Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

2019 Vintage

This limited offering was bottled unfined and unfiltered, and aged for eleven months in three-year air-dried French oak barrels. It is distinguished by a fermentation of intact clusters that include whole berries as well as their stems. The technique imparts the wine with certain distinct characteristics. 95 cases produced. Comprised of four clones from four Pelos Sandberg Vineyard blocks: “Yiayia” planted to Pommard, “Abino Hill” planted to Wädenswil, “Tonka” planted to Dijon 777, and “Oscar” planted to Dijon 667.

Impressions

Dense berries, accents of rhubarb and faded rose petal define the 2019 iOTA Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. Its rounded, weighty midpalate gives way to rustic notes of toast and leather on a velvety finish.

Reviews

JamesSuckling.com

March 2024

Reviewed by James Suckling & Tasting Panel

Rating: 94

This is very aromatic and characterful with bright red berries, dried herbs, grapefruit peel, white pepper and beeswax. Complex and layered, with tension and persistence. Medium-bodied, long and balanced. Very attractive and well made.

2018 Vintage

This highly limited offering was bottled unfined and unfiltered, aged for eleven months in three year air-dried French oak barrels. It is distinguished by a fermentation of intact clusters that include whole berries as well as their stems. The technique imparts the wine with certain distinct characteristics. 112 cases produced. Comprised of four clones from five Pelos Sandberg Vineyard blocks: “Yiayia & Pappou” planted to Pommard, “Anna & Tonka” planted to Dijon 777, and “Oscar” planted to Dijon 667.

Impressions

Supple berries abound in the 2018 iOTA Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. Its rich mouthfeel highlighted by dusty rose petals, mocha, and a subtle touch of oak. The polished tannins lead to a silky, persistent finish.

Reviews

Wine & Spirits Magazine

Year’s Best US Pinot Noirs

Spring Issue, 2023

Reviewed by Patrick J. Comiskey

Rating: 93

Forward and dark at once, this pinot from a vineyard east of the town of Amity is hauntingly spiced by 100 percent whole clusters in the fermentation. The stems give the wine a brambly, earthy quality that keeps it crisp and fine-tuned, with fruit as dark as a blackberry crumble, and tannins that feel mineral and firm.

JamesSuckling.com

April 2022

Reviewed by James Suckling & Tasting Panel

Rating: 93

Aromas of sage, roses, and ripe red cherries. Medium-bodied with fine, velvety tannins. Ripe, with very good concentration. Not overdone, but rather generous and elegant.

2017 Vintage

This highly limited offering was bottled unfined and unfiltered, aged for eleven months in three year air-dried French oak barrels and cellared for an additional two+ years in bottle before release. It is distinguished by a fermentation of intact clusters that include whole berries as well as their stems. The technique imparts the wine with certain distinct characteristics. 97 cases produced. It is comprised of four clones from six Pelos Sandberg Vineyard blocks: “Yiayia & Pappou” planted to Pommard, “Abino Hill” planted to Wädenswil, “Anna & Tonka” planted to Dijon 777, and “Oscar” planted to Dijon 667.

Impressions

Sweet, aromatic blossoms settle into dusty notes of earth, dark chocolate and berry flavors on the midpalate of the 2017 iOTA Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. Its textured finish, aligned by medium grained tannins, is long and appealing.

Reviews

Wine & Spirits Magazine

Top 50 US Pinot Noirs

Spring Issue, 2022

Reviewed by Patrick J. Comiskey

Rating: 92

Lavishly spicey, with whole-cluster scents of beetroot and bergamot, this wine’s anise and ink notes overlay a dark plummy core of fruit. Through all that darkness and rootiness there’s a freshness that lifts the wine, finishing with a burnished depth.

2016 Vintage

This highly limited offering was bottled unfined and unfiltered, aged for eleven months in three-year air-dried French oak barrels and cellared for an additional two years in bottle before release. It is distinguished by a fermentation of intact clusters that include whole berries as well as their stems. The technique imparts the wine with certain distinct characteristics. 95 cases were produced. It is comprised of four clones from five Pelos Sandberg Vineyard blocks: “Yiayia” & “Pappou” planted to Pommard, “Abino Hill” planted to Wädenswil, “Tonka” planted to Dijon 777, and “Oscar” planted to Dijon 667.

