On the first day of our wine-tasting adventure in the Willamette Valley, we had the pleasure of visiting Kelley Fox Wines, Martin Woods Winery, and X Novo. Their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays were absolutely delightful and set a high standard for the rest of our wine-tasting weekend. I look forward to sharing all of my reviews and ratings from all the tastings upon my return to Florida. Stay tuned!
Martin Woods Winery
2022 Pearlside Vineyard Chardonnay – Martin Woods (Eola-Amity Hills)
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Slightly buttery oak, vanilla, citrus, mineral.
Characteristics: Aged in a mix of French and Oregon oak. Marine soil gives salinity. Bright, clean, crisp, and rounded out beautifully.
Pairing: Dungeness crab, lemon chicken, or oysters with mignonette.
My Rating: 96+ points
2021 Jessie James Vineyard Pinot Noir – Martin Woods
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Smoky, tobacco, red and black fruit, leather, spice, clove, pepper.
Characteristics: Deep garnet color. Clean, clear, smooth, and complex. Earthy with a long finish. Volcanic soil.
Pairing: Grilled lamb, porcini risotto, or pepper-rubbed duck breast.
My Rating: 97 points
2021 Koosah Vineyard Chardonnay – Martin Woods
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Apple, green citrus, mineral, vanilla, oak.
Characteristics: Less oak than others. Clean, crisp, smooth, and beautifully balanced. Bright acidity with rounded edges.
Pairing: Scallop ceviche, lemon ricotta ravioli, or white asparagus with hollandaise.
My Rating: 97+ points
2022 Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Smoky, tobacco, red and black fruit.
Characteristics: Lighter ruby color, clear. Youthful and bright with some structure.
Pairing: Smoked salmon, grilled portobello burgers, or mushroom tart.
My Rating: 92 points
2018 Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, ripe red fruit, tobacco, baking spice, and thyme.
Characteristics: Smooth, balanced, full-bodied, and complex. Fuller-bodied with clarity and acidity. A standout vintage.
Pairing: Braised short ribs, duck breast with cherry sauce, or aged cheddar.
My Rating: 98 points
2021 Koosah Vineyard Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Red and dark fruit, baking spice, slight pepper, and tobacco.
Characteristics: Balanced, elegant, with aging potential. Expected to improve significantly in coming years.
Pairing: Spiced lamb chops, charred beets, or lentil and mushroom ragù.
My Rating: 96 points
2022 Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Red and dark fruit, leather.
Characteristics: Smooth, round, soft fruit-forward. Balanced and elegant. From the west-facing area of the vineyard.
Pairing: Herb-crusted pork loin, mushroom risotto, or roast chicken with thyme.
My Rating: 95 points
2023 Gamay Noir – Tualatin Estate
Varietal: Gamay Noir
Tasting Notes: Spice (clove), pepper, dark and red fruit, vanilla, oak, leather, hazelnut.
Characteristics: Whole cluster fermentation. Layered and earthy. Hazelnuts and goat cheese enhance the earthy, leathery notes, while raspberries highlight the fruit side.
Pairing: Goat cheese tart, grilled duck breast, or mushroom pâté.
My Rating: 95+ points
2022 Syrah – Rocks District
Varietal: Syrah
Tasting Notes: Dark garnet purple hue. Pepper, clove.
Characteristics: Richly spiced with a bold, aromatic structure.
Pairing: Smoked brisket, lamb kebabs, or roasted eggplant with tahini.
My Rating: 94 points
2018 Riesling Noble Rot – Hyland Vineyard
Varietal: Riesling (Noble Rot)
Tasting Notes: Petroleum, golden yellow fruit.
Characteristics: Clear, golden-yellow hue. Not your usual style, but deliciously rich. Sweetness balanced well by rich goat cheese.
Pairing: Blue cheese, pâté, or foie gras.
My Rating: 93 points
2019 Yamhill Valley Chardonnay
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Mineral, saline, caramel, oak, citrus, petrol.
Characteristics: Pale yellow in color. Smooth, rounded, and acidic with a distinctive petrol note and bright salinity.
Pairing: Crab bisque, lemon sole, or roasted cauliflower with tahini.
My Rating: 96 points
2015 Viña Cubillo – Rioja
Varietal: Likely Tempranillo-based blend (as is typical of Viña Cubillo)
Tasting Notes: Dark fruit, garnet fruit profile.
