Yamhill-Carlton's sedimentary soils are the marine bones of the Willamette, and Todd Alexander, who left Napa for Washington and kept a hand in Oregon Pinot anyway, reads them here in the blue-black register rather than the red. Apocrypha comes in brambly and floral, dried sage and thyme threading through the fruit, with higher acid and more power than its sibling Memorialis. Sustainably farmed, structurally serious, and unmistakably Oregon. This is Pinot with muscle, not just perfume.
Tasting Notes
Apocrypha Pinot Noir tends to showcase the blue and black end of the fruit spectrum, along with a brambly, floral, dried sage and thyme profile, higher acid than the Memorialis and more power.
Professional Ratings
96
Jeb DunnuckComing from more volcanic, south-facing soils, the 2018 Pinot Noir Apocrypha was 15% destemmed and will see 16 months in 20% new barrels. It’s a slightly darker-hued and darker fruited effort offering lots of blue fruits, iron, violets, and mineral aromatics. While it was basically not destemmed, there are no obvious stems on either the nose or palate, and it’s beautifully balanced, has bright aci
About the Producer
By now, everyone knows that the Willamette Valley is an amazing place to grow Pinot Noir. When Todd Alexander relocated from Napa Valley to partner up with Force Majeure Vineyards, he knew he also wanted to start a project where he could focus attention on a varietal and growing region that he loved. Part of the excitement of being in the Pacific Northwest is the ability to have access to so many amazing vineyards and so much diversity, along with the opportunity to push boundaries and try new things – something that is becoming increasingly difficult in other growing regions.
