Winery: Hyland Estates

Vintage: 2017

Wine Name/Vineyard: Coury

Wine Category: Old Vine Pinot Noir

Grape blend: 100% Pinot Noir

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Willamette Valley

State or country: Oregon

Price: $60

ABV: 13.3%

Cases produced: N/A

The Barrel Cellar Score:  92 points

Review date: November 10, 2019

About the Winemaker: This wine is named after Charles Coury who brought over vines from Alsace in the early 1960’s. The vines are clones from Charles’ original lot and exist thanks to a nursery partnership with Dick Erath.

This is the second Hyland Estates wine I’ve reviewed over the last couple of months and it solidifies my opinion that Hyland is producing some very fine wines. Wine makers from the Willamette Valley are creating fantastically refined wines with consistency year after year, and Hyland Estates should be recognized as a contributing factor.

Hyland Estate Winery has been making wine in Oregon since the “beginning” of the wine region; their first grapes were planted in 1971. One of my first Oregon wow moments came nearly a decade ago on my first of what would become many visits to Hyland’s tasting room. Owner and wine maker Laurent Montalieu is making some well thought out, complex, and refined wines, wines that can stand up next to some of the other, perhaps more recognized wines in the region.

Color:  Burnt Umber

Nose:  Strawberry, oak

Taste: Cherry, strawberry, and earth. Finish: Vanilla and dried spice.

Assessment: Hyland Estates “Coury” Old Vine Pinot Noir is a single clone offering and it is beautiful. The 2017 vintage is still young; on first taste it seemed a bit uneven. An hour or so after decanting, complexity, character, and balance shined through and it continued to evolve with each glass. It’s light to medium bodied, but the tannins contribute wonderful texture.

This wine does need some more time in the bottle; I can’t wait to open another one in a couple of years.

Hyland Estates “Coury” Old Vine Pinot Noir is an exceptional wine.  92 points. 

Pairing recommendation:  Beef Bourguignon, a rich chocolate cake.