The 2023 Benmar “Above the Clouds” Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a captivating expression of high-elevation vineyard elegance. With fruit sourced from select hillside sites in the Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills, this wine offers a refined balance of bright red fruit, savory nuance, and mineral tension. Aromas of crushed cherry, pomegranate, and rose petal lift from the glass, accented by hints of wild herbs, forest floor, and a whisper of cedar. On the palate, it glides with silky tannins and fresh acidity, delivering layers of raspberry, black tea, and wet stone.
Crafted in small quantities by winemaker Greg Bybee, “Above the Clouds” reflects both thoughtful vineyard selection and restrained oak aging. The wine’s graceful structure and lingering finish make it a versatile partner to dishes like seared duck breast, mushroom tart, or cedar-plank salmon. It is a Pinot Noir that evokes the misty Oregon highlands—ethereal, precise, and full of quiet power.
