Medium ruby color; strawberry, raspberry on the nose; strawberry, raspberry, chocolate, blackberry, cherry on the palate.
Dry; ripe, concentrated red fruits; three-fifths of the press was whole-cluster fermented (a Broadley hallmark), contributing to more tannins than expected from an Oregon pinot noir, plus smoky spice and hint of earth. It is silky in the mouth with impressive focus and a superb finish. Adroit use of oak—18 months in 20% new French—imparts highlights of espresso and chocolate without even nudging the oak monster.
Craig and Claudia Broadley founded Broadley Vineyards in Monroe, OR in 1981 after traveling to Oregon and falling in love with the region. Today, their son, Morgan and his wife Jessica, manage the operation with the help of their two children, Olivia and Savanna. This effort is named for Morgan’s wife and working partner. The grapes come from a block located in a protected northeast mid-slope on the estate vineyard.
Their website notes: “Our estate vineyard is farmed using sustainable farming practices. We use organic material to promote healthy growth in our vines. Sustainability is a part of our daily life and we believe it is essential for our future.”
The winery is located in what once was a car dealership. Focused only on Oregon pinot noir, the winery produces around 5,000 cases each vintage. The Broadleys believe open-top, wooden fermentation vessels impart richer and deeper complexity. They use whole clusters in the fermentation to add more intensity, structure, and character to the wine. They also train their vines using the lyre trellis system, which splits the canopy into two walls of grapes to give more sun exposure and air flow.
Broadley Vineyards Jessica Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015 is another impressive pinot noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley and from Broadley Vineyards. The effort reflects the Broadley style of ripe, concentrated flavors and classic strawberry and raspberry fruit notes with a hint of chocolate. Pair with roast pork loin or pork tenderloin, turkey, roast chicken; quail, duck; wild game; baked salmon; roast or grilled lobster; mushroom risotto. $39-45
