Medium ruby color; tart raspberry, black cherry, plum, boysenberry, baking spice, forest floor, black tea on the nose and palate.
Dry; amiable, polished tannins and acidity. Medium body. Smooth, elegant, wisely avoids over-fruitiness and high alcohol. Excellent example for Willamette Valley pinot noir quality, a click above their Estate Pinot Noir, although both are fine efforts. Nicely focused on well-behaved fruit, subtle oak; lingering, genteel finish. 13.8% ABV
Owner Bill Stoller is the founder and CEO of The Stoller Group, also the president and vice-chairman of Express Employment Professionals, and founder and CEO at Xenium HR & Employer Services. A native Oregonian, Stoller holds a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Pacific University and an MBA from Portland State University. His considerable successes in employment services allowed him to pursue his passion for wine.
Stoller founded Stoller Vineyards in 2001. Their winery opened in 2006 as Oregon’s first LEED-certified, solar-powered, gravity-flow operation. Its drive for sustainability earned the winery the world’s first LEED gold certification. The winery is dedicated to producing pinot noir and chardonnay.
Winemaker Melissa Burr has been at Stoller since 2003. Burr says the challenge at Stoller is to control the vigor of the site in order to concentrate flavors. She strongly believes acidity plays a key role in balance and flavor, and this effort reflects that belief. The Dundee Hills are located southwest of Portland, OR, beside the Willamette River. Stoller has the largest contiguous vineyard in the Dundee Hills and the fruit for their wines is 100% estate grown. Lovely country, ecologically responsible winemaker, very nice wines.
Today, the Stoller Wine Group brands include Stoller Family Estate, Chehalem, Chemistry, History, and Canned Oregon. The link below will lead you to more information about their various offerings. Stoller is a solid, easy choice as a go-to wine maker.
Stoller Family Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2022 is rich, elegant charmer with lingering finish, polished, refined fruit. Excellent balance of fruit, oak, restrained alcohol. Civilized pour that demonstrates why Willamette Valley pinot noir deserves to be in conversation as some of the world’s premier pinots, especially at this price point. $50-60
Pairing—Pacific Northwest salmon is classic, grilled, cedar planked, pan-seared; mushrooms echo the earthy, forest floor elements. Duck, turkey. Pork tenderloin, pork loin with herbs. Lamb chops, lamb burger with brie and basil aioli. Tender beef cuts, filet mignon, braised short ribs, beef bourguignon. Wild mushroom dishes, mushroom risotto, stuffed mushrooms. Roasted vegetables, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, beets with goat cheese and hazelnuts. Cheese—Fresh and aged goat cheese, fresh chèvre, bucheron; brie, camembert; aged cheddar, gruyère, comté; semi-soft, fontina.
