Ermisch Cellars 2023 Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

Producer Info

• Ermisch Cellars is the boutique Oregon winemaking venture by founder and owner Kirk Ermisch, built on decades of international wine and import experience. Operating out of a boutique facility in Bend, OR, they craft small-lot, hand-made Pinot Noirs from grapes sourced out of the Willamette Valley and Cabernets from grapes sourced out of Washington state… with an emphasis on terroir, balance, and artisanal care from vineyard pickup to final bottling.

Vintage: 2023 | Wine Type: Red Wine
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Origin: Oregon, USA | Appellation: Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley

The Chehalem Mountains AVA, established in 2006, is a mountainous upland in northern Oregon’s Willamette Valley — stretching about 20 miles long and 5 miles wide, with its highest point at Bald Peak (1,633 ft). The region is defined by its rich soil diversity — volcanic rock, marine‑sedimentary soil, and wind‑blown loess — which together allow vineyards across varied elevations (roughly 200–1,000 ft) and exposures. Its cool‑climate conditions and terrain foster elegant, terroir‑driven wines, most notably Pinot Noir: expect wines ranging from bright, cherry‑ and strawberry‑driven in cooler vintages to darker, more layered fruit and mineral‑tinged profiles in warmer years. 2023 in Chehalem/Willamette was characterized by stable, favorable conditions — offering growers good yields and the potential for wines with vibrancy, balance, and pronounced fruit expression.

Elaboration: With hand harvested clone 777 grapes, fermentation was carried out using native yeast, native malolactic, and no acid additions. The grapes were destemmed and punched down twice daily for 15 days. The wine was then drained via gravity into light toast and neutral French oak barrels. Aged 10 months before blending. 2100 bottles produced.
Winemaker: Kirk Ermisch 

 Tasting Notes

Brilliant garnet in color. Fresh red fruit aromas of cranberry along with baking spice and an earthy, spicy undertone. On the palate, flavors of pomegranate and white pepper convene with truffle, and soft yet present tannins make for a lingering finish.

Technical Data

Production: 175 cases | Alcohol: 14% | TA: 5.7 g/l | Residual Sugar: <0.1 g/l | pH: 3.55

Press & Points (Ermisch Cellars produced Pinot Noirs)
2021 – 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast, “Cellar Selection”
2020 – 96 Points, Wine Enthusiast, “Editor’s Choice”
2020 – 90 Points, James Suckling
2019 – 92 Points, James Suckling