Impressions

Intense blackberry and plum aromas, with hints of clove and dusty baking spices, abound on the nose, as the 2016 iOTA Whole Cluster Pinot Noir reveals its densely layered midpalate. Framed in silty tannins, the memorable finish is smooth and generous.

Reviews

Wine & Spirits Magazine

Year’s Best US Pinot Noirs

April, 2020

Reviewed by Patrick J. Comiskey

Rating: 94

iOTA was established in 2006…in 2016 their estate wine is a knockout, reflecting the rocky, shallow-soiled vineyard site with its tremendous density. It opens like a sunburst, the cherry fruit expressed with vitality and concentration. The whole-cluster regiment (90 percent) contributes lift, structure and a violet note that elevates the smoky Mexican chocolate flavors.

Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Buying Guide

December 1, 2019

Reviewed by Paul Gregutt, Contributing Editor

Score: 90

The whole-cluster fermentation splashes herb, thistle and underbrush components around and through blackberry fruit. The tannins are firm with a green edge, but everything is in good balance and the wine synthesizes the flavors well.

2015 Vintage

This highly limited offering was bottled unfined and unfiltered, aged for eleven months in three-year air-dried French oak barrels and cellared for an additional fourteen months in bottle before release. It is distinguished by a fermentation of intact clusters that include whole berries as well as their stems. The technique imparts the wine with certain distinct characteristics. 94 cases were produced. It is comprised of four clones from four Pelos Sandberg Vineyard blocks: “Yiayia” planted to Pommard, “Abino Hill” planted to Wädenswil, “Tonka” planted to Dijon 777, and “Oscar” planted to Dijon 667.

Impressions

Focused, with dusty chocolate and blueberry aromas, the 2015 iOTA Whole Cluster Pinot Noir unfolds its intricately woven midpalate of pure, dark flavors, licorice and spice. Its well-structured finish is marked by polished tannins and a refined minerality.

Reviews

Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Buying Guide

June 1, 2018

Reviewed by Paul Gregutt, Contributing Editor

Score: 90

Whole cluster fermentation brings this wine’s juicy fruit flavors front and center. Like an especially fine Beaujolais, it pushes ripe berry notes into the spotlight and finishes with drying, tea leaf tannins.

2014 Vintage

This highly limited offering was bottled unfined and unfiltered, aged for ten months in three-year air-dried French oak barrels and cellared for an additional fourteen months in bottle before release. It is distinguished by a fermentation of intact clusters that include whole berries as well as their stems. The technique imparts the wine with certain distinct characteristics. 96 cases were produced. It is comprised of four clones from four Pelos Sandberg Vineyard blocks: “Yiayia” planted to Pommard, “Abino Hill” planted to Wädenswil, “Tonka” planted to Dijon 777, and “Oscar” planted to Dijon 667.

Impressions

Nuanced and graceful on the nose, the ’14 iOTA Whole Cluster Pinot Noir reveals aromas of baked cherry, white pepper, ginger and faded rose petal. Its bright and jazzy midpalate gives way to rustic notes of tobacco and smoke, finishing with a velvety, supple texture.

Reviews

The Prince of Pinot

Pinotfile: VOL 11, ISSUE 5

Sips of Recently Tasted Willamette Valley Wines

June 25, 2017

by William “Rusty” Gaffney

Score: 92

Four barrels of 100% whole cluster Pinot Noir. 25% each of Pommard, Wädenswil, 777 and 667 clones. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. Bottled unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Exotically perfumed with aromas of dark berries, spice, sweet smoke and oil can. More intensely flavored with a more profound attack than the flagship bottling, offering flavors of purple and black berries, spice, mushroom, smoke and earth. Velveteen in texture, with snappy acidity and a very long, sweet cherry finish. Much more rounded and inviting when tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.