Domaine Drouhin Roserock Pinot Noir Zéphirine Eola-Amity Hills 2019

Just 25 miles down the road from their Domaine Drouhin estate (and a cool 8,250 from their Maison Drouhin estate in Beaune), the Drouhin family purchased the Roserock property in 2013. Set on a south-facing hill in the extreme southern edge of Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills AVA, this gorgeous estate is 305 sprawling acres – with 122 acres planted to vine. Pinot noir is king here – planted on 111 acres with 35 distinct blocks of the grape.

This blend is comprised of the finest barrels from the estate and is named for the fragrant “Zéphirine Drouhin” variety of thornless climbing roses. Quite fittingly, the dark-ruby Zéphirine pinot has an intense perfume of red roses, with violets, wild strawberries, hibiscus, clove, and cocoa powder. Over 140 years of world-class winemaking is clearly on display, with profound complexity and ethereal elegance found in every corner of this scintillating pinot noir.

During the growing season, cool ocean breezes are funneled along the Van Duzer Corridor through Oregon’s Coast Range every evening, moderating the heat of this part of the Eola-Amity Hills and making the area more than ten degrees cooler than the northern Willamette Valley. These maritime winds make for lively acidity and distinct freshness in the fruit, producing delicate and fresh flavors. The Roserock soils are based on ancient lava flows that have decomposed into volcanic basalt soils that are fast-draining and incredibly rocky. The block partitioning of the vineyard allows for slight variations in soil consistency, angle, and aspect to be reflected in the flavors and characteristics of each block, providing an opportunity for each section to be selected for this top cuvee – changing from year to year.

This stands as one of the best Oregon pinots we’ve tasted in some time, and we’re thrilled to have some to share with you. Not as much as we would like, of course, so do all that you can to grab some of these before they’re gone. We promise you won’t regret it!

PAIRING IDEAS: Duck, of course! Watch this quick video on how to cook the perfect duck breast, thin out some nice plum jam with some chicken stock and red wine, bring that to a simmer and serve it all with some roasted vegetables. Viola!

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: My wife suggested this, and pretty much nailed it… Brandi Carlile with “The Story”.