A cool vintage overall, with a later, cooler spring leading to a summer with modest heat. As the fruit closed in on maturity a series of rainstorms came through slowing sugar accumulation, refreshing vines, and creating a cooler finish to the growing season. Wines are very pretty, and quite transparent in nature. While I envision them adding a bit of weight, I feel the 2019 vintage is perfect for those who love ethereal wines. Low alcohol and of modest extract, I see them as excellent 5-12 year old bottles, with a few exceptions that seem destined for being at their best as 10-20 year old wines.
The Pinot Noirs are in an early phase and I recommend holding all but the Willamette Valley. While some of the wines are still exceptional, all have significant upside with waiting to drink them. Highlights, if you have to open a bottle, include the Heritage No. 16 Lewman vineyard, the Block 8 Fir Crest, and the Whistling Ridge. Wines that should see significant upside in a shorter period would be the Durant and Fir Crest bottlings. Longer time for the Heritage wines, Pumphouse Block, and Long Acre bottlings.
2019 was a monster year for Chardonnay and all of the 2019s are drinking really well but nowhere near going past prime. The Durant is strong out of the gate while the Temperance Hill and Whistling Ridge bottlings open up with time. The Richard’s Cuvee is the one wine I would say has enough upside to pass on opening a bottle in the near term. Other bottlings like the 2019 Dundee Hills and Willamette Valley are in perfect spots for opening now.
The Whistling Ridge Pinot Gris is also a fantastic bottle, as is the Riesling from the same vineyard. Both are going strong but have no fear of opening either.