Beaux Frères is one of the most critically acclaimed wineries in Oregon. Not only is Beaux Frères producing impressive expressions of Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, it is also co-owned by arguably the most famous wine critic in the world, Robert Parker.
The Upper Terrace Vineyard Pinot Noir is always the most noble of the wines from Beaux Frères, has the highest potential for greatness and is always a very limited production of less than 600 cases. It can easily age for 15 plus years. so with 11 years on the clock this magnificent Pinot Noir is starting to hit its straps! Ruby hued, this wine exhibits notes of red currants and sandy, loamy undertones. Medium bodied, spicebox, Christmas fruitcake and herbs. There is a depth and richness normally to be found in this vineyard planted to Dijon clones. This vintage shows a different side of this vineyard, one of elegance and light: the fruit profile is more one of red fruit than the normal dark fruit typical of this vineyard.
The Upper Terrace Vineyard is planted on a steep South facing slope to Pinot Noir Dijon clones 113, 114, 115, 667, and 777 on three different rootstocks. The site has sedimentary soils and a slightly higher elevation than the original Beaux Frères vineyard.