Crowley Wines "Sojeau" Pinot Noir '21

Tyson Crowley of Crowley Wines may be a newer name to many wine drinkers, but he is no upstart. He has worked in the business for many years, including a stint as assistant winemaker at Cameron Winery, in the Dundee area of the Willamette Valley, for five years. It was there, in 2005, that he made his first four barrels of wine. A couple years later, he moved to the August Cellars Studio, and he now makes a total of about 85 barrels of excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir annually.

“Sojeau vineyard sits at 650 feet elevation at the southwest end of the Eola-Amity AVA. The site, previously a cherry orchard, was purchased by Denny and T in 2007. They planted 15 Acres of Pinot Noir vines on the 51 acre property – Pommard, Dijon and Wadenswil. The Pommard makes up 50% of the Pinot vines, while Dijon 115 and Wadenswil make up the other 50%. 

This wine opens with bold aromas of dried raspberries and cacao powder. Dusty scents morph into graphite, sage and plum as the wine opens up. On the palate, the wine drinks surprisingly lithe and light with flavors of lingonberry, plum preserve and RC Cola. The finish is long with acidity and fine tannins supporting one another in balanced tension. This wine is young and fun to drink now, but will also benefit from a few years of cellaring.”