The Sojeau Vineyard is nestled on the southern end of the Eola-Amity Hills, facing southwest, directly towards the Van Duzer Corridor. At 650 feet in elevation, the site overlooks the valley and surrounding farmlands from its perch on the steep hill. This aspect makes Sojeau one of our coolest sites, with acidity and aromatics favorably intensified by the intense coastal winds.
93 Points Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate: "The 2022 Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard comes from vines planted in volcanic soils in 2008. It fermented with 10% whole clusters, and the wine matured for 15 months in 40% new oak barrels. It has alluring scents of cranberry and red cherry jam with accents of flint, orange peel, mushrooms and bitters. The light-bodied palate offers concentrated, nuanced, woodsmoke and earth-laced flavors delivered in a silky frame, and its mouthwatering acidity draws you back to the glass for another sip. It drinks beautifully after a couple of hours in a decanter. 450 cases produced."
94 Points Eric Guido, Vinous: "The 2022 Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard is savory on the nose with an array of crushed stone, spiced orange and dried black cherries. This floods the palate with silky textures and ripe red and blue fruits, gaining tension through a saturation of minerality that comes forward toward the close. A coating of fine-grained tannins lingers along with a tart berry concentration as the 2022 finishes structured and incredibly long. This is harmonious to the core, but patience will be required."
Walter Scott Estate Summary from Vinous's Eric Guido:
"Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon of Walter Scott will do whatever it takes to deliver the highest-quality wine and the best representation of any given vintage. Their 2022s are wildly successful despite the year's many challenges. Pahlow went into great detail to explain what he believed to be the best way to deal with mildew issues from the cool and rainy spring, burned buds from the frost, an abundant crop due to the hot summer and finally, the dry and hot conditions leading up to harvest. While many growers and winemakers were happy with the large crop set that resulted from the later flowering and secondary buds, at Walter Scott, the goal was to treat the vines like any other vintage. Therefore, the team decided to remove the extra shoots and secondary buds and employ a single-cluster-per-shoot methodology. Even with this standard, the quantity of fruit remained unexpectedly high— around 2.6 metric tons per acre. As a result, the 2022s maintain the depth and complexity fans love, and while the wines may have a slightly more immediate feel, they are age-worthy. Alcohol levels are all in check. Though the 2022s did see a little more new wood (only because Pahlow ordered new barrels to keep up with production), it’s hardly noticeable in the final wines. I’ve always thought of Chardonnay before Pinot for Walter Scott, but I must say, their reds continue to impress in a significant way."
By Brandon Kerne, Master Sommelier & Kelly Rau:
We are thrilled to introduce one of the country's top producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Texas—Walter Scott. These wines are generally reserved for major wine hubs like San Francisco and New York, but now, through AOC Selections, you can enjoy them right here. A single experience with Walter Scott’s Chardonnays smashes the glass ceiling that has prevented Willamette Valley's top wines from being considered alongside Burgundy's best. Flinty reduction notes compliment the perfect balance of texture and freshness, recalling the wines of Hubert Lamy or Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey (PYCM) in Burgundy. The Pinot Noirs are pure, elegant, and sophisticated. They are bursting with soft-spoken nuance and character that demands you return for a second sip. It's no surprise these wines are a staple on the best wine lists across the country—they're absolute Sommelier favorites.
"There’s a rabid following for Erica Landon and Ken Pahlow’s Chardonnays – and for good reason, as they are among the very best being made in the New World" - Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Walter Scott’s wines are as bijou as Willamette gets, small production wines sourced from dry-farmed, old vine sites in the Eola-Amity Hills. While they have been exciting since their first releases, the dedication to incremental improvement here is remarkable. After a harvest with Dominique Lafon in 2017, they've doubled down on low yields, earlier harvests, and meticulous cellar practices to capture vibrant acidity and complexity. Their Chardonnays undergo full malo and finish in mostly neutral barrels, resulting in a clean, focused profile, while the Pinot Noirs are generally destemmed to focus on varietal purity.
