2023 Benmar 'Pino' Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

If a wine could tell a story, Benmar 'Pino' Pinot Noir 2023 would be one worth listening to. This bottle isn’t just about Pinot Noir—it’s about passion, place, and precision. Crafted by Greg Bybee, a winemaker whose journey has taken him from the legendary Rochioli Vineyards to the halls of the Culinary Institute of America, this wine is the culmination of years spent perfecting the art of winemaking.

Greg didn’t just wake up one day and decide to make wine—his love for the craft runs deep, shaped by experiences working alongside some of the most respected names in the industry. Benmar, named after his children Bennett and Marecca, is more than a winery. It’s a tribute to family, legacy, and a relentless pursuit of quality.

For this vintage, he turned to two of Willamette Valley’s most prestigious vineyards, each with a reputation for producing world-class fruit. The majority, 85%, comes from a vineyard in the heart of Dundee Hills, just below the revered NYSA vineyard—an area known for its signature red volcanic soils that give the wine its characteristic depth, vibrancy, and unmistakable minerality. The remaining 15% is sourced from the Cattrall Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, an organically farmed site that adds lift, structure, and a floral complexity that takes this wine to the next level.

With only 100 cases produced, this is the kind of wine that disappears quickly—both in the market and in the glass. It’s built to evolve gracefully over the years, but let’s be honest: waiting is optional.

The name Pino is inspired by the Greek word meaning "to imbibe", which perfectly captures its purpose. This is a wine meant to be shared, to be savored, and to bring people together. Whether it’s poured alongside a beautifully cooked meal or simply enjoyed in a quiet moment of appreciation, this is Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at its finest.

Aging: 18 months in 40% new French oak

100% Pinot Noir. From the first swirl in the glass, Pino draws you in with bright aromas of wild strawberries, red cherries, and rose petals, layered with hints of cinnamon, damp earth, and a whisper of forest floor. It’s vibrant and expressive, yet undeniably elegant. On the palate, flavors of blackcap raspberries, licorice fern, and cedar unfold with silky precision, balanced by a backbone of fresh acidity and refined tannins. There’s a distinct brininess that lingers—a hallmark of Dundee Hills fruit—complemented by a touch of spiced oak and the subtle, grounding presence of basalt minerality.

Dark bing cherry and raspberry fruits, with notes of deep forest underbrush, conifer, rose petals, and sweet loamy earth. Medium to full- bodied, featuring apple-skin tannins and crunchy pomegranate nuances, smoky clove, allspice, star anise, and pressed violets. Expressive, with a balanced tension and purity of flavours – indeed a remarkable wine for only its second vintage by winemaker Greg Bybee. ~96 Decanter

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