King Estate
King Estate is nestled in the bucolic Lorane Valley about 150 kilometers south of the better known Pinot Noir growing region around Dundee and Yamhill-Carlton in the northern Willamette Valley. Although farther to the south, King Estate lies closer to the cool breezes of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a slightly cooler climate that renders an elegant and crisp style of wine. The manor house-style winery atop the estate's central hill commands an Arcadian view of the 1,033 acre estate surrounded by pastures and ringed by forested mountains, and a first time visitor gets the sense of stepping back into a simpler time, when the rhythm of life was intimately connected with the turn of the seasons and the bounty of the earth. The certified organic vineyards are planted mainly to Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris and are interspersed with fruit tree orchards, gardens of flowers, vegetables, and berries. There is even an apiary and a charcuterie. But while this manorial setting evokes a self contained community from yesteryear, this is at the same time a very modern place. State of the art winemaking equipment and techniques are employed along with the latest sustainable and organic farming practices, and a world class culinary program brings it all together beautifully in the Estate's restaurant. The pure yet sophisticated wines are natural companions to fine foods. Wine professionals agree: King Estate Pinot Gris has been the #1 on premise domestic Pinot Gris in the U.S. for the last four years running.
| Website | www.kingestate.com/ |
|---|---|
| Address | 80854 Territorial Hwy, Eugene, 97405 |
| Wine Maker | Brent Stone |
| Country | America |
| Region | Oregon |
| Appellation | Willamette Valley, Oregon |
From this Winery
Early in our 30-year history, King Estate established a reputation for Willamette Valley Pinot Gris that continues to this day. The Willamette Valley – and our cool climate, high elevation site in particular – is ideally suited for growing Pinot Gris grapes. Made with the finest fruit from our own estate and our like-minded vineyard partners, this wine reflects a commitment to sustainable farming practices in each bottle.
TASTING NOTES
Classic hallmarks of Pinot Gris appear on the nose with aromas of ripe pear, lime zest, peach, honeysuckle and lemon blossom. The wine starts off nice and round on the palate with ripe fruit flavors of Asian pear, key lime and nectarine accompanied by jasmine and damp slate. The entrance is followed by bright acidity that carries through to a fresh, balanced and lingering finish.
The Willamette Valley is increasingly being recognized as a premier growing region for Chardonnay, the country’s most popular white wine. Tracing its origins to Burgundy, France – which like Oregon lies along the 45th parallel – Chardonnay grown in a cooler climate like ours is distinguished by its medium body, showcasing a nice acidity with flavors tending to the tart notes of green apple and pear.
This wine from clones 76 and 95 is versatile and food friendly. Aromatics and flavors are of yellow pear, lemon oil, wet stone, toast, allspice and apple skin. A round and complex entrance with bright acidity left over from partial malolactic fermentation provides freshness and crisp minerality on the mid-palate. On the finish, light oak aging provides structure and spice while the acidity carries over for a long and satisfying finish.
Fruit from our own Biodynamic® estate is carefully blended with that of other like-minded vineyard partners to make our flagship Pinot Noir from a strong Oregon vintage. With this wine, discover why Oregon’s reputation for outstanding Willamette Valley Pinot Noir grows stronger over time.
TASTING NOTES
This is a beautifully complex wine with elegant fruit and structure. Classic Pinot Noir aromas and flavors of dark fruit – black raspberry, marionberry, blueberry and ripe dark cherry – are joined by accents of black tea, clove, vanilla, toast, orange zest and forest floor. Supple tannins and bright acidity on the palate lead to a coating finish with lingering spiciness.
WINEMAKING PROCESS
Whole clusters are destemmed then allowed to cold oak for 48 hours with daily pump overs. Some whole clusters are left intact in select lots for additional complexity. During fermentation, 10% of juice is bled off using the Saignée method for further concentration of flavor and color. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel open top tanks with daily punch downs. Aged in French oak barrels for 10 months.
VINTAGE NOTES
The Pacific Northwest experienced a relatively warm winter with below average precipitation. Dry conditions did not abate until September and October, making 2021 one of the driest growing seasons on record and adding to ongoing drought worries. The growing season started out cool, followed by wide fluctuations in temperatures in April and May. The most significant weather event came in late June when a heat dome settled over the region for three days, breaking all-time temperature records by as much as 10 degrees. Fortunately, plant growth was far enough along that damage was minimal. The growing season remained warm into October. Harvest produced very good to exceptional fruit quality.
The nose comes alive with aromas of key lime, orange blossom, white peach, wet stone and wildflower. Up front the wine is round and luscious with balanced acidity building on the mid-palate, bringing out complex and exotic flavors of lychee, kumquat and pear. Hints of key lime, peach skin, lemon tart and brioche enhance the experience. The finish is focused and elegant.
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In the glass the nose picks up dried rose petal and violets, raspberry and cherry, and clove, black tea and slate. Round and seamless as it enters the mouth, the mid-palate has balanced weight and richness while maintaining lean tannins and acidity – characteristics that define wines from the King Estate vineyard. This wine will benefit from cellar aging. Enjoy now and through 2028.