2018 Patton Valley Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 750 ml

Around Portland, Patton Valley Pinot Noir seemed to show up in all of our favorite places. 

That’s because the smart somms know: Patton Valley delivers just as much sappy red fruit and complexity as some of the biggest names in Oregon Pinot, at a fraction of the price. 

Their 2018 Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley—which comes from Wine Advocate’s top-rated Oregon vintage of all time, which they called “Extraordinary”—hangs in elite company, carrying the same Vinous score as 2018 Beaux-Frères ($60) and 2018 Domaine Serene Côte Sud ($125).

Patton Valley Vineyards was founded in 1995, and planted in 1997 by Monte Pitt and business partner David Chen. It’s in the northwest corner of the Willamette Valley AVA, north of Yamhill-Carlton. After the vineyard’s recent sale to Ehren Jordan, the brand and wine library were purchased by two employees: Derek Einberger, Winemaker, and Justina Bice, Direct Sales Manager.

Patton Valley’s superb track record is largely thanks to Einberger, a second-generation winemaker who learned his craft at Vietti in Barolo, Silver Oak & Twomey in Sonoma, and Joseph Phelps in St. Helena. He’s the co-founder of Imbue Vermouth and the son of Ray Einberger, something of a legend in Washington winemaking. 

In 2018, Derek fashioned such a fleshy, low-acid, crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir, just packed with creamy red fruit. Its Stelvin closure will keep it nice and fresh for years to come.