Characteristics: Classic Rioja style—mature, complex, fruit-driven with likely savory depth.
Pairing: Lamb chops, Manchego cheese, or grilled chorizo.
My Rating: 94 points
Kelley Fox
2022 Maresh Vineyard “Liminal” Pinot Noir – Kelley Fox Wines
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Red berry, cranberry, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, rhubarb, red licorice.
Characteristics: Beautiful ruby, clear color. Bright, elegant, smooth, and acidic. Slightly more earthy with deep color and a hint of leather. From the second-oldest vines in Dundee.
Pairing: Herb-roasted duck, beet and goat cheese salad, or mushroom galette.
My Rating: 94 points
2022 Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Cranberry, cola, blueberry, leather, and earth. Ruby color.
Characteristics: Candy-like quality, juicy, and acidic. Bright and expressive.
Pairing: Glazed ham, duck with cranberry sauce, or beetroot carpaccio.
My Rating: 95 points
2022 Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, blackberry, black raspberry, leather.
Characteristics: Darker ruby/garnet color, full-mouth feel. Tannic, smooth, and structured with marine soil influence. Whole cluster fermentation.
Pairing: Venison roast, lamb tagine, or mushroom and lentil stew.
My Rating: 96 points
2021 Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Red and black fruit, strawberry, violet, cherry, floral notes.
Characteristics: Smooth, earthy, with mineral lift. Balanced, less acidic. Velvet texture and elegant structure.
Pairing: Roast pork loin, mushroom risotto, or herbed goat cheese tart.
My Rating: 96 points
2022 Maresh “Golden Crowned Sparrow Blocks” Pinot Noir – Kelley Fox Wines
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Red fruit, cherry, clove, pepper, spice.
Characteristics: Grown on volcanic soil (loam/clay). Juicy, slightly sweet, fruity on the front of the tongue. Described as “really good — like a Jolly Rancher.”
Pairing: Glazed pork, spicy duck breast, or cherry-balsamic beet salad.
My Rating: 95 points
2023 Nerthus – Kelley Fox Wines (Muscat & Pinot Noir blend)
Varietal: Muscat & Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Strawberry, citrus, grapefruit, perfumy and floral.
Characteristics: Stalkless, clear with a slight pink hue. Light, bright, fruity, acidic. Hints of effervescence.
Pairing: Summer salads, goat cheese with grapefruit segments, or Thai basil spring rolls.
My Rating: 91 points
2022 Chardonnay – Durant Vineyard (100% Concrete, Chablis Style)
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Citrus, mineral, honey, stone fruit.
Characteristics: Acidic, saline, tropical notes, smooth and bright. Beautifully balanced with Chablis-like structure.
Pairing: Scallop crudo, lemon thyme chicken, or goat cheese and pear salad.
My Rating: 95 points
2023 Dux Vineyard Chardonnay (Steel & Barrel-aged)
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Citrus, lemon, stone fruit, apple. Hints of oak and slight vanilla.
Characteristics: Feminine, smooth, balanced, and almost Sancerre-like in quality.
Pairing: Crab cakes, lemon pasta, or grilled white fish.
My Rating: 94 points
2023 Mirabai Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Cranberry, tart cherry pie, cola, and red fruit.
Characteristics: Ruby garnet color with a subtle purple hue. Bright and expressive with tart vibrancy.
Pairing: Roast turkey with cranberry compote, grilled salmon, or beet and chèvre tart.
My Rating: 94 points
X NOVO
2019 X Novo Chardonnay (Not released)
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, oak, clean and elegant. Balanced and smooth with notes of petroleum, minerals, salinity, and citrus.
Characteristics: Refined and polished.
Pairing: Butter-poached lobster, roast chicken with lemon, or triple cream brie.
My Rating: 94 points
2020 / 2021 X Novo Chardonnay
Varietal: Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Crisp and acidic. Notes of citrus and green apple, with oak and vanilla.
Characteristics: Bright and bracing, less petroleum than the 2019.
Pairing: Grilled sea bass, lemon risotto, or baked goat cheese tart.
My Rating: 97 points
2021 X Novo Pinot Noir (27 cases made)
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: Lovely nose. Blackberry, black fruit, clove, garnet, red cherry, pomegranate, red fruit.
Characteristics: High acid, little oak, vanilla, leather. Needs air. Dreamy potential with age.
Pairing: Duck with cherry sauce, mushroom tagliatelle, or roasted beet salad.
My Rating: 96 points
