News & Reviews
New 2022 Vintage Reviews from International Wine Report
Posted on April 22, 2024 in Reviews
2022 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
92 points
Easy drinking and downright delicious, the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Ken Wright sports a light to medium ruby core with a blueish rim. Aromatics of ripe blueberries, licorice root, crushed leaves, blood orange, and bitter herbs show more complexity and depth than they should at this price point. Rounded and medium to full-bodied, with a silky smooth mouthfeel, plush tannins, and a sporty bitter herb finish complete the wine. 2024-2030. Purchase this wine.
2022 Eola-Amity Hills AVA Pinot Noir
93 points
A bright transparent ruby core with a blue rim, the 2022 Eola-Amity Pinot Noir from Ken Wright gifts notes of mountain huckleberries, crushed black cherries, black licorice, bitter herbs, and lime zest. Medium-bodied in texture, it finishes with lovely tannins, elevated acidity, and a blue fruited note on the mid-palate. 2024-2032. Purchase this wine.
2022 Yamhill-Carlton AVA Pinot Noir
92 points
A jeweled light ruby core with a light brick rim, the 2022 Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir from Ken Wright is lush with earthy aromas of dried thyme and dusty country road alongside fruity notes of lemon zest, black cherries, and red currants. It’s medium-bodied, with fine-grained tannins, lemony acidity, and a long finish. 2024-2032. Purchase this wine.
2022 Bonnie Jean Vineyard Pinot Noir
95 points
With a saturated red-ruby core with a neon purple rim in the glass, the 2022 Bonnie Jean Pinot Noir from Ken Wright gleams a bouquet of fresh purple flowers, sweet clove, black and red cherries, sweet tobacco leaf, and cedary herbs. I loved the sweet black cherry finish with a touch of grilled herbs that sits on the back palate. Full-bodied, it’s incredibly balanced with mature tannins that take on a youthful hold through the finish. 2025-2034.
(Sold out on Ken Wright Cellars bottle shop)
2022 Savoya Vineyard Pinot Noir
94 points
With a glistening medium ruby-brick core with a light pink rim, the 2022 Savoya Vineyard Pinot Noir is ripe with toasty spice, freshly crushed red cherries, pomegranate seeds, sweet vanilla, white chocolate, and wild forest herbs. Full-bodied, it’s a touch spicy on the palate, with notes of white pepper and ripe tannins that expand perfectly on the palate. Still a baby, so give it another year in the cellar. 2025-2034. Purchase this wine.
2022 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
96 points
Another stunning wine from master winemaker Ken Wright, this one coming from the famed Shea vineyard. It pours a bright, shimmering ruby core with a silvery rim in the glass. Rich notes of fresh strawberries, crushed raspberries, sweet vanilla beans, crushed red flowers, and shades of milk chocolate give way to elegant tannins, medium acidity, and a blue-fruit and white pepper finish. Medium to full-bodied with a crisp texture, it fills the palate with ripe tannins that expand wonderfully from start to finish. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. 2024-2034. Purchase this wine.
2022 Canary Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
96 points
Another stunning wine by legend winemaker Ken Wright, this one the 2022 Canary Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir presents a gorgeous medium blue-ruby core with a glistening neon ruby rim. More elegant and encompassing than its siblings, it’s brooding with aromas of crushed huckleberries, blueberry compote, sweet Christmas spice, Early Gray tea, and grilled lemon peel. Medium-bodied, it maintains great power and purity, with supple, rounded tannins and a brisk lift on the finish. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. 2024-2034.
(Sold out on Ken Wright Cellars bottle shop)
2022 Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir
95 points
A youthful deep neon blue-ruby core with a light pink rim, the 2022 Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir from Ken Wright improves with a little air after opening and exposes aromas of dusty road, crushed marionberries, dried strawberries, toasted vanilla bean, and a touch of grilled meat that adds complexity and makes it extremely interesting. It’s an intricate wine on the nose and palate that seems to morph over time in the glass. It’s savory and spicy on the finish, with a lot of saline shining through. 2024-2034.
(Sold out on Ken Wright Cellars bottle shop)
2022 & 2021 Vintage Reviews from Jeb Dunnuck
Posted on March 25, 2024 in Reviews
New Reviews from Jeb Dunnuck in recent article:
2021 Willamette Valley and Oregon Round Up Activity
Click to view article online (must be a subscriber for full article)
2022 Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Blanc- 91 points
2022 Canary Hill Vineyard Rosé- 91 points
2021 Bryce Vineyard Pinot Noir- 97 points
2021 McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir- 96 points
2021 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir- 96 points
WineBusiness Monthly to Honor Three of the Industry’s Top Leaders at Annual Wine Industry Financial Symposium Dinner
Posted on October 20, 2023 in PressOct 17, 2023
NAPA, CA — WineBusiness Monthly, the industry’s leading publication for wineries and growers, will honor three of the wine industry’s most influential and inspiring players at the WineBusiness Leadership Dinner, held Tuesday, November 14 at the CIA Copia in the Napa Valley. For more information on the symposium, please visit www.wineindustryfinancial.com.
