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Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir 2021

ID No: 449496
Our Price: $80.00 $68.00
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 95 Points
Country:United States
Region:Oregon
Winery:Holocene Wines
Grape Type:Pinot Noir
Vintage:2021
Bottle Size:750 ml
Product Description

Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. 

Holocene Pinot Noir Memorialis is a blend of 777, Pommard and 115 clones from MonksGate vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, and it saw about 20% new French oak for 16 months prior to bottling. It is always the lighter and more feminine of the two Holocene wines, with red fruits, white flowers, dried herbs, mushroom and forest floor aromatics, bright acidity and a lithe texture, long finish.

By now, everyone knows that the Willamette Valley is an amazing place to grow Pinot Noir. When I relocated from Napa Valley to partner up with Force Majeure Vineyards, I knew I also wanted to start a project where I could focus attention on a varietal and growing region that I loved. Part of the excitement of being in the Pacific Northwest is the ability to have access to so many amazing vineyards and so much diversity, along with the opportunity to push boundaries and try new things – something that is becoming increasingly difficult in other growing regions. 

We partner up with a few very small, diverse and amazing vineyards in the Willamette Valley, sourcing fruit from these dry-farmed sites that emphasize low yields, sustainable practices and produce outstanding fruit.

The wines are crafted in the same way I have been making wine since I was carrying it out at Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley — utilizing very low-impact, non-industrial techniques, native yeasts, little extraction and little new oak, and never filtering or fining. This allows a real sense of place to show through in the wines that is often dimmed when too much manipulation is undertaken.

Our first vintage was 2015, and was released in early 2017. As production is currently extremely small, the best way to get the wines into your hands is to join our mailing list at the “Mailing List” link above to receive an allocation when we have a release. We release wines once per year, and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis, shipped straight to your door.

Review:

The 2021 Pinot Noir Memorialis is more complete and layered, with beautiful ripe cherry and redcurrant fruit as well as spice box, dried, smoky herbs, and savory flower-like aromas and flavors. Textured, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it has the fruit and texture to shine even today yet the density and structure to evolve for 10-12 years as well.

Winery: Holocene Wines

By now, everyone knows that the Willamette Valley is an amazing place to grow Pinot Noir. When Todd Alexander relocated from Napa Valley to partner up with Force Majeure Vineyards, he knew he also wanted to start a project where he could focus attention on a varietal and growing region that he loved. Part of the excitement of being in the Pacific Northwest is the ability to have access to so many amazing vineyards and so much diversity, along with the opportunity to push boundaries and try new things – something that is becoming increasingly difficult in other growing regions.

He partners up with a few very small, diverse and amazing vineyards in the Willamette Valley, sourcing fruit from these dry-farmed sites that emphasize low yields, sustainable practices and produce outstanding fruit.

The wines are crafted in the same way Todd has been making wine since he was carrying it out at Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley — utilizing very low-impact, non-industrial techniques, native yeasts, little extraction and little new oak, and never filtering or fining. This allows a real sense of place to show through in the wines that is often dimmed when too much manipulation is undertaken.

The first vintage was 2015, and was released in early 2017.


Review:

"I continue to love these Pinot Noirs under Todd Alexander’s Holocene label. While they’re not from Washington State, I was able to taste these during my visit with Force Majeure (which are also made by Todd) and I’m thrilled to be able to include them here." - Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020)

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Review:

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Review:

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Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. 

Holocene Pinot Noir Memorialis is a blend of 777, Pommard and 115 clones from MonksGate vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, and it saw about 20% new French oak for 16 months prior to bottling. It is always the lighter and more feminine of the two Holocene wines, with red fruits, white flowers, dried herbs, mushroom and forest floor aromatics, bright acidity and a lithe texture, long finish.

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We partner up with a few very small, diverse and amazing vineyards in the Willamette Valley, sourcing fruit from these dry-farmed sites that emphasize low yields, sustainable practices and produce outstanding fruit.

