2019 SOM State of Mind LS Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley Oregon

The 2019 SOM State of Mind LS Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from the 66-acre L.S. Vineyard in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills, a site named for Master Sommelier Larry Stone. The vineyard sits on Lone Star Road beside the renowned Seven Springs and Lone Star vineyards, with Jory, Jory-Geldermann and Nekia soils, eastern exposure, morning sun, cooling winds, 12–20% slopes and excellent drainage. SOM approaches its wines as a collaboration between sommeliers, winemakers and vignerons rather than as the expression of a single winemaker. The 2019 Pinot Noir was produced in a tiny quantity of just 300 cases.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the wine uses a relatively hands-off approach that includes 25% whole-cluster fermentation and concrete fermentation, followed by aging in 100% new French oak from Tonnellerie Damy. The result balances bright red fruit with earthy and floral character, showing cherry, raspberry, rose petal, forest floor and baking spice, with a silky texture and fresh acidity. Its combination of a highly regarded Eola-Amity Hills vineyard, small production and distinctive collaborative winemaking makes this a particularly interesting Oregon Pinot Noir for customers looking for something beyond a mainstream Willamette Valley bottling.