Failla Wilamette Pinot Noir

Failla Willamette Pinot Noir is a 750ml, 100% Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley bottled at approximately 13.8% ABV. The 2022 vintage earned 94 points from James Suckling, and the 2018 vintage was named #51 on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 list for 2020, receiving an Editors' Choice designation.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.8%  |  Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon  |  Style: Multi-Vineyard Blend  |  Producer: Failla Wines

Production & Heritage

Failla Wines is a California-based producer led by winemaker Ehren Jordan, who sources fruit from four distinct vineyard sites across the northern Willamette Valley: Amity Hills, Seven Springs, Björnson, and Eola Springs. These sites span diverse terroirs across the Chehalem Mountains and Eola-Amity Hills sub-appellations, contributing layered complexity from mature vines. The wine undergoes native yeast fermentation with 25% whole cluster inclusion, then ages 14 months sur lie in French oak barrels—only 10% new—before being bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving the fruit's natural character and textural depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Red earth and savory dried herbs lead into brighter layers of pomegranate, orange zest, and rose petal. A subtle mineral thread ties the bouquet together, signaling the wine's vineyard-driven identity.

Taste: The entry is bright and lifted, with dried cranberry and fresh cherry giving way to brambly red berries and a distinct mushroom-like savoriness at mid-palate. Mouth-watering acidity provides structure, while chalky, well-integrated tannins carry hints of toasted hazelnut and espresso from the restrained oak program.

Finish: Medium in length with a savory, mineral-tinged close. Lingering notes of dried herbs, pomegranate seed, and fine-grained tannin leave a polished, contemplative impression.

How to Drink Failla Willamette

This Pinot Noir is built for the glass—serve it slightly below room temperature (58–62°F) to let the aromatic complexity fully unfold. It drinks beautifully neat, and a brief 20–30 minute decant opens up the whole-cluster spice. For cocktail-adjacent applications: try it in a classic Pinot Noir Sangria with stone fruit, orange peel, and a rosemary sprig to echo the wine's herbal aromatics; a New York Sour, where the cranberry-driven acidity floats beautifully atop bourbon; or a simple Kir variation using crème de mûre, which amplifies the brambly berry character.

Best For

• Gifting an Oregon wine enthusiast exploring top Willamette Valley producers
• Pairing with a fall or winter dinner party featuring roasted game or mushroom dishes
• Building a Pinot Noir comparative tasting across California and Oregon expressions
• Cellaring short-term (3–7 years) to track how the whole-cluster component evolves

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Failla Willamette taste like? It is a medium- to light-bodied Pinot Noir dominated by dried cranberry, pomegranate, and rose petal aromatics, with a savory undercurrent of fresh mushroom, dried herbs, and earthy minerality. The acidity is bright and mouth-watering, framed by chalky, fine-grained tannins.

How does Failla Willamette compare to Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir? Both are multi-vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, but Failla leans more toward a whole-cluster-inflected, native-yeast style with minimal new oak (10%), giving it a more savory, earth-driven profile. Domaine Drouhin Oregon, rooted in Burgundian winemaking tradition, typically presents a rounder, more fruit-forward character with a different oak regimen.

Is Failla Willamette good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its layered aromatics, balanced acidity, and restrained oak treatment make it a rewarding neat pour, especially when served at cellar temperature with a short decant.

Where is Failla Willamette made? The fruit is sourced from four vineyards in Oregon's northern Willamette Valley—Amity Hills, Seven Springs, Björnson, and Eola Springs—spanning the Eola-Amity Hills and Chehalem Mountains sub-appellations. Failla Wines is led by winemaker Ehren Jordan.

What foods pair well with Failla Willamette? Roasted duck breast complements the wine's earthy, herbal complexity. Wild mushroom risotto mirrors the savory mid-palate. Grilled salmon with cranberry relish echoes the fruit profile. Aged Gruyère or Comté highlight the chalky tannin structure. Herb-crusted pork loin works well with the dried-herb aromatics.

What sizes does Failla Willamette come in? Failla Willamette Pinot Noir is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Failla Willamette worth the price? Failla Willamette positions as a mid-premium Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, and its multi-vineyard sourcing from top-tier sites, 94-point James Suckling score, and Wine Enthusiast Top 100 recognition place it firmly among the best values at its tier. The unfined, unfiltered bottling and native-yeast fermentation reflect a level of winemaking ambition that justifies its standing.

Why Failla Willamette?

What sets this wine apart is Ehren Jordan's specific vineyard selection—four distinct Willamette Valley sites chosen for their terroir diversity and vine maturity, blended to create a single, complex cuvée. The 25% whole-cluster fermentation with native yeast adds a savory, spice-driven dimension uncommon at this price point, while the 10% new French oak ensures the fruit and earth speak louder than barrel influence. A 94-point James Suckling score and a place on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 confirm that this is not a generic regional blend but a carefully composed expression of northern Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at a high level.