The Wines of WillaKenzie Estate

2008 Pinot Blanc

Winereviewonline.com
"Pinot Blanc can be vapid and boring. Not this one. Fuller than most, this lovely example has a stone fruit kind of richness balanced and invigorated by lively acidity in the finish. It's an excellent choice as an aperitif that could easily be carried to the table to match with grilled fish, a seafood stew or even roast chicken."
Michael Apstein, February 9, 2010

WINE ENTHUSIAST - 91 POINTS
"This is a truly lovely, elegant Pinot Blanc, from a winery that has a fine handle on the grape. Scents of lemongrass and grapefruit run headlong into delicate, evocative fruit flavors of melon, gooseberry, lime and stone fruits. Though quite dry and tart, it has so much complexity that it never turns sour."
Paul Gregutt, Dec. 15, 2009 issue

The Tasting Panel - 90 POINTS
"Smooth with a bit of citrus and some lovely, lush flavors; creamy, rich and completely charming."
Anothony Dias Blue, October 2009

2008 Pinot Gris

Wine & Spirits - 91 POINTS
"Leesy and bright, this forward gris leads with aromas of ripe apple and peach, accented by a bit of nutmeg spice. Its flavors are bright and broad at once; the texture is mouth filling and rich, yet the wine retains a fresh, focused line from lively acidity." February 2010

Wine Spectator - 90 POINTS, The Value Diaries
"For the past year, I've been on a mission to seek out wines made from organic, biodynamic or sustainably farmed grapes. I look for the new Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine logo, now on 2008 whites and to be seen with more frequency on the 2008 Pinot Noirs coming this spring. For Pinot Gris, producers such as WillaKenzie make good quantities for $20 or less."
Dana Nigro, WS Senior Editor, Jan. 31 - Feb 28, 2010

Wine Spectator - 90 POINTS, Top Value
Harvey Steiman's Recommended Wines From Oregon
Jan. 31 - Feb. 28, 2010

The New York Times, Tasting Report: Oregon Pinot Gris
"juicy and herbaceous, with spicy, mineral flavors."
Eric Asimov, February 3, 2010

Wine Spectator - 90 POINTS, SMART BUY
“This bright, juicy white offers flavors of pineapple and melon that persist into the finish, which is long and vivid.”
Harvey Steiman, November 9, 2009

Wine News - 91 POINTS
"Pale gold with lime green glints. Floral and green fruit aromas... Flavors of crisp green apple and pear... Displays an appealing softness in the medium finish." - Tom Hyland, Fall 2009

2007 Gamay Noir

Wine and Spirits - 90 Points
"Sappy, peppery and tinged with the barest scent of rye, this has generous dark plum flavors that are deep and chewy. The earthy intensity will match grilled lamb."

2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

WINE SPECTATOR - 89 POINTS
"Smooth in texture and vibrant in flavor, offering a soft mouthful of ripe blackberry and plum flavors, finishing with a smoky edge." December 15, 2008

Winner of the SANTE MAGAZINE GOLD STAR Award - recognizing wines of exceptional merit as chosen by restaurant professionals.

2007 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvee

WALL STREET JOURNAL - 11-04-2009
DOROTHY J. GAITER AND JOHN BRECHER
"Light but complete. Good Pinot flavors in a very drinkable package. Bright fruit and light enough to complement everything on the table without adding yet another big taste. This really tastes like the fruit of the harvest—something that grew in the earth, under the sun—and therefore is quite appropriate to a Thanksgiving meal."

NEW YORK TIMES - BEST VALUE
Eric Asimov - 9-02-09
"Creamy texture, restrained flavors of cherries and raspberries."

The 2007 growing year was cool and rainy. Those producers who met the challenge were largely able to make balanced wines with moderate levels of alcohol and a lot of freshness, which comes from good acidity.

2007 Pinot Noir Kiana

WINE SPECTATOR - 89 POINTS
"There's a bite of tannins around the fresh plum and currant fruit, with a transparency to the flavors that persists on the long, refined finish." January 15, 2010

2007 Pinot Noir Emery

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 90 POINTS
"Bright red. Aromas of candied red and dark berries complicated by dusty rose and violet. Juicy and taut on entry, then gains flesh and sweetness in the mid-palate, displaying sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and a jolt of Asian spices. The brisk finish offers lingering dark berry sweetness and an echo of candied flowers. This is approachable now but has the freshness to be stashed away for a few more years." - Joshua Raynolds - July/August 2010

Wine Spectator Online - 90 POINTS
"Light and fragrant, with a pleasant waxy edge to the cherry and blackberry flavors, lingering on the refined, expressive finish."
- Harvey Steinman November 6, 2009

Wine Spectator - 90 POINTS
"Light and fragrant, with a pleasant waxy edge to the cherry and blackberry flavors, lingering on the refined, expressive finish."
- Harvey Steinman January 15, 2010

2007 Pinot Noir Terres Basses

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 90 Points
"Bright ruby-red. Mineral-driven aromas of blackcurrant, cherry and rhubarb, with a deeper note of cured tobacco in the background. Pungent dark fruit and bitter cherry flavors gain sweetness and expand with air, taking on a faintly smoky character. Finishes with a refreshing bite of bitter fruit skin and juicy persistence." - Joshua Raynolds - July/August 2010

Wine Spectator Online
"Light and spicy, with a nice mineral note weaving through the raspberry and cherry flavors, and a delicate finish."
Harvey Steimen, 2009

2007 Pinot Noir Triple Black Slopes

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 91 Points
"Ruby-red. Powerful, complex bouquet displays scents of black raspberry, mulberry and potpourri, with deeper mocha and licorice qualities coming up with aeration. Sweet, palate-coating dark berry flavors are complemented by suggestions of candied rose and lavender, with some vanillin oak spice turning up on the sweet, lingering back end. Quite rich for the vintage." - Joshua Raynolds - July/August 2010

Wine Spectator Online
"Firm and lightweight, with a crisp core of dark cherry and tar flavors, finishing with clarity."
Harvey Steiman, 2009