The Wine Industry Financial Symposium Leadership Dinner celebrates those individuals who have made positive differences at their companies and in the wine community. Each year, WineBusiness Monthly names their Wine Industry Leaders in the November issue of the publication, and this dinner will honor a select few who have made the greatest strides in contributing to the wine industry’s collective success.
This year, WineBusiness Monthly is honoring David Duncan, proprietor, chairman and CEO af Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars; Emma Swain, CEO of St. Supery; and Ken Wright, proprietor and winemaker for Ken Wright Cellars. To obtain tickets, email info@wbmevents.com.
David Duncan
As proprietor/chairman and CEO of Silver Oak & Twomey Cellars, Duncan has been the driving force behind so much of the company’s growth and move toward sustainability. In 2015, Silver Oak purchased The Oak Cooperage in Higbee, Missouri to make Silver Oak the first North American winery to own and operate an American oak barrel cooperage. Just two years later, Silver Oak built a new winery in Alexander Valley, one that uses cutting-edge technologies and achieved Platinum LEED certification. All this, and Silver Oak & Twomey Cellars is well-known within the North Coast as a great place to work, and has partnered with The Veraison Project to bring new faces to the wine industry through a year-long apprenticeship program.
Duncan was chairman of the NVV Board in 2015 and co-chaired Auction Napa Valley in 2014 – it’s highest-grossing year. In 2008 David and his brother Tim also co-chaired the NVV’s Premiere Napa Valley, a wine auction for the trade. He served as board member and past Chairman of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation; in 2016 his fundraising efforts led to a banner year for the St. Helena Hospital Gala.
Emma Swain
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery CEO Emma Swain has more than 25 years of experience in the wine industry. She started in finance, becoming a certified public accountant before joining Niebaum-Coppola Winery, working with the team to reunify the historic Inglenook properties. She then worked at Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery for 13 years as COO and helped reposition the fourth-generation family winery from its high-volume table wine to one of a respected high-quality producer. Swain joined St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery and became CEO in 2009; during her tenure the winery has undergone a transformation in quality with extensive investments in the vineyard, winery and technology.
Swain is a current board member of Visit Napa Valley, the Wine Market Council and Napa Valley Vintners, having previously served a chair of the NVV, and continues supporting numerous local non-profits.
Ken Wright
In 1986, Ken Wright moved to McMinnville and started Panther Creek Cellars. His concept of focusing on vineyard-designate bottling began during those years and was cemented as a core philosophy in 1994 when Ken Wright Cellars was founded in historic downtown Carlton. Ken now makes a single vineyard bottling from 13 vineyard sites and is known as a pioneer of Oregon Pinot Noir.
Ken and Karen continue to invest in their communities of Carlton and Yamhill through countless hours of non-profit volunteerism. The dynamic duo are also founding members of ¡Salud! A program that provides healthcare for the seasonal vineyard and winery workers. Their philanthropy & commitment to Oregon wine was recognized when there were announced as 2012’s Oregon Wine People of the Year.
For more information about the Wine Industry Leadership Dinner and the Wine Industry Financial Symposium, visit www.wineindustryfinancial.com.
High Scores from Wine Enthusiast
Posted on June 29, 2023 in ReviewsWe have been honored with the following scores from Wine Enthusiast on our 2021 AVA Series Pinot noir!
2021 Eola-Amity Hills AVA Pinot Noir
95 points
“This is a Goldilocks special, because the fruit, alcohol, acidity and tannins are just right. Rainier cherry and lavender aromas are joined by smaller notes of leather and a new cedar chest drawer. The wine’s cassis, orange pith and smoky Lapsang souchong tea flavors float on a soft, smooth texture. Editors Choice.” — Michael Alberty, WE
2021 Yamhill-Carlton AVA Pinot Noir
92 points
“Tangy boysenberries and raspberries mingle on the nose with aromas of cinnamon spice and orange zest. The medium-bodied wine’s strawberry pie, fresh basil and balsa flavors are supported by silky tannins and lemony acidity. Balanced refreshment.” — Michael Alberty, WE
New 2021 Vintage Reviews from Wine Spectator
Posted on May 12, 2023 in Reviews
We have been honored with the following scores released by the Wine Spectator on a selection of our 2021 vintage single vineyard Pinot noir! The tasting notes below were crafted by Tim Fish, the senior editor at Wine Spectator.
2021 Bonnie Jean Vineyard Pinot Noir
94 points
Refined and polished, with elegantly structured raspberry, fresh violet, sandalwood and other dusky spices, finishing with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. 679 cases made.— Tim Fish, WS
2021 Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir
94 points
Graceful and polished, with multilayered cherry and blueberry flavors that take on cinnamon and fresh earth accents. Ends with refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 667 cases made.— Tim Fish, WS
2021 Latchkey Vineyard Pinot Noir
92 points
Snappy with tension and lively acidity, this red bursts with raspberry, cherry blossom and spice flavors that glide toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 390 cases made.— Tim Fish, WS
2021 McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir
93 points
Well-sculpted and expressive, with detailed raspberry, pomegranate, orange peel and dusky spice flavors that gather richness and tension on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 538 cases made. — Tim Fish, WS
2021 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
93 points
Handsomely structured and detailed, with expressive rose petal, raspberry and blueberry-and orange-tinged tea accents that build tension toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. 1,432 cases made. — Tim Fish, WS