2014 Andrew Rich Wines Pinot Noir Verbatim Willamette Valley 750 ml

The 2014 Andrew Rich’s “Quite Energetic” Burgundian Appeal

Andrew Rich is one of the most brilliant and inventive Pinot Noir makers in Willamette Valley. But unlike many of his neighbors, Rich’s ingenuity wasn’t nurtured in the Dundee Hills or Ribbon Ridge, but in the high-energy bustle of Manhattan.

At a young age, Rich caught the wine bug, and latched on with a national publication as a critic and reviewer. Soon after Andrew met the iconoclastic Randall Grahm, he packed up and moved to Santa Cruz, where he’d spend six years honing his winemaking skills at Bonny Doon Vineyard.

In 1994, utterly enthralled by the potential of cool-climate Willamette Valley, Andrew packed up a second time, leaving the Santa Cruz Mountains for Oregon. Initially, Rich continued to focus his attention on Rhône varieties, but by the mid-2000s, having searched out and contracted for select rows of handpicked vineyards, Rich began turning out small lots of richly textured, wild-berry Pinot Noirs that drew raves from the critics.

In those days, for every solid Pinot Noir vintage, Rich said there seemed to be three or four meager ones. While the excellent years buoyed his spirits, low yields and unpredictable weather patterns kept poking holes in tattered P&L statements.

All that changed in 2008, when the valley was blessed with a marvelous Indian summer that gave birth to deep, dark Pinot Noirs of great complexity and precision. Then came 2010, a more elegant but equally enchanting harvest. Finally, with the highly acclaimed 2012 campaign closely followed by the sensational 2014, the Willamette Valley has fully delivered on its promise of the early 1990s.

A buying tip: Over the past few months we’ve offered some excellent Willamette Pinot Noirs from the 2014 vintage — a vintage Antonio Galloni’s Vinous, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and Wine Spectator have suggested may prove finer than the great 2012. As we’ve been told over the years by Oregon pioneers such as Laurent Montalieu, Dick Erath, Lynn Penner-Ash, and Bernie Lacroute, the finest bargain Pinot Noir in the world in the best vintages comes from the Willamette Valley. If you can find under-$35 bottlings from the top producers in these vintages, snap them up quickly. And under-$30? Stock your cellars by the case. This kind of balance between New World opulence and Old World restraint is phenomenal.

Andrew Rich’s 2014 Pinot Noir “Verbatim” Willamette Valley is vivid ruby in hue, with gorgeous aromas of ripe red cherry, sweet spice, and very gently touched with cedar. Concentrated with mouthwatering Russian River-like texture, filled with red- and black-fruit preserves and spices, finishing with textbook Burgundian vibrancy so typical of the finest Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs. Drink now for its more primary-fruit hedonism or lay down until the early 2020s. This is another sophisticated, top-notch value from Andrew Rich.

The 2014 “Verbatim” and its “quite energetic” depiction of the vintage earned 92 points from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous. As close to Grand Cru Burgundy as Willamette comes but at a hugely competitive price: $35 on release, just $27/bottle today. Shipping included on 4 or more.