One of the most collectible Pinot Noirs made in all of Oregon is from a winery you’ve probably never heard of: Thomas Winery. Located in Carlton, Oregon, winemaker John Thomas has been releasing small amounts of wine from the Thomas Vineyard since 1988. I don’t recall ever seeing ratings from the Wine Advocate or the Wine Spectator, and I don’t think Thomas has ever hosted a public event. The winery has achieved cult like status among wine collectors.
Very light red in color. Similar to the 2010 in that respect. 13.2% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, rose petals, forest floor and minerals. Light to medium body with exquisite acidity. So light and delicate but with underlying power. Flavors of bing cherries, earth, mushrooms and a hint of iodine. The finish is exceptionally long and just seems to linger on the back of the palate. Not the best year for Oregon Pinot Noir but this a beautiful wine. Best over the next 3-5 years.
My rating: 93 points.
Thomas Pinot Noir makes a brief appearance at Portland-area shops soon after release, and is priced right around $65 per bottle. The 2015 was recently released to members of the mailing list. If you want to put your name on the mailing list you will need track down the winery address and send John a letter. I’ve had the opportunity to taste bottles going back to the late 90’s, and think the wine shows best 7-10 years past the vintage date.
I’ve blogged about Thomas previously in The 2017 Zinfandel Chronicles Power Rankings and Thomas Winery: The Best Pinot Noir You Have Never Heard Of.
Hi Tom, found this info in Walley’s webpage. Cheers.
Description
Hard to believe, but Wally’s association with John Thomas now stretches back nearly 25 years! Shortly following receiving our initial ten cases of the 1992 vintage of Thomas Oregon Pinot Noir, the Wine Spectator wound up rating it equal to or superior than much more costly Pinot Noirs such as Williams Selyem and Rochioli. From that day to this, demand for John Thomas’s one-man show, fewer than 500-case production Pinot Noir from his treasured five-acre estate vineyard in Carlton, has remained undiminished.
Wally’s precious annual allotment remains the only shipment to cross the border from Oregon into California. This year’s release of the superb 2015 vintage did not arrive until mid-December, a full month later than usual, thus the delay to inform you. Well, the waiting is over, so your opportunity to purchase one of the closest things to true Burgundy the New World produces is now. The signature translucent purple/magenta color the wine sports is a visual precursor of its unique character, and its fine-edged, captivating range of flavors manage to distill all the finest elements of soil, fruit and sun that makes Oregon the magnet it is for the talented winegrowers now crafting such memorable beverages
-Gary Fishman, Wally’s Pacific Northwest Wine Buyer