Illahe Bon Sauvage Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022

Illahe Vineyards is one of Oregon's most distinctive family-owned wineries, renowned for combining sustainable farming with old-world, hands-on winemaking. Founded by Lowell and Pauline Ford, the family's roots in Oregon agriculture date back to the late 1800s, while Lowell began growing wine grapes in 1983 before planting the current estate vineyard in 2000. Today, the winery is led by their son, Brad Ford, who serves as owner, winemaker, and vineyard manager.

Bon Sauvage Pinot Noir 2022 is a beautifully crafted Willamette Valley Pinot Noir that captures the elegance and wild spirit of Oregon. Named "Bon Sauvage," meaning "good wild," this cuvée reflects Illahe's commitment to sustainable farming, native yeast fermentations, and minimal-intervention winemaking. The outstanding 2022 vintage offers expressive aromas of ripe cherry, wild raspberry, cranberry, rose petals, black tea, and baking spice, intertwined with subtle notes of forest floor, orange peel, and earthy minerality. On the palate, it is silky and vibrant, balancing pure red fruit with bright acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a graceful, lingering finish. Aged in French oak with a restrained touch, the wine emphasizes freshness, transparency, and the unique character of the Willamette Valley rather than oak influence. Approachable in its youth yet capable of rewarding several years in the cellar, Bon Sauvage is a wonderfully versatile Pinot Noir that pairs beautifully with salmon, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, and grilled pork.