Tasting: Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, Oregon 🍷
Tonight, we explored Pinot Noir wines with 5 tasters participating! All of the wines were in the same total score range with not a whole lot of difference in total scores combined. Raia was 67, Firesteed was 67, Rainstorm was 65 and the Rascal was 68.
Pinot Noir 🍇 is a delicate, thin-skinned grape known for its light to medium body, red fruit flavors (like cherry 🍒, raspberry 🍓, and strawberry 🍓), floral notes 🌸, earthy undertones 🌿, and subtle spice.
Willamette Valley, Oregon 🇺🇸 is famous for producing Pinot Noirs with bright acidity, red berry flavors, and a silky texture, compared to the heavier, more robust Pinot Noirs of California 🍷🌞 or the rustic, earthy styles of Burgundy, France.
🍇 Wines Tasted (in order: A, B, C, D)
First Wine Tasted: RAIA Pinot Noir
City/State/Country: Dundee, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸
Region: Willamette Valley
Year: 2022
Price: $14.95
Grocery Store: Giant Food
Produced by: Great Oregon Wine Company
Tasting Notes:
Light body 🍃
Cotton candy sweetness 🍬 and tangy acidity 🍋
Peppery finish 🌶️
Nice food pairing wine 🧀🍗
Scores:
Lynn: 18
Scott: 11
5 Combined Tasters' Score: 67
Would Lynn Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Take to a neighborhood party 🎉
Would Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Drink at home 🏠
🍷 Second Wine Tasted: FIRESTEED Pinot Noir
City/State/Country: Quincy, Washington, USA 🇺🇸 (labeled Oregon)
Region: Oregon (label), bottled in Washington
Year: 2022
Price: $13.99
Grocery Store: Giant Food
Produced by: Firesteed Cellars
Tasting Notes:
Raspberry 🍓 and strawberry 🍓 notes
Light Burgundian style 🇫🇷
Higher acidity 🍋
Scores:
Lynn: 10
Scott: 14
5 Combined Tasters' Score: 67
Would Lynn Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Drink at home 🏠
Would Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Take to a neighborhood party 🎉
🍷 Third Wine Tasted: RAINSTORM Pinot Noir
City/State/Country: Rickreall, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸
Region: Willamette Valley
Year: 2022
Price: $15.95
Grocery Store: Giant Food
Produced by: Rainstorm Winery
Tasting Notes:
Peppery yet smooth 🌶️✨
Well-balanced structure ⚖️
Moderate, clean finish 🚶♂️
Scores:
Lynn: 17
Scott: 13
5 Combined Tasters' Score: 65
Would Lynn Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Take to a neighborhood party 🎉
Would Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Take to a neighborhood party 🎉
🍷 Fourth Wine Tasted: RASCAL Pinot Noir
City/State/Country: Dundee, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸
Region: Willamette Valley
Year: 2023
Price: $16.99
Grocery Store: Giant Food
Produced by: Duck Pond Cellars
Tasting Notes:
Floral nose 🌸
Raspberry fruitiness 🍓
Smooth, lighter body 🤏
Very approachable and crowd-pleasing
Scores:
Lynn: 17
Scott: 13
5 Combined Tasters' Score: 68
John was the outlier and would not buy this wine again and gave it a score of 8 !!
Would Lynn Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Take to a neighborhood party 🎉
Would Scott Buy Again? ✅ Yes — Take to a neighborhood party 🎉
🏆 Winning Wine: RASCAL Pinot Noir (Fourth Wine Tasted)! 🏆
Highest Combined Score: 68 🏅
Why It Won:
Smooth, fruit-forward, and highly approachable 🍷✨
Subtle floral notes 🌸 and a balanced, easy-drinking style
Perfect for both casual sipping and parties 🎉
Both Lynn and Scott agreed it’s a party-worthy wine!
