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Firesteed Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2014

It has been 9 days since our trip to Oregon, where we were blown away with the quality and diversity of Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley.  Since our arrival home, we have tried a couple of Oregon Pinot Noir wines available locally in the under $20 category but they have been disappointing and we do not plan to buy them again.  Clearly, we cannot afford to buy high quality, small production $50 wines as our everyday wines.

It was at this point, that I remembered reading on another blog about Firesteed Willamette Valley Pinot Noir being highly rated and available at Costco for$10.49.  I set out on a field trip to Costco but it was not there.  I think I remember previously seeing it at Trader Joe's but I went directly to Total Wine and purchased it for $12.29 - more than Costco but still a very good price.

Firesteed Pinot Noir is mostly aged in stainless steel tamks with a small percentage of oak aged wine added to  the final blend.  This results in an easy drinking, medium bodied wine with bright cherry and berry flavors.  You are primed for those flavors before you drink by the aroma and cherry color in the glass.  This is a terrific, tasty wine which delivers far more than you would expect for such a low price.

Firesteed Cellars is owned by Vintage Wine Estates, a group of over 30 wine brands including Cameron Hughes and BR Cohn.  We did not visit their tasting room in Oregon although we drove past it on our route to another winery.  Too many wineries and so little time!

Note that the Firesteed Pinot Noir  which we purchased at Total Wine was the 2014 vintage and the Firesteed Pinot Noir that was available at some Costcos was 2015.  Wine Enthusiast magazine rated the 2015 much higher than the 2014 but I really enjoyed the 2014.

SC Wine Joe rating = 90 points.

UPDATE:  My neighbors may buy this wine at Wine Xpress for $10.99


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