2021 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir “Barrel Select” Willamette Valley 375ml

The Wine

The wine opens with a rich aromatic profile featuring blackcap raspberry, strawberries, cherries and dark cocoa that hints at a pinot with generous body and mouthfeel. Yet on the palate it delivers a little Mickey Spillane surprise twist, delivering instead a crisp and elegant experience that opens the wine to happy partnerships with a broader array of foods. 

Tart red cherry and lemon zest keep the wine fresh and energetic, a wine that leans into finesse rather than power. This is the lighter, crisper side of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, so (not surprisingly) it weighs in with lower alcohol - just 13% ABV.

The Winery

Raptor Ridge Winery was in 1995, perched atop a scenic ridge in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains AVA. If you're ever in Portland and run out of things to do (ha! just plan on going anyway) you owe it to yourself to take the short drive to visit Raptor Ridge. The estate is known for its expressive, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs as well as some less-common Old-World varietals like Grüner Veltliner.

As is true for most of the producers we include on our shelves, sustainability is central to their philosophy—their estate vineyards are LIVE-certified, reflecting a commitment to low-impact viticulture and environmental stewardship.

Visitors to the winery can enjoy immersive tasting experiences, from vineyard strolls to vine-to-glass tours paired with curated charcuterie. Raptor Ridge blends technical precision with warm hospitality, creating wines that showcase the diversity and character of the Willamette Valley.