Domaine Drouhin, Pinot Noir

Alcohol percentage: 14%

Area:
Oregon is north of (and therefore cooler than) California. It has proved itself an exciting source of Burgundian style Pinot Noir (though, strangely, less so with Chardonnay). As in Burgundy, vintage variation, is huge; summers are dry but temperatures vary enormously. Vineyards are invariably organically (or at least ‘sustainably’) operated. The best results are outstanding, if inevitably expensive.

Grape variety:
100% Pinot Noir, matured for a year in French oak (20% new).

Producer:
Joseph Drouhin is an important family-owned producer based in Beaune. Current patriarch Robert and his daughter Véronique decided to set up a winery in Oregon, well before the area was fashionable, producing their first vintage in 1988.

Old Bridge rating:
Brighter and richer than many an Oregon Pinot. Pure and delicate now, this will get better and better over the next five years.