The deep garnet color in the glass hints of ripe flavors to come – of strawberry, blackberry, clove, forest floor, even cola and chocolate. Round, grippy tannins up front give way to a mid-palate with layers of ripe fruit and earth with refined yet lengthy tannins on the finish.
Vineyard
Fifth-generation farmer Jeremy Kennel harvests grapes from his 28-acre vineyard with deep reverence for the land, mindful of his family’s stewardship for generations to come. Nestled between Corvallis and Monmouth in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Kennel is considered a warm site, but benefits from coastal breezes and cool nights, which balance acidity levels and allow for optimal flavor development.
Vintage
2015 was one of the earliest harvests on record. A dry, mild winter led to early bud break in mid-to late March, about two weeks ahead of normal. With minimal frost damage to worry about during winter, there was an abundance of fruit set by early June. Warm temperatures throughout spring and summer kept the vines ahead of their seasonal average maturation. A slight reprieve from the heat arrived around harvest and helped to preserve acidity and allowed for optimal flavor development. The fruit benefited from extended hang time and came in perfectly ripe.
Winemaking
The fruit was cold soaked, punched down and fermented in a stainless steel open top tank. Aged 12 months in French oak, 26% new.
Specs
Vintage: 2015
Varietal: 100% Kennel Vineyard Pinot Noir
Appellation: Willamette Valley
Alcohol: 14.5%
2016 King Estate Pfeiffer Pinot Noir
On the nose, black cherry and blackberry are complemented by toast, clove and rose petal. This is a medium-bodied wine with a balanced structure that lingers on the palate in a pleasing finish. Enjoy now and until at least 2030.
Vineyard
Pfeiffer Vineyard and King Estate have a winemaking collaboration dating back to 1992. In fact, Pfeiffer has sold its grapes to no other winery for a quarter century. Situated in a unique microclimate in the hills of the Oregon Coast Range, this vineyard produces wines with clean, crisp texture and fruit forward flavors.
Vintage
The 2016 Oregon vintage turned out to be another in a string of remarkable years that has blessed the state with ideal growing conditions. The vintage started out early in western Oregon with average bud break occurring in mid-to late March. Unusually warm temperatures in April and May accelerated an “early season effect” which caused vineyards to go into bloom by the third week of June. The weather cooled substantially through August. The 2016 harvest began in early September and continued unabated until the end of the month, just in time to avoid the onset of rain in October.
Winemaking
Whole clusters are destemmed then subjected to a 48-hour cold soak with daily pump overs. For further concentration of flavor and color, 10% of juice is bled off the red wine during fermentation using the Saignée method. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel open top tanks with daily punch downs. Full malolactic fermentation in barrel after completion of primary. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.
When King Estate was founded in 1991, it was driven by a commitment to sustainability and profound respect for the land. The adventurous spirit that inspired us from the beginning continues to guide us as we nurture our vineyards to craft premium Oregon wines.
The King Estate story is woven into the history of Oregon wine, where winemaking is synonymous with discovery and sustainability. The last 30 years have been focused on innovation, craft, and a deep sense of respect for the land, the vines and the people who enjoy our wines. We have been establishing our traditions, one vintage at a time.
Crafted with an artisanal style that celebrates the unique characteristics of the Pacific Northwest, our sustainably grown and thoughtfully produced wines are world renowned.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
I find myself a lab rat again. I am digging the Casemates Pinot habit for sure. I just finished (believe it or not) watching the first season of Ted Lasso with a good friend (I was busy in 2020 okay?) - and the Kennel Vineyard somehow paired perfectly with it (I’m not going to try and explain that further, just go with it.)
Anyway, on with the review. I have to say I was surprised. I mean, this is a wine that is 11 years from vintage, but it tastes fresh and young with a bright acidity that suggests it still has a long future. My tasting notes start with my friend’s exclamation of “Jam-o-rama!” and that would be true - without being cloying and heavy. Like cherry pie, with just a hint of allspice and clove.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
King Estate Mixed Pinot Noir - $80 = 31.37%
The '15 has a bit of age, as does this review on it from WE…89 points. This wine opens with a rather sharp attack, yielding peppery, penetrating raspberry fruit. It’s clean and precise, backed with juicy acidity, and shows the potential for cellaring over the next half dozen vintages. Paul Gregutt 10/1/18
Another flash site has 3 other 2016 single vineyard offerings for $23, makes the box price here look pretty attractive albeit different vineyard.
@klezman I think you’ll find that few casemates offers here get shared. Never hurts to ask though. Your group in CA would be an anomalie here. If you need anything or have any chi-related questions, hit me up.
King Estate Mixed Pinot Noir
2015 King Estate Kennel Pinot Noir
Vineyard
Vintage
Winemaking
Specs
2016 King Estate Pfeiffer Pinot Noir
Vineyard
Vintage
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website
$948/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 14 - Tuesday, Sep 15
King Estate Mixed Pinot Noir
4 bottles for $84.99 $21.25/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $174.99 $14.58/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2015 King Estate Kennel Pinot Noir
2016 King Estate Pfeiffer Pinot Noir
2015 King Estate Kennel Pinot Noir
I find myself a lab rat again. I am digging the Casemates Pinot habit for sure. I just finished (believe it or not) watching the first season of Ted Lasso with a good friend (I was busy in 2020 okay?) - and the Kennel Vineyard somehow paired perfectly with it (I’m not going to try and explain that further, just go with it.)
Anyway, on with the review. I have to say I was surprised. I mean, this is a wine that is 11 years from vintage, but it tastes fresh and young with a bright acidity that suggests it still has a long future. My tasting notes start with my friend’s exclamation of “Jam-o-rama!” and that would be true - without being cloying and heavy. Like cherry pie, with just a hint of allspice and clove.
I think I gotta get some.
@eljefetwisted You had the 2015 I assume, applying my exponentially wonderful math skills?
@eljefetwisted @kaolis Great assumption. I came to the same conclusion without even applying my math major
:
@eljefetwisted @Mark_L pre-caffeine operator error
@eljefetwisted lol they’re gonna keep having you labrat because it’s a guaranteed case sale.
@CruelMelody @eljefetwisted Yep I ordered a case. Was initially afraid it was too old, but doesn’t seem like it.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
King Estate Mixed Pinot Noir - $80 = 31.37%
The '15 has a bit of age, as does this review on it from WE…89 points. This wine opens with a rather sharp attack, yielding peppery, penetrating raspberry fruit. It’s clean and precise, backed with juicy acidity, and shows the potential for cellaring over the next half dozen vintages. Paul Gregutt 10/1/18
Another flash site has 3 other 2016 single vineyard offerings for $23, makes the box price here look pretty attractive albeit different vineyard.
Machine warmed up, so I guess that’s about it…
fwiw
We’ve been more and more into Pinot’s lately so after reading eljefetwisted’s rattage, I was ready to hit buy on this one until
No shipping to CT 
Oh dang, this is a steal…especially for an aged Willamette Valley Pinot! Never had a bad bottle of King Estate! In for a case…
calm-outrageous-catfish
We love Pinot, especially with some age on it. If anybody in Chicago has some to spare let us know!
@klezman I think you’ll find that few casemates offers here get shared. Never hurts to ask though. Your group in CA would be an anomalie here. If you need anything or have any chi-related questions, hit me up.