Evesham Wood "Le Puits Sec" Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2023
(Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [DM 96] [JS 95] [WE 94] [VM 92]

From the Winery:
"Founded by Russ Rainey in 1986, Evesham Wood is based on the idea that small is beautiful. To maintain a high level of quality, we rely on two basic principles: obtaining optimally ripe low-yield fruit from the best possible sites in the Willamette Valley, and using minimal intervention in the winemaking process. That approach is alive and well today, and is evident in every bottle we produce." Winemaker and owner, Erin Nuccio

To know a vineyard so well, as we do with Le Puits Sec, means that this is our clearest lens to experience how a specific vintage impacts the scents, flavors, and textures of home. Our estate vineyard crown jewel shines so brightly in 2023, gleaming with red, blue, and purple tones, both cool and warm. Up front, this is a vivid, engaging Le Puits Sec Pinot–it’s extroverted side. But there is deep and ample structure barely beneath the surface and we know this wine will age for a very long time, should you be able to resist its youthful exuberance.

It was a relatively easy growing season! After a cold spring, we had a beautiful warm and sunny May and June that got us from bud break to bloom in near-record time. Even during the warmest days in August, our dry-farmed old vines showed their adaptability and resilience. We started picking in mid September, well before any threat of rain.

The 2023 wines have a similar structure to 2015s—this is great because 2015 was a wonderful vintage with classic, very age-worthy wines. But the 2023s have more lift—by lift I mean more jump-out-of-the-glass aromatics and brighter fruit. The layers and complexity of the ‘23s are more transparent and the wines overall are more extroverted. I believe the ‘23s will follow a similarly rewarding path of the ‘15s by aging gracefully, but they have the bonus of being more expressive early on.

447 cases produced, 13% abv

Ratings and Reviews

96 Points - Decanter:
Le Puits Sec is the main estate vineyard at Evesham Wood, planted by founder Russ Rainey in 1986 on its own roots, with additional plantings in 1991 to three different Dijon clone Pinot Noirs. It’s certified organic and dry-farmed. Elegance abounds in the aromatics, with a melange of fresh red berries, blood orange and resonant notes of forest floor. Stunning on the palate with mouthfuls of fresh woodland berry fruits, dashes of savoury mint and soaring notes of fresh cranberry and spicy blood orange. Exotic spices lead the finish with touches of sea salt. 2025-2035.

95 Points - James Suckling:
Wonderful aromas of wild red berries, blackberries, fresh earth, pine and savory herbs. On the palate it shows depth, freshness and tension, with pleasing sweetness to the fruit and mouthwatering acidity. Made from own-rooted Pommard clone planted in 1986. Drink or hold.

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
Dark raspberry and orange zest aromas make for a lovely perfume, but it's the notes of pine needles and crunchy dried oak leaves that make you lean in for more. With energetic acidity, silky tannins and a perfect sense of balance, the Le Puits Sec is like slipping on a pair of nicely broken in calfskin gloves. The wine's tart red raspberry and quince flavors are tangy and refreshing, with just a touch rose hip tea on the long finish. Enjoy now until 2039-2040. — Michael Alberty

92 Points - Vinous:
The 2023 Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec is the most backward of the Evesham Wood releases, revealing notes of sour citrus and cherries complicated by savory herbs. Soft-textured and round, it offers tart wildberry fruits and nuances of tangerine that add attractive depth. Gently chewy and long, it has grippy tannins offset by a bump of residual acidity. (Drink between 2027-2034)