Fine Lineup From King Estate
Once known chiefly for its commitment to Pinot Gris, King Estate now covers the field
Still family-owned and run by the third generation, King Estate is Oregon’s largest biodynamically-farmed winery. They make dozens of wines, principally Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, but also such rare (for Oregon) varietals as Sauvignon Blanc and Gruner Veltliner. I did an extensive tasting of current releases, and have featured a few as special selections on paulgwine.com.
Here are all the reviews, with scores.
King Estate 2021 Pinot Gris
From the nation's pre-eminent producer of Pinot Gris comes this generous and immaculate new release. It's sappy and fresh, with a crisp minerality undercoating green apple, cucumber and grapefruit flavors. Finished with a screwcap and widely available, I can think of no better white wine for your wintertime enjoyment. 110000 cases; 13.3%; $19 (Willamette Valley) 92/100
King Estate 2021 Domaine Pinot Gris
This is an estate reserve, all biodynamic grapes, fermented in stainless steel and aged six months sur lie prior to bottling. It's just out and feels as though it is still pulling all its pieces into focus. Leesy and loaded with citrus flesh and rind, supported with sassy acids, the exceptional depth and texture suggest that this will cellar for up to a decade. 2000 cases; 12.9%; $30 (Willamette Valley) 92+/100
King Estate 2021 Chardonnay
Pretty standard stuff. Lightly buttery (partial malo), lightly toasty (15% new) and delivering stone fruits in a solid core. Oregon Chardonnays set a pretty high standard across the board. This is fair value for the price. 4400 cases; 13.4%; $22 (Willamette Valley) 88/100
King Estate 2021 Havlin Vineyard Grüner Veltliner
A handful of Oregon wineries have jumped in with versions of this Austrian grape. Among the best are recent releases from Reustle, Sineann, Raptor Ridge and now King Estate. This is crisp and phenolic, with mixed citrus and slate highlights. There's a sprinkle of white pepper and the textured palate invites a deep dive to suss out the touches of this and that here and there (those, my friends, are technical terms). This is a lively addition to the King Estate portfolio. 135 cases; 13.5%; $24 (Willamette Valley) 93/100
King Estate 2021 Inscription Pinot Noir
Oregon has just a handful of wineries that can produce classic Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at this price in such quantities. Coming out of the difficult 2020 vintage, 2021 was a relief, with good fruit in large quantities. This won't make your socks roll up, but it will tempt you to pour that second and third glass as it's an easy-drinking, balanced and true-to-variety effort. 40000 cases; 13.2%; $20 (Willamette Valley) 90/100
King Estate 2018 NEXT Red
This value blend hits hard and fast with a big burst of herries and mint, vanilla and bourbon tea, tobacco and blueberry pie. The 2018 vintage was good from the start, and the extra bottle age only makes this wine better. The blend is 40% Syrah, 40% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from unnamed Washington state vineyards (likely Weinbau and Bacchus). Aged 10 months in one quarter new oak, at this price, it's a steal. 6000 cases; 13.5%; $15 (Columbia Valley) 89/100