Benton Lane Pinot Noir Duo

Steve and Carol Girard moved from Napa to Oregon’s Willamette Valley for one very simple reason: they were bitten by the Pinot Noir bug.

So they packed up, moved north, and purchased a vineyard, with the stated aim of making ‘sinfully sexy’ Pinot. They produced the first vintage of Benton Lane Pinot in 1991; 29 years later, the winery is still family-owned and still producing 100% estate-grown, 100% organic/sustainable, and 100% delicious Pinot Noir. Honestly, it might be 200% delicious.

The vineyards slope to the east, allowing vines to bask in the morning sun. Rich in volcanic Jory soil, and above the valley fog but below the windy hilltops, this land seems destined to create great Pinot.

The ultimate blend of red (cherry, cranberry, raspberry) and black (cassis, blackberry, black cherry) fruit, plus bittersweet cocoa, spice, and sweet vanilla oak. The balance is just gorgeous, the finish long and silky. In short, I’d say it’s sinfully sexy.