2023 Kelley Fox “Mirabai” Pinot Noir is Ridiculously Good!
Kelley Fox is a producer we admire greatly, and after one sip of the devilishly delicious 2023 "Mirabai" Pinot Noir, and you'll know why. Seriously, the 2023 Mirabai is an instant classic you can't put down!
This wine is silky, complex, and packed with wonderful Oregon Pinot flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, purple flowers, baking spice, and a hint of red earth. We summed up our notes by calling it "plain delicious," and we can’t wait for you to taste it!
Check out our full notes on Kelley's "Mirabai" below, and make sure to scroll down for one last chance at a sensational sub-$50 Oregon Pinot Noir from Jim Anderson at Patricia Green Cellars. Read on for the rest of the story, then quickly click the Big Green Button to bring home some Pinot perfection!
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2023 Kelley Fox "Mirabai" Pinot Noir
Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
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We love Kelley Fox and what she produces in Oregon, especially her perfectly-priced "Mirabai" Pinot Noir. In the highly-touted Willamette Valley 2023 vintage, Kelley nailed it, bottling a beautiful Dundee Hills Pinot you cannot miss!
Though young and worth trying over the next several years, this wine is drinking deliciously now, especially with a few hours in the decanter. Dense, layered, and complex aromas and flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, violets, vanilla, baking spice, and red earth. Finishing on dark cherry fruits that are long and very satisfying, with a lifted, bright, chewy finale. This vintage is one of Mirabai's more forwardly delicious bottlings that we've yet tasted, and that is why we're a very solid 92+ Points.
The following strong, straightforward review from Wine Advocate is a bit technical but extremely important because it tells us WHY this wine is so good - the vineyards! Kelley is putting some incredible fruit into Mirabai, and it's worth pointing out that all the fruit comes from great old vine vineyards in the sub-region of Dundee Hills. Outstanding at this price!
"Despite its modest price point, the 2023 Pinot Noir Mirabai (a barrel selection) comes from some of the top vineyards in the Dundee Hills. Fifty-two percent comes from own-rooted vines in the Weber Vineyard planted in 1983; 28% comes from Stater Vineyard, where vines were planted on rootstock in 1990; 11% comes from own-rooted vines planted in 1974 and 1984 in Durant Vineyard; and 9% comes from own-rooted vines planted from 1970 to 1988 in the Maresh Vineyard. It was fermented with around 15% whole clusters, and the wine was matured for 10 months in used French oak. It has ringing aromas of rhubarb, blackberry, raspberry, lavender and Angostura bitters, offering botanical undertones as it airs in the glass. The light-bodied palate is vibrant and expressive with wonderfully perfumed fruit, chalky tannins and a long, tremendously layered finish. 1,808 cases were made. Drink Date: 2025 - 2040."
- 93 Points, Wine Advocate (12/19/2024)
We found a median price of $43.50. As you'd expect, we're several bucks less. Grab a handful or more to drink now and over the next 15 years!
Vin Chicago Price: 37.99
2021 Patricia Green "Freedom Hill - Wadensvil Clone" Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, Oregon
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With only 236 cases produced, the 2021 Patricia Green "Freedom Hill - Wadensvil Clone" bottling is a small-batch Oregon Pinot Noir masterclass. And this is your last chance to grab a few bottles of this 96-Point stunner!
“While still containing the full textural experience of Freedom Hill this [Wadensvil Clone bottling] has a sense of calm to it that the wilder wines from here do not have. This is full on and demure at the same time. No doubt this wine will last for years and years.”
- Jim Anderson, Proprietor
The "Wadensvil Clone" bottling is one of seven Pinot Noirs that Jim Anderson and the Patricia Green Cellars team made in the excellent 2021 vintage from the legendary Freedom Hill Vineyard. Full, velvety, sultry, and sophisticated, this high-quality Pinot Noir weaves deep flavors of red and black berries, wildflowers, and spicy wood. Its structure would not be out of place in a top-level Burgundy, and, as proprietor Jim Anderson alludes to in his notes, it will be very long-lived, just getting better and better over the years. Check out Jeb's 96-Point review...
"The ruby-purple 2021 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard Wadensvil Clone Block takes on notes of wild herbs, blackberry, and pine sap. Richly textured, with deep concentration ripe tannins, and a long finish, it feels complete. Drink 2025-2040."
- 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (9/17/2023)
We've tasted this wine three times over the last year and will confidently tell you it is one of the best sub-$50 Pinot Noirs you'll ever try. Get them before they disappear for good!
Vin Chicago Price: 45.99
