Four Graces Pinot Noir

Four Graces Pinot Noir is a 100% Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2017 vintage earned 93 points from Wine Spectator, and the 2023 vintage took Double Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition — a track record of critical recognition that underscores the winery's consistency across multiple harvests.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Winery: The Four Graces (Foley Family)

Production & Heritage

The Four Graces is situated in Oregon's acclaimed Dundee Hills and is owned by Bill Foley through the Foley Family portfolio. The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is sourced from multiple estate and partner sites, most notably the Foley Estate in the Dundee Hills — one of the winery's earliest-ripening vineyards — and Doe Ridge in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, which contributes darker fruit and violet aromatics. Primary fermentation runs 12 to 14 days, after which the wine is pressed and transferred to French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. It ages approximately nine months in French oak, with roughly 15% new barrels — enough to lend structure without masking site character. This multi-AVA blending approach draws on the distinct microclimates of Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton to build complexity that a single-site bottling might not achieve on its own.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry and red raspberry lead the nose, followed by hints of baking spice and rich dark chocolate. Deeper in the glass, subtle loam and pomegranate undertones emerge, reflecting the wine's diverse vineyard origins.

Taste: The entry is bright with cherry and raspberry fruit, immediately focused and vibrant. At mid-palate, cranberry and pomegranate notes weave in alongside earthy spiciness, while generous, fine-grained tannins provide structure without harshness. Black tea and loam add savory depth toward the peak, balancing the fruit-forward character.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish lingers with dark cherry, a faint echo of French oak, and a touch of black tea. The tannins remain polished through the close, leaving a clean and lightly spiced impression.

How to Drink Four Graces Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is best served at 58–62°F in a wide-bowled glass to let its aromatics open fully. It shows well on its own and doesn't demand decanting, though 20 minutes of air won't hurt a younger vintage.

• Burgundy-style cocktail (Pinot Noir Spritz): The wine's bright acidity and red fruit hold up beautifully against a splash of sparkling water and a citrus twist for a lighter warm-weather serve.
• New York Sour: The cherry-forward profile layers naturally over bourbon and lemon, adding depth and color to this classic whiskey sour variation.
• Sangria: Its pomegranate and berry notes make it an excellent base for a red sangria with fresh stone fruit and a cinnamon stick.

Best For

• Introducing someone to premium Oregon Pinot Noir without sticker shock
• Pairing with a roasted duck or mushroom risotto dinner
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Willamette Valley producers
• Building a comparative tasting flight of Oregon vs. Burgundy Pinot Noir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Four Graces Pinot Noir taste like? It leads with bright cherry and raspberry fruit, layered with earthy notes of loam and black tea, and framed by fine-grained tannins and moderate French oak influence. The overall impression is fruit-forward yet balanced, with a medium-length finish.

How does Four Graces Pinot Noir compare to Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir? Both are well-regarded Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, but Four Graces blends fruit from multiple AVAs — Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton — while Domaine Drouhin draws primarily from its own Dundee Hills estate. Four Graces tends to present a slightly broader fruit profile from its multi-site sourcing, whereas Domaine Drouhin often emphasizes a more Burgundian, single-estate focus.

Is Four Graces Pinot Noir good for sipping neat? Yes — its polished tannins, bright acidity, and layered fruit make it a natural choice for drinking on its own, especially at cellar temperature around 58–62°F.

Where is Four Graces Pinot Noir made? It is produced by The Four Graces winery in the Dundee Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Fruit is sourced from estate and partner vineyards across the Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton AVAs, both recognized sub-appellations within the broader Willamette Valley.

What foods pair well with Four Graces Pinot Noir? Roasted duck pairs exceptionally well, as the wine's acidity and cherry fruit cut through the richness. Wild mushroom risotto mirrors the loamy, earthy undertones. Grilled salmon works thanks to the wine's balanced tannins and bright acidity. Aged Gruyère complements the subtle oak and spice notes. Herb-crusted pork tenderloin finds common ground with the wine's baking spice and red fruit character.

What sizes does Four Graces Pinot Noir come in? The standard release is widely available in 750ml bottles.

Is Four Graces Pinot Noir worth the price? Four Graces positions as a mid-premium Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, sitting above entry-level Oregon offerings but well below single-vineyard reserve bottlings. Given its multi-AVA complexity, French oak aging, and consistent critical scores — including 93 points from Wine Spectator — it represents strong value within the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir category.

Why Four Graces Pinot Noir?

What separates this wine from many Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs at a similar price point is the deliberate blending of fruit from two distinct AVAs — Dundee Hills for elegance and early-ripening expressiveness, and Yamhill-Carlton for darker fruit intensity and structural backbone. The result is a layered wine that doesn't lean on heavy oak or extraction. Multiple vintages have earned 93-point scores from Wine Spectator, and the 2023 took Double Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition, reflecting a consistency that suggests strong winemaking decisions rather than single-vintage luck. For anyone seeking a reliable, food-friendly Oregon Pinot Noir with genuine site-driven complexity, Four Graces delivers year after year.