum aged beautifully! Great vintage, wonderful wine! (874 views)
 Tasted by cma82 on 5/26/2022 & rated 91 points: Still a very nice wine, but compared to my last bottle this seems to have lost a bit of fruit. This felt a lot about structure, and some tertiary notes were coming through for the first time. (769 views)
 Tasted by DaneM on 9/26/2021: No detailed notes, but this was crazy good and drinking perfectly 13 years later. The QPR on the Willamette Valley label is amazing. (1285 views)
 Tasted by Oregonnative on 12/28/2020 & rated 93 points: Similar to previous notes. I’d add roses on the nose, tannins hit the front on a long, long, juicy finish. I opened Christmas Eve when too many wines were open. Took the air out and put the remaining half bottle in the fridge. I wasn’t expecting much after 4 days open but this was still beautiful. (1535 views)
 Tasted by Oregonnative on 8/2/2020 & rated 92 points: Really nice wine. Broad but in no way heavy. Tannins are soft and acidity is balanced. Still mostly primary red and black fruit. Dried fruit and spice are well integrated. Coating and mouthwatering finish. On the simple side but a nice example of aged Pinot. (1648 views)
 Tasted by cma82 on 6/15/2020 & rated 92 points: Best one I’ve had. Strawberries, black tea, cola, dried orange peel. Very closed when opened but gets a lot more open. I’d drink now. (1627 views)
 Tasted by jmcafee on 5/20/2020: Drink now (2020). Bright cherry on the palate with smooth tannins. Fruit well aged. (1525 views)
 Tasted by Ttgeer on 3/18/2020 & rated 93 points: Day 2: this has evolved into a spectacular wine. Spicy and balanced. Delicious (1268 views)
 Tasted by Ttgeer on 3/17/2020 & rated 90 points: Strawberry and cinnamon (1014 views)
 Tasted by mjl on 8/11/2019: Outside its window. Not bad but flat and one dimensional. Tried it from open to hours after to next day. Disappointing. (1442 views)
 Tasted by RJ&JJ on 4/18/2019 & rated 88 points: Past its prime. Will not get any better. Anemic in its balance, i.e. no fruit let left, just acid and tannins. (1375 views)
 Tasted by curtr on 3/20/2019 & rated 90 points: Holding up and should drink well through at least 2020. (1448 views)
 Tasted by Sonoffalstaff on 2/16/2019 & rated 92 points: This remains a firm favourite. The balance is exceptional. Plenty of new world pinot character but handled and integrated with Burgundian finese. This remains a very good value serious PN (1301 views)
 Tasted by curtr on 1/17/2019 & rated 90 points: Great with Salmon. (1341 views)
 Tasted by curtr on 1/4/2019 & rated 90 points: Breathed 1 hour in glass. Bold, paired well with baked stuffed shrimp. (1058 views)
 Tasted by curtr on 11/24/2018: Let breath in glass for an hour. (1399 views)
 Tasted by fredb on 11/13/2018: Garnet color, medium transparency. Aromas of spice and cranberry. Palate has pomegranate, sweet cherry, cinnamon, and some darker plum//mulberry notes that initially make it seem a bit muddled. With about 30 minutes of open bottle time, the flavors seem to crisp up and become better defined. The finish is medium. This shows the generosity of the 2008 vintage but has structure to keep it interesting as a cellared wine. Should improve to my tastes, but nice wine to drink now too. Drink or hold. (1289 views)
 Tasted by Ralphie1 on 10/6/2018 & rated 92 points: Beautiful Oregon Pinot! (1188 views)
 Tasted by sommwines on 9/15/2018: Very enjoyable. Cherry notes. Cherry and spice box on the palate.

