Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Dundee Hills (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Pinot Noir 2014

($42):  The Drouhin family, with their rich traditions and deep roots in Burgundy, made history in Oregon — and quite a stir back in Beaune — by creating Domaine Drouhin Oregon thirty years ago.  Since then, other Burgundy producers have followed, but Drouhin was the first of the French to recognize the extraordinary potential in Oregon for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Drouhin’s Oregon wines have just gotten better and better as the vines have matured, winemaker Véronique Drouhin has gained experience with the wines, and her brother Philippe, the viticulturist, with the vineyards.  This is their “basic” bottling, but in truth, nothing Drouhin does, either in Oregon or in Burgundy is “basic.” It delivers pure fresh fruit flavors and earth tones without being “fruity.”  A pretty wine, the Drouhin signature — a silky texture and refined delicacy — is on display. 92 Michael Apstein Oct 24, 2017