Evening Land Vineyards La Source Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019

Let me take you to Oregon where Rajat Parr has answered this question, incontestably proving that the best Pinot Noir can be produced outside of Burgundy. Parr is the winemaker/proprietor for somm favorites Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi, and Evening Land Vineyards along with partner/winemaker Sashi Moorman. One of the most respected sommeliers in the country, Parr also is the James Beard award-winning author of the book "Secrets of the Sommeliers: How to Think and Drink Like the World's Top Wine Professionals."  He is in part responsible for the "In Pursuit of Balance" movement that transformed the way wines were made in California, a more elegant, restrained, and balanced style modeled after the wines of Burgundy. After perfecting this model in Santa Barbara wine country with Domaine de la Côte, Parr and Moorman headed north to Oregon to work with the already highly regarded Evening Land Vineyards in Eola-Amity Hills AVA within Willamette Valley, sitting just near the same latitude of Montrachet in Burgundy (45.07° and 46.94° respectively). On this property lies one of Oregon's most celebrated vineyards, Seven Springs, on an east-facing slope in iron-rich, rocky, volcanic soils. And the wines that Parr and Moorman have produced here unequivocally rival the very best Grand Crus of Burgundy. 

The Seven Springs Vineyard is farmed using biodynamic practices and this 100% Pinot Noir comes from the rocky and windy crest of the property. The grapes were hand-harvested and fermentation began with indigenous yeasts in a combination of open-top concrete and oak fermenters. 14-16 months of élevage in barrique is complemented by a wine buoyed by a vibrant acidic backbone. The palate is framed by bright cherry and forest floor accents, which build richness toward the refined tannins. 540 cases produced.