Rare North 2023 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Rare North 2023 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is a clean, modern, and highly drinkable Oregon Pinot that leans into fresh red fruit, light spice, and balance over power. It’s not trying to be a dense, oak-heavy Pinot—instead, it delivers exactly what Willamette does best: clarity, elegance, and easy approachability, making it a strong value and a reliable by-the-glass or everyday premium option.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Rare North is a project focused on producing accessible, terroir-driven wines from classic regions, and this Pinot Noir draws from multiple vineyard sites across Oregon’s Willamette Valley—one of the world’s premier Pinot Noir regions.

The 2023 vintage in Willamette is particularly noteworthy. Conditions produced wines with a compelling balance of ripeness and freshness, combining intensity with elegance—a hallmark of the region at its best .

Production details emphasize a lighter, more natural style:

• 100% Pinot Noir
• Sourced from carefully selected Willamette Valley vineyards
• Partial whole-cluster fermentation (~20%) for added structure
• Aged ~9 months in mostly neutral French oak (minimal new oak)
• Moderate alcohol (~13% ABV)

This approach keeps the focus on fruit purity and texture, rather than heavy oak influence.

Critics Reviews

There are no major published critic scores widely cited for this wine.

However:

• Wine Enthusiast tasting note highlights tart raspberry, boysenberry, straw, and black pepper with a balanced, lighter style
• Additional notes describe juicy red fruit, strawberry, and earthy spice with a medium-bodied profile

This positions it squarely in the fresh, everyday Willamette Pinot category.

Tasting Profile

Nose
Red raspberry, strawberry, light earth, and black pepper spice.

Palate
Medium-bodied with juicy red fruit, cranberry, subtle herbs, and soft tannins.

Finish
Bright and clean with refreshing acidity and a lightly earthy, peppery lift.

Quick Overview

Food Pairing

This is a very flexible food wine:

• Roast chicken or turkey
• Salmon or tuna
• Mushroom dishes
• Charcuterie and lighter cheeses

The acidity + light body make it extremely versatile.