The wines are crafted in the same way I have been making wine since I was carrying it out at Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley — utilizing very low-impact, non-industrial techniques, native yeasts, little extraction and little new oak, and never filtering or fining. This allows a real sense of place to show through in the wines that is often dimmed when too much manipulation is undertaken.

Our first vintage was 2015, and was released in early 2017. As production is currently extremely small, the best way to get the wines into your hands is to join our mailing list at the “Mailing List” link above to receive an allocation when we have a release. We release wines once per year, and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis, shipped straight to your door.

Review:

Gorgeous dark violets and forest floor, with bright hints of pine sap and lilacs. The Memorialis Pinot Noir comes from a west-facing site planted in the mid-1990s in the Yamhill-Carlton appellation, where the marine sedimentary soils build spice and savoury complexity. On the palate, umami character rises with mushrooms, earth and smoky soy. Deep and intense and built to go the distance.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Memorialis is perfumed and strikingly pretty. A cascade of exotic florals and spices mingle with stone dust, lavender and blackberries on the nose. This washes across the palate with silken waves of ripe red and blue fruit, while a subtle citrus inflection adds tension. The 2023 finishes long and structured with a pleasantly chewy sensation. There's excellent potential here, but give it a few years of cellaring to come together.

 Vinous Antonio Galloni: 95 Wine Enthusiast: 98 96 Points
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Review:

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Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir 2023

Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. 

Holocene Pinot Noir Memorialis is a blend of 777, Pommard and 115 clones from MonksGate vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, and it saw about 20% new French oak for 16 months prior to bottling. It is always the lighter and more feminine of the two Holocene wines, with red fruits, white flowers, dried herbs, mushroom and forest floor aromatics, bright acidity and a lithe texture, long finish.

By now, everyone knows that the Willamette Valley is an amazing place to grow Pinot Noir. When I relocated from Napa Valley to partner up with Force Majeure Vineyards, I knew I also wanted to start a project where I could focus attention on a varietal and growing region that I loved. Part of the excitement of being in the Pacific Northwest is the ability to have access to so many amazing vineyards and so much diversity, along with the opportunity to push boundaries and try new things – something that is becoming increasingly difficult in other growing regions. 

We partner up with a few very small, diverse and amazing vineyards in the Willamette Valley, sourcing fruit from these dry-farmed sites that emphasize low yields, sustainable practices and produce outstanding fruit.

The wines are crafted in the same way I have been making wine since I was carrying it out at Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley — utilizing very low-impact, non-industrial techniques, native yeasts, little extraction and little new oak, and never filtering or fining. This allows a real sense of place to show through in the wines that is often dimmed when too much manipulation is undertaken.

Our first vintage was 2015, and was released in early 2017. As production is currently extremely small, the best way to get the wines into your hands is to join our mailing list at the “Mailing List” link above to receive an allocation when we have a release. We release wines once per year, and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis, shipped straight to your door.

Review:

Gorgeous dark violets and forest floor, with bright hints of pine sap and lilacs. The Memorialis Pinot Noir comes from a west-facing site planted in the mid-1990s in the Yamhill-Carlton appellation, where the marine sedimentary soils build spice and savoury complexity. On the palate, umami character rises with mushrooms, earth and smoky soy. Deep and intense and built to go the distance.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Memorialis is perfumed and strikingly pretty. A cascade of exotic florals and spices mingle with stone dust, lavender and blackberries on the nose. This washes across the palate with silken waves of ripe red and blue fruit, while a subtle citrus inflection adds tension. The 2023 finishes long and structured with a pleasantly chewy sensation. There's excellent potential here, but give it a few years of cellaring to come together.

 Vinous Antonio Galloni: 95 Wine Enthusiast: 98 96 Points
Holocene Apocrypha Pinot Noir 2021

Holocene Apocrypha Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.


Apocrypha Pinot Noir tends to showcase the blue and black end of the fruit spectrum, along with a brambly, floral, dried sage and thyme profile, higher acid than the Memorialis and more power.

