PRODUCT PROFILE
Product Profile Sheet 750ml
BENTON-LANE 
Steve and Carol Girard have been owners of Benton-Lane since 1988. They headed north from their home state California, feeling that Oregon’s cooler climate offered the possibility of producing Pinot Noir with better balance, structure, and more interesting flavours. They settled on a property called ‘Sunnymount’ in southern Willamette Valley, named for its rain shadow position due east of the highest peaks in the coastal range. Sunnymount straddles the border between Benton and Lane counties. The vineyard has grown to 138 acres, planted mostly to Pinot Noir, with 7 distinct clones of rootstocks carefully matched to the planting location. In 2004, the winery began full production of Pinot Gris. Benton-Lane is distributed throughout the U.S. and various international markets, and continues to be highly regarded for its exceptional crafted wines, showing off the amazing capabilities of the Willamette Valley.
TASTING NOTES
The early spring and warm growing season allowed early flavor development. The wines burst with black cherry, cola, cranberry and a subtle floral nature akin to rose petals. The rains brought the overly extractive fruit notes and alcohol back into balance. The resulting wine is seductively drinkable. There is a unique chocolate flavor in the wine that we don’t normally see. This wine is what I think Oregon Pinot Noir should aspire to: well sculpted, sexy, and spicy and a joy to drink.
Wine Profile
Wines
From Benton-Lane
Estate Pinot Gris
Estate Pinot Noir
