2016 Nicolas Jay Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 750 ml

At the annual International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon, the “extravaganza dedicated to incurable Pinot-philia,” as described by World of Fine Wine, there are always standouts. But on our last visit to the festival, it was all about standing in line—a very long line—for a taste of one of Oregon’s top newcomers: Domaine Nicolas-Jay. 

The label is a partnership between two unlikely prominent stars: Jean-Nicolas Méo of Méo-Camuzet, whose wines are “among the most sought-after in the Cote d’Or” according to Wine Spectator, and music mogul Jay Boberg, the former President of MCA-Universal Records who worked with legendary artists such as R.E.M., The Go-Go’s, Blink-182, Mary J. Blige, Sublime, and The Roots, to name a few. 

The 2016 Nicolas Jay Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley is a blend of four of the highest awarded vineyards in Willamette, this “deeply structured yet graceful” stunner boasts a deep ruby core and rich, expansive flavors of black cherry according to Wine Spectator. James Suckling likewise praised the 2016, calling it "really lovely." 

We’ve been fans of Nicolas-Jay since day one, when we first tasted their Pinot Noir in San Francisco, at an intimate gathering just over three years ago. As large Riedel Burgundy stems filled with the first vintage of their sumptuously complex Pinot were passed around the room, we’ll never forget the sight of Jean-Nicolas Méo standing side-by-side with Jay Boberg and speaking together about their “hopeful” success. Talk about modesty. 

Well, in just a short time, the wines—and the personality they each bring to their wines—have spoken loud, as have the critics. At Michelin 3-Star Eleven Madison Park in NYC, wine director Cedric Nicaise counts himself lucky to hold bottles of Nicolas-Jay in his cellar. In his 205-page wine list, just one page is dedicated to Oregon Pinots, and the 2016 vintage of Nicolas-Jay is offered at $165 a bottle. By contrast, a bottle of 1985 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Cros Parantoux runs $10,500 or for those on a budget (ahem), there’s the more modestly priced 2012 Domaine Méo-Camuzet Boudots for just $495 a bottle.

When not on his home turf in Burgundy, Méo is traipsing around the best vineyards in Oregon for their Willamette Valley cuvée—brilliant sites like the Momtazi Vineyard in the cool, coastal foothills in the McMinnville AVA (also a source for St. Innocent), Nysa Vineyard rooted in the vivid red-volcanic soils of Dundee Hills AVA (a source for Ken Wright), one Eola-Amity Hills AVA site, and from their biodynamic and organically farmed estate Bishop Creek Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA.

Once those precious grapes are harvested, they get the full Méo-Caumuzet treatment. In the stunning 2016 vintage, associate winemaker Tracy Kendall, along with Méo and Boberg put in long hours hand-sorting grapes, which are treated to a seven-day cold soak, then slow, native-yeast fermentation, followed by daily pump-overs before being gently pressed to barrel for 15 months of élevage in French oak, of which 33 percent is new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, while its founders are celebrities in their own right, this Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is the star of the show and carries with it a great story to share with friends and family.