2015 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Premier Cuvee Willamette Valley 750 ml

One of the Top Wines of the 95-Point Vintage

For more than two decades, Archery Summit has been a leader in the Willamette Valley. Robert Parker called it “an impressive winery”—the first in Oregon to build a gravity-fed facility. The 2015 Pinot Noir Premier Cuvée demonstrates the results of this pioneering, non-interventionist approach, offering up an incredible level of ripe, juicy, red fruit purity. The deft touch of winemaker Ian Burch, who cut his teeth under Burgundy legend Dominique Lafon at Rajat Parr’s Evening Lands, is evident in this 2015’s seamless, well-rounded blend of fruit from all six of Archery Summit’s estate vineyards. A striking and faithful translation of Wine Spectator’s 95-point 2015 vintage in Oregon, the Premier Cuvée was praised by Wine Advocate who hailed, “perfumed red berry flavors,” and a “silken texture.” $54 on release. Just $39.99 today on Wine Access, while 480 bottles last.

The phenomenal 2015 growing season in Oregon largely mirrored 2014, with one major exception—above-average temperatures in the spring allowed for early bloom and exceptional fruit-set, which led to an early harvest overall. Wine Spectator predicted that it “could be the state’s most extraordinary vintage,” reporting that “there’s no precedent for a vintage exactly like this in Oregon.”

At Archery Summit, fruit was hand-harvested from the estate vineyards in Dundee Hills and Ribbon Ridge between September 10th and 23rd. Pinot Noir came off the vine in perfectly ripe, tight-fisted clusters. The tiny berries boasted immense concentration, thick skins, and deep purple hues.

In the cellar, Burch opted to age the wine in 28 percent new oak barrels, imparting a kiss of dark chocolate to juicy red fruit notes and floral aromatics. The richness of the monumental 2015 vintage is present in spades as is the polish and finesse characteristic of Archery Summit Pinots.