We tend to enjoy this wine with lamb merguez sausage and saffron rice. 

Review:

The outstanding 2021 Holocene ‘Apocrypha’ comes from the Antiquam Farm Vineyard as the wine underwent 100% whole cluster fermentation. The wine shows rich dark fruits on the nose with spicebox and salty soils. The palate is dense and shows a seamless texture on the mouth, with lovely bright acidity holding things up. The weight here is seriously good, as the combination of freshness and stuffing suggests this will age gracefully for fifteen plus years.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Apocrypha is beautifully perfumed and darkly floral, showing crushed raspberries, dusty rose and sweet sage. Soothing and pleasantly round, this quickly gains tension through the onset of saline minerals, as tart wild berries add a crunchy sensation toward the close. The 2021 finishes spicy and long with a tug of tannic tension and bitter cherry nuances. The Apocrypha went through 100% whole clusters, native fermentation and spent fourteen months in 10% new French oak.

Ripe mulberries, cranberries, black tea, and orange zest all emerge from the 2021 Pinot Noir Apocrypha, a beautifully perfumed, floral, exotic Pinot Noir that's medium-bodied, has a solid spine of acidity, and ripe tannins that carry through the finish. It's not a blockbuster yet shines for its pretty, pure, complex style, and it will evolve for 8-10 years in cold cellars.

 Vinous Antonio Galloni: 94 95 Points
Holocene Apocrypha Pinot Noir 2023

Holocene Apocrypha Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

Apocrypha Pinot Noir tends to showcase the blue and black end of the fruit spectrum, along with a brambly, floral, dried sage and thyme profile, higher acid than the Memorialis and more power.

We tend to enjoy this wine with lamb merguez sausage and saffron rice. 

Review:

The outstanding 2023 ‘Apocrypha’ was aged for 9 months in 25% new French oak and saw100% whole cluster fermentation. This is lush, round and rich on the mouth with serious texture, tannin and mouthfeel. Dense red and dark fruits collide with salty minerals and volcanic stony accents on the palate. A stunning wine that is already drinking well, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come.

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Owen Bargreen  94 Points


 97 Points
Holocene Sidereal Pinot Noir 2023

Holocene Sidereal Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. 

Ribbon Ridge AVA
Single Vineyard dry-farmed, Organic practices
100% whole cluster
Fermented with native yeast
Extended maceration, with gentle extraction techniques
14 months in 20% new French oak
Bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal SO2
192 cases produced


 Review: 

The word sidereal means relating to the stars, particularly when measuring time or astronomical events. Which is weird for an earthly delight of a wine that makes time stand still while you attempt to decipher a vast array of aromas ranging from blackcap raspberries and cherry blossoms to wet slate and moon dust. Blackberries rule on the palate, with Assam tea, bay leaf and black pepper flavors easing along a lithe and nimble mouthfeel. Sidereal is also balance personified

- Wine Enthusiast  96 points

Review:

The 2023 Pinot Noir Sidereal is understated in the glass. Nuances of chalk dust and dried sage meet spiced blood orange on the nose. The palate is silken with savory red berry fruits riding a wave of cooling acidity as tactile mineral tones inform the close. The 2023 leaves a trace of sour citrus, and edgy tannins resonate through the long and youthfully tense finale.

From a small parcel in Ribbon Ridge, this Pinot Noir sees 100% whole-cluster fermentation, yielding upright aromatics of amaro herbs, smoky rose petals, rosehip oil, and rich, ripe strawberry flesh. The palate is incredibly textured, and built to age, ripe red brambles, spiced chicory root and black tea give this wine a structured finish that will age wonderfully.

 Vinous Antonio Galloni: 94 Wine Enthusiast: 96 94 Points
Ancien Pinot Noir Mink Vineyard 2021

Ancien Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir.

