2015 Hyland Estates Pinot Noir McMinnville Oregon (375 mL) Half-Bottle

Willamette Valley’s 93-96-point Pinot Noir Vintage

We live for moments like this, when our decades in the business and countless hours on the road building relationships pay off for us — and for Wine Access clients. The call came from the owner of a 5-star hotel, informing us of the sudden, surprise departure of their wine director necessitating a change in wine program. Did we remember the 2015 Hyland Estates Pinot Noir? Why yes, yes we did: We tend to remember the wines that sell out and leave our clients asking for more. We remembered that Wine Spectator had ranked its three immediate predecessors — 2012, 2013, 2014 — all at 91 points or more, but hadn’t yet scored this 2015, from a Willamette Valley vintage judged 93-96 points. We recalled the superstar winemaking team behind it. Our friend with the hotel had 600 half-bottles that no longer fit with his program; we took them all. At merely $14.50 per 375ml bottle, we recommend a case-buy — one taste, and you’ll be glad you have more for your celebratory toasts.

Hyland’s estate vineyard is perched on rolling green hills at the foot of Oregon’s Coastal range,  blessed with cooler summers than inland climes. As the wind picks up each evening, maritime breeze off the Pacific Ocean soothe blistering Willamette Valley summer days. Over the last 40 years, this distinct microclimate has put the McMinnville region on the map for producing some of the most elegant and finely delineated Pinot Noirs in all of Oregon.

In 2015, Laurent Montalieu (of Robert Parker-favorite Soléna Estate) and Anne Sery (who worked in her parents’ Côte de Nuits vineyard since the she was 14 years old) took over the vines at Hyland that were planted back in 1971. These expert Oregon winemakers coaxed truly dynamic Pinot Noir out of Hyland’s self-rooted vines. Luckily, Wine Access clients have one more chance to stock up on some of the last of this structured, silky Pinot; the bottles are half, the pleasure will be full.