Arterberry Maresh, Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

Buyer beware? No, buyer be aware of today’s exquisite, virtually perfect Pinot Noir and make an immediate vow to buy a case because it will not survive here, or anywhere else, for long. We’re certain of it: After enduring a three-day gauntlet in the Willamette Valley last month—where we hit 15+ wineries and tasted nearly 200 wines—we’ve emerged with Arterberry Maresh’s Dundee Hills, what we believe to be the region’s greatest 2019 Pinot Noir value. The story follows…When we pulled up to Maresh’s iconic red barn, our longtime Oregon liaison leaned over and whispered “the press for the new releases is insane.” Not to be influenced, we ignored the numbers, as we’re wont to do, and proceeded into the barn. There, we met one of the valley’s most eccentric, relaxed, down-to-earth winemakers: Jim Maresh. No lineup was awaiting us, no elaborate spread or starched collars either. It was just Jim, by himself, packing up some orders in sweatpants. He hardly missed a beat in his work, yet the ambi