Medium ruby color; cherry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, blueberry, oak hints on the nose and palate.
Dry; mild tannins and acidity; lush, supple in the mouth. Made with biodynamically-farmed grapes from the Yamhill-Carlton Mineral Springs Vineyard in Willamette Valley. Thirty days of extended maceration, 45% in new French oak. Aged a year in barrel. 13.8% ABV
Tony and Michelle Soter founded Soter Vineyards in 1997. Tony Soter founded Etude Wines and was consultant to Araujo, Shafer, Spottswoode, and Dalla Valle. Michelle Soter had more than two decades of advertising and marketing experience, but she brought a fierce conviction to environmentalism, organics, biodynamics, nutrition, and holistic living.
The website notes: “After years of diligence, they accomplished one of their ultimate goals in 2013, converting their 240-acre property into a certified biodynamic farm and haven for growing world-class wines. Certification was achieved in 2016. In addition to being mindful stewards of the land, they provide an unrivaled workplace, sustaining a compassionate team that makes Soter Vineyards what it is today.”
Michelle passed away in 2019 after a long battle with cancer. The website notes: “Her work lives on at MSR where Tony continues to model their business on natural systems, be it farming, winemaking, business development, or human experience.”
Soter Vineyards Mineral Springs Ranch Pinot Noir 2021 is red-fruit forward. Ripe, juicy with amenable tannins and acidity. Extended finish. Nice experience of Willamette Valley. Decant as this is still young, but it presents well after air and will benefit from laying down for the next couple of years. Pair with salmon and other rich seafood; turkey; pasta with red or white sauce; pork; spicy foods; appetizers and charcuterie board. Cheese—sheep’s milk and semi-soft cheeses; gruyère, comté, emmenthal, gouda, abbaye de belloc, zamarano, manchego, roucoulons, aged cheddar. $75-83
