Willakenzie Estate Pinot Blanc 2005

This Pinot Blanc is an exotic wine with tropical fruit, grapefruit and peach flavors with an attractive hazelnut and spice edge. The mouth starts with a nice crisp acidity and spicy tang, characteristic of the varietal and builds to a mineral infused, lively finish. The wine is best consumed chilled and is a great food companion. Try this wine as an alternative to Chardonnay.

Like most Oregon wineries, Willakenzie Estate is family owned. Burgundy native, Bernard Lacroute, and his American-born wife, Ronni, purchased 420 acres in Yamhill, Oregon in 1991 and began planting vineyards in 1992. They now have over 100 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards. They believe that caring for the soil will allow terroir to shine in their wines. The Pinot Blanc vines that produced this wine are Alsatian clones grafted onto phylloxera-resistant rootsock. Winemaker Thibaud Mandet uses traditional Alsatian yeasts for controlled-temperature fermentation of whole clusters read more...in stainless steel tanks in order to emphasize the ripe fruit. Willakenzie started bottling red and white wines with screw caps in 2001, so this is a cork free wine. Pinot Blanc can be bland, but not this baby. The nose boasts aromas of peach, apricot and pear with a whisper of honeysuckle. In the mouth the ripe peachy, pear flavors are round and delectable, although they might become a bit cumbersome but for the zesty acidity that keeps those tastebuds hopping.    (hide)

Wine & Spirits rating: 90

Rating: 86/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 11/15/06

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by Wine & Spirits

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by Wine & Spirits Magazine