At a glance

Producer

Denison Cellars

Region

Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Fruity

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$28-$38 USD (2024 market, secondary/auction values may be higher for optimal cellared bottles)

Tasting profile

Notes of dried cherry, cranberry, forest floor, tobacco leaf, subtle herbal and baking spice. Subdued red fruit, earthy complexity, and integrated oak.

Evolution: Primary fruit notes nearly gone, replaced by tertiary/earthy elements. Vibrant acidity remains.

At peak: At or just past peak: most bottles will show their best through mid-2024, with graceful aging possible but no further flavor development expected.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high, providing freshness even in maturity.

Tannins

Silky, integrated—light to medium structure as typical for Willamette Pinot Noir.

Alcohol

Approximately 13.2%-13.5% ABV (typical for producer/vintage).

Aging potential

Approaching end of recommended aging; may decline after 2024 but gracefully.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2017 to 2021

Optimal window

2015 to 2023

Current status

Near end of optimal window, drinking well now—should be consumed soon.

Current condition

Mature. Tertiary notes (dried fruit, forest floor, mushroom) have emerged, with diminishing fresh fruit, but structure remains harmonious if well-stored.

The 2013 Willamette Pinots are elegant but not for extreme longevity; this wine peaked mid-2017 to 2021 and has gracefully matured, but further cellaring brings risk of fruit and freshness loss. Tertiary, earthy notes now dominate—best to enjoy soon.

Food pairing

Roast duck, mushroom risotto, cedar plank salmon, charcuterie, or aged Gruyère. Classic for earthy, mature Pinot Noir styles.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Denison Cellars participates in LIVE (Low Input Viticulture & Enology) certification, emphasizing reduced chemical usage, integrated pest management, and biodiversity in vineyards. They source fruit from growers using sustainable farming. Winery energy usage is moderate, with growing attention to efficiency. Water use is minimized through efficient cleaning and processing. Packaging uses lighter bottles to reduce transportation impact.

Denison Cellars demonstrates strong sustainable practices for a small Oregon producer, particularly as part of the region's LIVE program. Its use of sustainably-grown fruit, responsible water and energy management, and lighter packaging are significant positives. However, without organic or biodynamic certification and with some reliance on distributed growers, its practices are strong but not at the pinnacle of current global standards. Overall, Denison Cellars Pinot Noir 2013 reflects a meaningful, regionally aligned commitment to environmental responsibility and offers a lower-than-average carbon footprint when purchased and consumed close to the source.