Walter Scott - Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard 2022 (Pre-arrival)

Add to Wish List

Walter Scott Description

Dennis and Thelma Peseau are pioneers of Willamette Valley viticulture, having co-founded the Eola Springs Vineyard with partners in 1978, long before the Eola-Amity Hills AVA was designated. Hearing of a beautiful piece of land on the same ridge, they set their sights on the top of the hill, where they established their legacy site, Sojeau Vineyard. Decades of farming experience on this special hillside allowed Denny to make deliberate, informed choices when planting Sojeau, based on his deep understanding of what was necessary for the vines to thrive in this dramatic landscape.

Sojeau Vineyard commands a breathtaking stance, directly south-west facing into the heart of the Van Duzer Corridor. This unique aspect makes Sojeau one of our coolest sites, where the intense coastal winds enhance the acidity and aromatics of the wine. The 15-acre planting of Pinot Noir at Sojeau is divided into three blocks with three distinct series of volcanic soils. From these, we source 20 rows in a cross-section of Pommard, Dijon 114, and Wadenswil clones. Harvested together and co-fermented, this process allows us to showcase the full potential of Sojeau’s terroir through both its clonal and soil diversity.

Sojeau Pinot Noir greets the senses with vibrant aromas of black cherry, violets, smokey bacon, and a subtle hint of soy. The palate is richly concentrated, showcasing ripe red strawberries with an intricate medley of clove, cardamom, bergamot, and a whisper of licorice root. Silky yet firm tannins provide structure, leading to a dynamic finish laced with bright acidity and a profound mineral depth. This wine masterfully balances power with elegance, delivering a consistently refined and memorable experience.

Jeb Dunnuck: 95 Points

The 2022 Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard pours a jeweled ruby red color and has a lustrous profile on the nose, with candied cherries, wild herbs, rosemary, licorice, and cedar spices. It brings a great deal of electric intensity to the palate, with sally minerals, mouthwatering, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, and a long, clean finish with a hint of umami richness. It’s going to benefit from another year in the cellar and will drink its best 2026-2046. 450 cases were produced.

Decanter: 95 Points

Vinous: 94 Points

The 2022 Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard is savory on the nose with an array of crushed stone, spiced orange and dried black cherries. This floods the palate with silky textures and ripe red and blue fruits, gaining tension through a saturation of minerality that comes forward toward the close. A coating of fine-grained tannins lingers along with a tart berry concentration as the 2022 finishes structured and incredibly long. This is harmonious to the core, but patience will be required.