On a sunny morning in July, we drove up to the beautiful winery and tasting room at Nicolas-Jay, one of the most highly regarded wineries in Oregon.
The tasting room patio.
Nicolas-Jay was putting on a breakfast that was paired with 5 of their delicious wines–an event we were very much looking forward to.
We have written about this winery and its beautiful setting several times before. But each time we visit, we continue to be struck by the beauty of the site. The winery and tasting room sit at the bottom of a bowl-like structure of hillsides in the Dundee Hills AVA, most of which are now planted to grape vines. At the top of the vineyards stand Oregon forests (oak and Douglas Fir) which appear like sentinels watching over and protecting the vines.
Barrel tasting with Hannah Kloft, Cellar & Hospitality Associate.
When we arrived and parked, we were warmly welcomed by Hannah Kloft, Cellar and Hospitality Associate. Having previously toured the facilities, we went straight to the winery for some barrel tasting and enjoyed a great conversation about the latest happenings at Nicolas-Jay.
Afterward, we headed upstairs to the hospitality room, where we were seated at their long table for brunch. Tasting room manager Robert Clary, just as charming as Hannah, took excellent care of us and made the experience truly special.
Our petit dejeuner was done in the classic French style; a light meal that included croissant with jams and a cheese plate. All the food was locally sourced and was delicious.
Petit Dejeuner at Nicolas-Jay.
We’ve become dedicated locavores, always seeking out food from the immediate area. This allows us to support the residents of the area we visit, eat the freshest foods, and participate in the local culture all while reducing the environmental impact that is created when transporting food over long distances.
Rob guided us through a tasting of their 2021 lineup, enhancing the experience with his deep knowledge of their wines and insights into the Oregon wine scene. We even discovered a shared love of music, which made the tasting all the more enjoyable.
In the background was a playlist curated by Jay Boberg, co-founder of the winery as well as an illuminated record producer.
Chris and Rob.
The playlist was mostly 70s and 80s rock, not only providing a nice backdrop for the tasting but also sparked numerous conversations about what various songs meant to each of us.
As the following tasting notes will show, Nicolas-Jay continues to make some of the best wines in the State. This tasting also offered a great opportunity to delve deeper into the 2021 vintage, showcasing the exceptional quality of that year’s harvest.
The vintage was greatly appreciated by the local winemakers as it was free from the smoke taint that dramatically reduced production of Pinot Noir in 2020.
Consistently terrific wines.
We found the 2021s to be quite similar to the 2019s, another top Oregon vintage. Not as full and ripe as the 2018s or 2016s, more even than the 2017s, and possessing the terrific balance and the tension of the 2019s.
To our palates, based on what we have tasted so far, 2019 and 2021 are likely the 2 best vintages of the past 10. The fruit is fully ripe and there is great acidity to keep the wines fresh and balanced. 2021 Pinot Noir is still quite youthful but shows great promise for further development over the coming decade.
Tasting Notes
2023 Nicolas-Jay Pink Vinyl Rosé
2023 Nicolas-Jay Pink Vinyl Rosé
Made from 100% Pinot Noir harvested from their Bishop Creek Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton from a specific block that is harvested earlier to create the zippy freshness of this wine. Salmon pink in colour, we get notes of strawberry and cranberry with a nice mineral streak. The flavours are very intense, suggesting this to be more of a food wine than just a summer sipper. Very Good+
2021 Nicolas-Jay Affinités Chardonnay
Medium yellow in colour. Orchard fruits of peach and apple drive the flavour profile of this delicious and intensely flavoured wine. The secondary notes are lemon curd with a great streak of minerality that creates definition and precision. The body is medium and the acidity is medium+. Delicious Chardonnay! Excellent
2022 Nicolas-Jay Blanc L’Alliance
2022 Blanc L’Alliance
This wine is a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. We usually think of these two grapes as making varietal wines, not blends, so it was interesting for us to try it. This blend works, creating a wine of medium body and medium+ acid. It reminded us of a top-level Alsatian Pinot Gris. Notes of pear with hints of citrus and a touch of river rock balance out the flavour profile. Excellent
2021 Nicolas-Jay Own-Rooted Pinot Noir
Own-rooted refers to vines that have not been grafted on to phylloxera-resistant root stocks. These ungrafted vines are a rarity, not just in Oregon, but around the world. Additionally the three vineyards that produce the grapes are each over 30 years of age. But they seem to produce a wine that somehow is at once elegant but also rustic.
2021 Nicolas-Jay Own-Rooted Pinot Noir
The 2021 Own-Rooted leans a bit more towards finesse than in previous vintages which might have shown a slightly more brooding character. The colour is medium red and the bouquet is just amazing! We pick up a panoply of different scents long before our nose has reached the glass: cherry, brown spices, rose petals and lilac. This is the type of aromatics that turn Pinot Noir crazies into Pinot Noir crazies! Excellent+
2021 Nicolas-Jay Temperance Hill Pinot Noir
Perhaps the darkest wine in the group, it shows a colour of dark garnet with no fading at the rim. The flavour profile is one of black cherry, blueberry and marionberry that picks up plenty of Christmas spices along the way. Wonderfully textured with a medium+ body and medium tannins. The is a slightly turned earth component which really adds to the savoury side of this delicious wine. Slightly brawny at this stage, this is going to get even better over the coming decade. A real triumph in winemaking! Extraordinary
2021 Nicolas-Jay L’Ensemble Pinot Noir
2021 Nicolas-Jay L’Ensemble Pinot Noir
L’Ensemble is made from their estate vineyard in Dundee Hills. This is an outstanding first vintage from their home site. The colour is a medium/dark red. The notes of black cherry, raspberry, mineral and black pepper are found both in the aromatics and on the palate. Medium+ body and medium tannins create great texture and a finish that goes on and on. Already very complex, this will no doubt continue to develop. Amazing Pinot Noir! Extraordinary
The tasting room deck at Nicolas-Jay,
11905 NE Dudley Road
Newberg, Oregon 97132
*Tastings by reservation only
T: (971) 412-1124
E: info@nicolas-jay.com
November 2, 2024
The thought of a brunch wine tasting in a French style is intriguing! I have read your previous Nicholas Jay reviews, which all made me swoon. This time, not only the wines, but the thought of walking up to the forest line and taking it all in – vineyards and trees.
November 13, 2024
The wines are truly among the best in Oregon is producing. It’s a winery we always recommend visitors not only for the wines but also because of the setting and staff.
October 30, 2024
I am very excited to read this as I was recently gifted a 2018 Nicolas-Jay L’Ensemble Pinot Noir. Not sure when I will pop this baby, perhaps at one of the upcoming holidays.
October 30, 2024
We are big fans of their wine and you will NOT be disappointed. We love their Pinot but their Chardonnay is absolutely stunning! Look forward to hearing what you think of the L’ensemble PN.