2022 Nicolas-Jay Willamette Valley L’Ensemble Pinot Noir, Oregon

A good bit of this wine comes from Bishop Creek, up to one-third, though it includes five to six other sites. ‘The idea of this wine is to express both the Valley and the vintage,’ says Jean Nicolas Méo. It's both a vineyard and barrel selection and 30% new oak. The aromatics are grounded in red florals, with touches of earth and a spritz of spiced blood orange. The palate is elegant and refined, with tart berries, a silken structure and a beautiful finish of savoury spice. We make the barrel selection for this wine first before we make our single vineyard wines. ‘These are the best sites and our best barrels from the vintage,’ says partner Jay Boberg.

95 points decanter.com

The 2022 Pinot Noir L'Ensemble is a top 100 Wines of the Year contender. Sporting a reflective medium ruby hue in the glass, it’s pretty and inviting on opening, with pure notes of wild berries, delicate spices, crushed stones, and fresh roses. Medium-bodied on the palate, it’s refreshing and light on its feet, with fine tannins, a clean feel all the way through, and a tapered, mouthwatering finish. Seamless and pure, this is a fantastic appellation wine to enjoy over the next 10-12 years. I would snatch up a case or two to enjoy more frequently.

94 points jebdunnuck.com 

A collaboration born from friendship and shared philosophy, Nicolas Jay brings together the Burgundian heritage of Jean Nicolas Méo from Domaine Méo Camuzet and the Oregon vision of music entrepreneur Jay Boberg. Since its founding in 2013, the winery has become a benchmark for refined, site conscious Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. L’Ensemble is a thoughtful blend of fruit from carefully selected vineyards across the region, designed to capture the valley’s hallmark balance of perfume, structure and cool climate energy.

A vivid ruby crimson gleams in the glass with lifted aromatic charm. Wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry unfold alongside rose petal, baking spice and a gentle savoury thread of forest floor and tea leaf. There is a beautiful composure to the nose, combining youthful vibrancy with understated complexity.

The palate is supple and finely detailed, delivering juicy red berry fruit, cranberry and pomegranate framed by silky tannins and lively natural acidity. Subtle notes of orange peel, dried herbs and mineral freshness add dimension through the mid palate before a long, graceful finish that feels both pure and persistent. This Pinot Noir will evolve elegantly over eight to twelve years as layers of truffle, autumn leaves and spice gradually emerge.

A natural companion for flavourful yet refined dishes, it shines with roast duck and cherry glaze, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto or herb roasted chicken. Nicolas Jay L’Ensemble Pinot Noir captures the harmony and finesse of Willamette Valley Pinot, perfect for long autumn lunches, relaxed dinners and moments when atmosphere and balance matter just as much as the wine itself.