2022 Bennu Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

This fun and pretty Pinot Noir from Bennu Wines in the Willamette Valley reflects the region’s emphasis on balance and terroir. The wine shows a bright ruby color with moderate intensity. The nose is clean and prettily effusive, offering red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry, alongside subtle notes of rose petal, forest floor, and light spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with fresh acidity and fine, integrated tannins. The fruit remains precise and lifted, supported by a lightly savory, earthy character that leads through to a dry, persistent finish.

Bennu Wines is a small, site-driven producer in the Willamette Valley that reflects the region’s modern approach to Pinot Noir-focused winemaking. Rather than relying solely on estate vineyards, the winery sources fruit from carefully selected sites, emphasizing older vines and varied soils to capture differences in structure and aromatics. Viticulture and winemaking prioritize balance and minimal intervention, with native fermentations and restrained use of oak to preserve clarity and site expression. The resulting wines are moderate in alcohol and structured around fresh acidity, red fruit, and subtle earth or spice, consistent with the broader stylistic identity of the Willamette Valley.