North Valley Vineyards 'Compass' Pinot Noir 2022 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
Sourced from sustainably farmed sites across the northern Willamette Valley, the 2022 “Compass” Pinot Noir reflects the region’s signature interplay of maritime influence, volcanic soils, and hillside exposures. The vineyards span AVAs where cool evening temperatures and gentle diurnal shifts preserve acidity, while daytime warmth in the 2022 growing season encouraged even ripening and phenolic depth. Jory and Nekia volcanic soils contribute a mineral backbone and subtle iron-tinged tension, while pockets of marine sediment lend darker fruit tones and savory complexity. The vintage itself was marked by a warm, steady summer and a long, temperate autumn—ideal for Pinot Noir—creating wines with purity, aromatic lift, and refined tannic presence. “Compass” captures the broader landscape of the Willamette Valley through a balanced expression of multiple microclimates.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
The wine is crafted under the North Valley label, overseen by a team that emphasizes site transparency and classical Pinot Noir structure. Fruit is hand-harvested and sorted to maintain pristine berry integrity, followed by a fermentation that blends whole-berry components with a moderate percentage of whole clusters to encourage aromatic nuance and gentle stem-derived spice. Native yeasts are often used to build textural complexity and preserve a sense of place.
Fermentation occurs in small stainless steel and open-top vessels, allowing for precise temperature control and delicate cap management—typically a combination of pump-overs and punch-downs to modulate extraction. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, with a modest proportion of new wood to frame the fruit rather than dominate it. The élevage focuses on achieving a seamless balance between freshness, supple tannins, and layered aromatics, resulting in a Pinot Noir that is polished yet unmistakably tied to the Willamette Valley’s cool-climate identity.

Tasting Notes
The 2022 “Compass” opens with lifted aromas of pomegranate, fresh raspberry, tart black cherry, rose petal, and wild strawberry, supported by subtle notes of forest floor, sandalwood, dried herbs, and a faint whisper of clove. On the palate, the wine shows impressive clarity and brightness, delivering red fruit purity intertwined with hints of blood orange, tea leaf, and crushed stone. The mid-palate is sleek yet concentrated, unfolding with silken tannins and a fine acid spine that gives the wine energy without harshness.
As it evolves in the glass, savory undertones—mushroom, lightly smoked earth, and red spice—add dimension, while the oak manifests as gentle framing rather than overt flavor. The finish is long, clean, and quietly persistent, leaving impressions of cherry skin, cranberry, and mineral salts. It is a wine defined by balance and finesse rather than weight, reflecting the composure of the 2022 vintage.

Food Pairing & Service
“Compass” excels with dishes that highlight its red-fruited brightness and lifted aromatics. Ideal pairings include cedar-planked salmon, duck breast with cherry gastrique, rosemary-rubbed pork tenderloin, mushroom and farro risotto, or herb-roasted chicken. Its acidity and moderate tannin also make it an excellent companion to charcuterie, soft-ripened cheeses, and lighter game preparations.
Serve at 55–58°F (13–14°C) in a Burgundy bowl to showcase its aromatic delicacy and textural nuance. While already expressive and inviting, the wine will develop additional depth and savory complexity over the next 3–6 years, rewarding short-term cellaring without requiring it.