Holocene, Apocrypha Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2022

 Overview of the Brand
By now, everyone knows that the Willamette Valley is an amazing place to grow Pinot Noir. When I relocated from Napa Valley to partner up with Force Majeure Vineyards, I knew I also wanted to start a project where I could focus attention on a varietal and growing region that I loved. Part of the excitement of being in the Pacific Northwest is the ability to have access to so many amazing vineyards and so much diversity, along with the opportunity to push boundaries and try new things – something that is becoming increasingly difficult in other growing regions. 

We partner up with a few very small, diverse and amazing vineyards in the Willamette Valley, sourcing fruit from these dry-farmed sites that emphasize low yields, sustainable practices and produce outstanding fruit.

The wines are crafted in the same way I have been making wine since I was carrying it out at Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley — utilizing very low-impact, non-industrial techniques, native yeasts, little extraction and little new oak, and never filtering or fining. This allows a real sense of place to show through in the wines that is often dimmed when too much manipulation is undertaken.

Our first vintage was 2015, and was released in early 2017. As production is currently extremely small, the best way to get the wines into your hands is to join our mailing list at the “Mailing List” link above to receive an allocation when we have a release. We release wines once per year, and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis, shipped straight to your door.

Sustainable.

Winemaker
Todd Alexander

Grape / Blend
100% Pinot Noir

Origin
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The 2022 Apocrypha Pinot Noir comes from rocky volcanic soils in the Chehalem Mountains AVA and is comprised of a blend of clones that include old Chalone, 113, 777 and 115. It’s the darkest and most brooding of the whole lineup but it is still light on its feet. The color is deep ruby with soaring, brambly aromatics that flirt with northern Rhône character and might make you think of Syrah for a moment, if not for the presence of red fruit, incense, mushroom and fresh cut flowers that scream Pinot. 63% whole cluster, the tannins give it a solid framework and will help give it a long life. 

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Apocrypha features aromas and flavors of tart blackberries and boysenberries, along with bursts of orange zest, black tea and chai spices. The texture is silky and satisfying, with sinewy fine-grained tannins. Every sip provides righteous chills of acidity, like listening to a Pharoah Sanders sax riff on "Got to Have Freedom." Enjoy now until 2039.

Product size: 750ml