Going strong at 10 years for an entry level bottling. (1312 views)
 Tasted by chitowncdpguy on 1/29/2018: A little disappointed in this bottle. It was nice, but in a way, uninteresting. Pretty nose of vanilla and red fruit. The palate has red fruit, christmas spice, is nicely balanced. But overall it seems to lack something. (1832 views)
 Tasted by Shiaxonna on 1/22/2018 & rated 91 points: Closed down after opening. Needed 8 hours to open up. Powerful and succulent. fantastic QPR. (1555 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/14/2011)
(Dom Drouhin Pinot Noir Oregon Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Allen Meadows
Burghound, January 2011, Issue #41
(Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Villages Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Sep/Oct 2010, Issue #29, In Search of California’s New and Old Schools of Terroir
(Pinot Noir- Domaine Drouhin (Oregon)) Login and sign up and see review text.
By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2010, IWC Issue #151
(Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
By William Kelley
Decanter, Oregon Pinot Noir
(Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Burghound and View From the Cellar and Vinous and Decanter. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Domaine Drouhin Oregon

Producer website

Domaine Drouhin has been on the viticultural cutting edge in Oregon since their first vintage in 1988, and continues to set the pace.

Winemaker Véronique Drouhin-Boss' roots go deep into her family's 13th century cellars under the streets of Beaune, the heart of Burgundy. She represents the fourth generation of winemakers from this venerable wine family of France, but it is here in Oregon that her skills and passion are bringing forth some of the most sublime Pinot Noir and Chardonnay produced anywhere. With centuries of Burgundian winemaking experience flowing through her blood, Véronique has lovingly crafted every drop of wine produced at Domaine Drouhin Oregon since the first vintage in 1988.

Véronique Boss-Drouhin

Our winemaker extraordinaire produces elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on both sides of the Atlantic.

Véronique Drouhin-Boss, the fourth-generation winemaker of the Drouhin family, has lovingly crafted every drop of wine produced at Domaine Drouhin Oregon since our first vintage in 1988. She also now oversees the winemaking at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, producing some of the world's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Véronique's interest in wine and the family business began when she was young, and blossomed under the tutelage of father Robert Drouhin. In 1986, she graduated from the University of Dijon with an advanced degree in enology, and decided to venture to Oregon to expand her experience and learn more about the fledgling industry that was beginning to take root in the Willamette Valley. Véronique interned that year with Adelsheim Vineyards, Bethel Heights, and Eyrie. She has returned to Oregon every year since then to capture the essence of what nature provides in our unique estate vineyards.

In many ways, Véronique embodies the essence of Pinot Noir -- spirited, graceful, and feminine. Her wines at Domaine Drouhin have always been hallmarked by elegance, finesse, purity, and the capacity to improve gracefully with age.

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

Oregon

Oregon Wine, Oregon Wineries (Oregon Wine Board)

Willamette Valley

Willamette Valley Wineries Association | Willamette Valley (Oregon Wine Board)
On weinlagen-info including some single vineyards

Willamette Valley Vintage Reviews

Willamette Valley

Willamette Valley Wineries Association | Willamette Valley AVA Wikipedia article

#2012 vintage:
"Broadly speaking, the Willamette Valley's 2012 pinots are fleshy and fruit-dominated, with round tannins and forward personalities. The fruit tends to the darker side of the pinot spectrum--think cherry and blackberry rather than strawberry and raspberry, much less cranberry and redcurrant--and this gives the wines massive crowd appeal. The best wines also have the depth to age, so don't be fooled by their accessible nature in the early going." - Josh Raynolds

#2013 vintage:
"The key to a successful foray into the ‘13s is first to understand that in most instances the wines lean to the red fruit side of Pinot Noir; they tend to be tangy and tightly wound but often lack concentration. While some wines may put on weight and gain sweetness with bottle age, that’s a gamble I’ll personally leave to others. The 2013s also tend to lack the tannic structure for more than mid-term aging although they will likely endure on their acidity, which I suspect will usually outlast the fruit in this vintage" - Josh Raynolds

#2014 vintage:
"The 2014 vintage in Oregon may be remembered as the vintage of a lifetime [for growers] . . . these wines as they will be similar to the 2009 vintage . . . lovely, ripe, rich, deeply concentrated and aromatic" - winebusiness.com
"The conditions made it relatively easy to make good wines, with no worries about achieving ripeness, and the lack of frost risk allowed us to keep grapes on the vine as long as we wished." - Casey McClellan

 
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