Holloran Le Pavillon Pinot Noir

I usually go for bigger California Pinots, but the earthy mushroom and forest floor notes from these old Willamette vines really won me over. Silky soft fruit with a long, complex finish.

The earthy notes of forest floor and mushroom really come through, giving this wine a complexity that's rare for a Pinot under $50. It's smooth and soft on the palate, exactly what I hoped from a single biodynamic vineyard.

Opened this with some hesitation because Oregon Pinots can be hit or miss, but this one nails it—that distinct forest floor and mushroom note is exactly what I look for. The fruit is beautifully soft, not jammy at all, and you can really taste the age of those vines. Already bought a second bottle.