2023 Domaine St Laurent Pinot Noir Rogue Valley 750 ml

Oregonians often call the Rogue River Valley “wild.” It’s remote, untamed, and way off the beaten path, which means it’s not on most wine lovers’ radars. It’s almost as close to Napa as it is to Portland, and most visitors come for the gorgeous, unspoiled wilderness.

But as the 2023 Domaine St. Laurent Pinot Noir makes abundantly clear, the wines can be sublime.

Grown on high-elevation vineyards in the region’s rugged hills, this wine marries red-fruit energy and lively acidity with a silky texture and depths of purple flowers, holiday spice, and kola nut. It’s light-bodied with soft tannins, both thought-provoking and eminently approachable, a convincing argument that the Willamette Valley isn’t the only powerhouse Pinot region in Oregon. 

Although the Rogue Valley’s burgeoning reputation is built in part on Rhône varieties, it’s rife with microclimates—and St. Laurent’s hillside vineyards are ideal for producing elegant, vibrant Pinot Noir. It’s an undulating property, with varied exposures and elevations ranging from 1,450 to 1,750 feet above sea level. The climate is cooler here than lower in the valley, but the vineyards still get plenty of sunlight, allowing grapes to develop concentrated fruit flavors and gentle acidity in perfect harmony. 

The Rogue Valley AVA is actually three separate valleys, each featuring an array of metamorphic, sedimentary, and volcanic soils. Running north-south, the valleys get progressively warmer as you venture inland, giving the region suitable climates for a wide range of grapes. Although the Rogue Valley’s reputation rests partially on Rhône varieties, producers in cooler microclimates are crafting Pinot Noirs that are equally profound. 

Showing all the charm, energy, and mystique of the southern Oregon wilds, St. Laurent’s 2023 Pinot is proof.