These are delicious, high QPR wines showing ripe fresh fruit flavors buoyed with shimmering acidity and modest alcohol.

I’m wrapping up Oregon Wine Month with Iris Vineyards, a new-to-me winery that, for me, is a microcosm of the wines that the Willamette Valley in Oregon are most renown for and does best; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and sparkling wines.

Of course, there is more to Oregon than the aforementioned “Big 3” grape varieties which account for over 75% of harvested grapes in 2020, (Oregon is estimated to grow around 100 different grape varieties). Iris Vineyards has got that covered too with their “House Call” red blend.

About Iris Vineyards

Iris Vineyards was founded in 1992 by proprietors Richard and Pamela Frye who met when they attended University of Oregon in the late 70’s. They lived and worked in work in Germany and Switzerland for a couple of years. Inspired visits to vineyard and wineries throughout Europe on the weekends and their dream of operating a winery and vineyard they purchased 870 acres of new logged land in the Southern Willamette Valley. The property includes 100 acres of very desirable soils for grape growing and 500 acres of Douglas fir trees.

The first vines of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay were planted in 1996. Their first vintage was in 2001.

Fast forward twenty plus years and this family-owned winery has grown dramatically!

Their 43 acre estate vineyard includes 26.5 acres of Pinot Noir, 10.5 acres of Pinot Gris and 3 acres of Chardonnay of dry farmed grapes. Most of their harvest grapes are vinified separately then blended based on their desired character.

Their guiding principle is  ARETE’ (AHR-uh-tey), which is a foundational Greek philosophy of pursuing excellence to fulfill one’s potential. At Iris that means constant attention to vineyard practices, wine quality, and hospitality.

They deploy a number of sustainability measures in their estate vineyard and in the winery including using light weight bottles and packaging.

Today they produce about 20,000 cases of wine annually. In addition to their estate grapes they also source grapes from trusted high-quality vineyard partners.

Disclosure: Wines were provided as a media samples. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine.

The Wines

2022 Iris Vineyards Pinot Gris

100% Pinot Gris from Chalice Estate, Stoneridge, Kraemer, Five Fourteen, Abiqua Wind, and Meridian vineyards. The fruit was whole cluster pressed into stainless steel tanks to settle for a day before racking to another stainless tank for fermentation. Once fermentation was complete, it was racked again and chilled the wine for cold stability and to prevent malolactic fermentation.

Pale lemon color with yellow apple, pear, pink grapefruit, pineapple, crushed gravel and a hint of almond aromas. On the palate, it medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and ripe pear, yellow and green apple, grapefruit flavors with an appealing saline minerality with a very satisfying finish. 11.5% ABV| SRP – $17.99|89pts

2020 Iris Vineyards Chardonnay

Fruit for this wine was sourced from two adjoining blocks near the center Iris’ estate Chalice vineyard. The older block was established in 1996 and the younger in 2016. The older block is planted to Dijon 76 clone while the younger one is planted to ENTAV 548 clone. Raised sur lie in 500 liter French oak 500 Liter puncheons.

Pale lemon yellow color with aromatic pear, white peach, macadamia nut, lemon curd, and pie crust aromas. On the palate, it medium-bodied and focused with shimmering acidity and ripe pear, just ripe white peach, nectarine, lemon and oak spice flavors with a very satisfying finish. 100% Chardonnay. 13.2% ABV| SRP – $29.99| 90pts

2019 Iris Vineyards Areté Brut Rosé

Fruit for this wine is sourced from estate Chalice vineyard. 100% Pinot Noir of Pommard clone Fermented and aged in 100% neutral, French oak puncheons. Aged 17 months en tirage.

Pretty medium pink color with dried Morello cherry, Bing cherry, roasted hazelnut, hibiscus, brioche and dried rose aromas. On the palate, it’s light-bodied with a delicate creamy mousse and zesty, vivacious acidity with Bing cherry, pomegranate, red raspberry flavors with hints of vanilla and honey. Lengthy finish 12.1% ABV| SRP – $33.99| 91pts

2021 Iris Vineyards Pinot Noir

Fruit for this wine sourced from a variety of vineyards in the Eola Hills, Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill-Carlton AVAs. Each vineyard lot vinified separately. Once fermentation was complete, the tanks and fermenters were pressed separately and then barrel aged in 100% French oak (10% new) before being blended together.

Pale ruby color with enticing black cherry, pomegranate, earth, spice and hints brown sugar and cola aromas. On the palate, it’s light-bodied and very fresh with black cherry, pomegranate, rooibos tea, earth and baking spice flavor with a lengthy finish. 100% Pinot Noir. 13.7% ABV| SRP – $24.99|90pts

2020 Iris Vineyards House Call

A blend of 36.6% Merlot, 36.2% Cabernet franc,14.1% Malbec, and 13.1% Cabernet Sauvignon from 3 vineyards in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. Each of vineyard parcel vinified separately before being blened. Raised in 90% French oak (11% new) and 10% American oak.

Pale ruby with black cherry, raspberry, smoked beef, and cedar wood aromas. On the palate, it’s medium bodied with juicy acidity and well integrated fine-grained tannins with enticing ripe fresh fruit flavors of black cherry and raspberry complicated with a bit of dried red cherry. Medium finish. 13.9% abv| SRP – $19.99| 88pts

These are delicious, high QPR wines showing ripe fresh fruit flavors buoyed with shimmering acidity and modest alcohol.

That’s the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like my wines, uh-huh, uh-huh!