The Mink Vineyard is located next door to the winery, in the Coombsville Viticultural Area of Napa Valley. Open to the same morning fogs and afternoon breezes that cool Carneros to the west, Coombsville is consistently one of the coolest pockets in Napa. Mink sits inside a small “bowl”, allowing cooler air to settle during the evenings, and making Mink’s mesoclimate a couple degrees cooler, even, than the surrounding hills. But the real secret to Mink’s explosive flavors, smooth, mouth-coating minerality, comes from the soil. Underneath is a layer of compressed volcanic ash, called tufa. The tufa drains the topsoil, storing moisture in its porous structure. The vines are able, with some work, to grow roots into the tufa layer, accessing moisture during the long, dry growing season.


The Mink Pinot Noir exhibits bright and refreshing notes of pomegranate, cherry, and fresh herbs. It gradually opens to deeper and darker berry fruit, blueberry and plum. This vintage is on the more structured side of the spectrum and will continue to evolve over time. Its enchanting mouthwatering minerality invite sip after sip together with bite after bite. A lively wine at release but it will continue to improve over the next 4 - 7 years and can age well beyond a decade as shown by its 20+ year track record.

Review:

"Ripe in flavor and luxurious in texture, this wine is difficult to put down. It is saturated in black cherry, black currant and black fig while staying light on the palate. It's a wonderful indulgence to enjoy by itself or with a roast pheasant or duck breast. — Jim GORDON"

- Wine Enthusiast (April 1st 2024), 95 pts


From a vineyard parcel planted on volcanic soils next to the winery, the 2021 Pinot Noir Mink Vineyard offers up a beguiling array of floral and spice notes, including hints of cardamom and rose petals, plus cherries and strawberries. It's medium-bodied yet expansive on the palate, with a delicate, silky mouthfeel backed by a wiry spine that extends through the finish.

 Wine Advocate: 92 Wine Enthusiast: 95 95 Points
Ancien Pinot Noir Russian River Jouissance 2021

Ancien Pinot Noir Russian River Jouissance is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. 


Jouissance is sourced from the single vineyard established and farmed by Mark Lingenfelder at his home estate.  Mark’s decades of experience as a vineyard manager and consulting viticulturalist have provided him the depth of experience to reach the pinnacle at his own property.  Having worked with storied wineries over the years, we are grateful our paths have crossed enabling us to work with him for our Russian River designate.  He tends the vines himself while relying on neighbor Lee Martinelli to provide additional help at the peak times.  We work with a mix of Pommard and Dijon 667 vines from his oldest and youngest blocks – aged wisdom combines with youthful vigor!

The 2021 growing season was a welcome success after a more varied and challenging 2020.  The vines came on with aplomb, demonstrating the rich fruit concentration we expect – even if the crop was meager.  The ongoing drought in California served to further accentuate the character and concentration of the fruit.  While warmer conditions have prevailed in other areas, the coastal areas of California continue to benefit from the maritime influence and moderating influence that it brings.

We fermented in our one ton, open-top tanks after filling by gravity.  A warm fermentation with a combination of native and isolated Burgundian yeasts produced excellent and focused flavor extraction, complemented with traditional punch-downs by hand. The wine was aged entirely in Francois Freres cooperage, 40% new, and racked once, gently, prior to bottling.  Grapes, must, and wines were moved using gravity through to the barrel and using inert gas through racking and bottling.   151 cases produced.

Bright fruit notes dominate the aromas with bright cherry, plum, and boysenberry underlaid by allspice and clove.  On the palate the wine is liquid velvet, it’s silkiness segueing into a burst of fruit and spice that rides high on the palate while gradually opening to deeper berry, tea, and baking spices.  It is a refreshing and lively Pinot Noir in its youth that will continue to fill out in depth and complexity over the next 2-5 years.




Review:

Nicely saturated with black fruits and subtle oak spices, this welcoming and mouthfilling wine sips smoothly and goes down easily. Luscious red and black cherries and black currants glide along on soft tannins through a lingering finish. —J.G.

 Wine Enthusiast: 94 94 Points
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