The Elouan Oregon Pinot Noir 2022 is a wine I found on sale at a local wine shop, selling for $12.99. This brand is from Joe Wagner, the family behind the Caymus brand of wine. You may know Joe from his Meiomi Pinot Noir that caused a sensation, and he sold that brand for several 100 million dollars.
Chuck Wagner started Caymus in 1972, and it has been a huge success; its wines are world-famous. The Wagner children started their wine brands, Copper Cane, Belle Clos, Bøen, and now Elouan.
The name Elouan comes from two French words meaning “good light”, such as the sun shining down on the vines in the vineyard, and it also refers to the divine light.
The Story
The Elouan Oregon Pinot Noir 2022 comes from the north, the central, and the south of coastal Oregon. You often see Oregon Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley (located in the Northwest), but Willamette isn’t the only quality growing region in the state.
And like Meiomi was sourced (when Joe Wagner owned it) from 3 California growing regions, the Elouan is sourced from 3 Oregon regions.
The 2022 vintage had up-and-down temperatures, which allowed the grapes plenty of time to fully develop and ripen. The tasting notes did not mention an oak program, which isn’t necessary if the grape skins provided enough tannins to give the Pinot Noir structure.
The Alcohol content is 13.6% and the back label says the wine was grown in Oregon and produced in California.
The Elouan Oregon Pinot Noir 2022 Tasting Notes
The color is a barely see-through black cherry red. The nose is a tart cherry, herbs, spice, and black pepper. Along with tea and a little Dr. Pepper. The Elouan Oregon Pinot Noir 2022 is velvety on the palate with both soft and tart flavors.
This Pinot Noir tastes like black cherry, a slap of spice, plum, black pepper, clove, cranberry, a little cola, and black licorice.
The acidity is well controlled and the flavors stick with you.
The Summary
- The Elouan Oregon Pinot Noir 2022 is an excellent value-priced Pinot Noir, it has great taste and good structure.
- This is a sipping wine, yes, it will pair with the usual food suspects, but I think it shines on its own.
- Meiomi was New World Pinot Noir, big and bold.
- The Elouan is classic Pinot Noir (I prefer the classic style)
