Kevin - Wine Specialist, Pasadena
When this reporter reaches for affordable Pinot Noir, one secret to getting high quality on a budget is to find lower priced offerings from a prestigious winery. That's why we were excited to discover the 2023 Vireton from the good folks at Archery Summit!
Archery Summit Winery, established in the early 1990's in the Willamette Valley, has long been a respected label - producing bold, yet balanced Pinot Noir from five estate vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA. On a wine safari in 2018, we visited the facility and tasted their delicious wares in the subterranean barrel cellars, which are nestled in the volcanic rock that defines the property. But the claustrophobic oenophile needn't worry, there is a lovely tasting room "on the surface"!
When Mission received the Vireton Pinot Noir—crafted by the same team that produces the front-line wines but made more affordable by sourcing fruit from the greater Willamette region—we had to give it a spin!
The nose is dominated by raspberry and red currant with notes of forest and earth, hinting at the luscious fruit, warm baking spices and subtle oak flavors to follow.
This beauty performs well above its price point, and would be a great bring-along to any BBQ. It could even benefit from a few minutes in the fridge while the grill heats up. BULLSEYE!
