Filter by
Our Reviews
Want to know what the critics have to say about Bethel Heights for current and past vintages? We’ve got the highs (and sometimes the lows) for you to ponder.
The Wine Spectator, February 2012
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Chardonnay Estate Grown - 90($25) Tangy and appealing for its tightly knit tangerine, pear and spice flavors, finishing with zip. Drink now through 2013.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve - 93($60) Firm in texture up front, with a mineral cast to the dark berry, cherry, licorice and spice flavors, finishing with generosity as the finish soft-shoes smoothly offstage. Drink now through 2019. 450 cases made. –HS
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate Grown - 92($32) Light in texture and weight, but shows real presence with its strawberry and cherry fruit, with cinnamon and talcum overtones. Finishes with refinement and grace. Drink now through 2019.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Flat Block - 93($50) Polished, with a strong mineral note weaving through the rich blackberry and cherry fruit, melding smoothly as the finish extends. This has a distinctive profile, coming together with finesse. Drink now through 2019. 200 cases made. –HS
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard - 93($50) Satiny, elegant and refined, this is expressive with its plum and currant fruit, hinting at floral and talc on the lively finish. The tannins are tight, but the lovely fruit comes through easily. Best from 2012 through 2019. 190 cases made. –HS
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir West Block - 92($50) Broad, juicy, and dripping with mineral notes that weave through the rich cherry and spice flavors, all coming together seamlessly on the refined finish. Has power and grace. Drink now through 2019.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Libertine - 92($75) Ripe, focused, steely and expressive, offering a juicy mouthful of cherry, licorice, wet earth and mineral flavors that zing through the finish. This has stature and charm. Drink now through 2019. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 100 cases made. –HS
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley - 90($28) Polished, light and immensely appealing for its pretty raspberry, cream and floral aromas and flavors, lingering easily on the sleek finish. Drink now through 2015.
The Wine Advocate, October 2011
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley - 88($28) Bethel Heights’ 2009 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is medium ruby red in color with a nose of dried herbs, spice box, and black cherry. Sweetly-fruited, supple-textured, and nicely proportioned, this medium-long effort is meant for drinking over the next 6-7 years.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Carter Vineyard - 92($50) The 2009 Pinot Noir Carter Vineyard is first class. Expressive spice notes, incense, rose petal, cherry, and cranberry aromas inform the nose of a layered, succulent, nicely proportioned Pinot that contains enough structure to evolve for another 1-2 years. It will deliver prime drinking from 2012 to 2021.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve - 91($60) The 2009 Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve displays a touch of herbs as well as a darker shade of fruit. Black cherry, black raspberry, and plum notes lead to a savory, plump, chunky effort that narrows slightly in the finish. It will be at its best from 2012 to 2019.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Flat Block - 91($50) The 2009 Pinot Noir Flat Block reveals a delicate perfume of floral notes, red fruits, and spice box. This sets the stage for an elegant offering which surprises with its depth, concentration, and length. Drink this suave Pinot over the next 6-8 years.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate Grown - 89($32) The 2009 Pinot Noir Estate displays a bit of heat along with notes of cinnamon, clove, cedar, black cherry, and black raspberry. In the glass it reveals denser fruit than the Willamette Valley cuvee, savory flavors, good balance, and a medium-long finish. It will deliver enjoyment through 2019.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard - 91($50) The 2009 Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard sports an enticing perfume of Asian spices, incense, rose petal, and red fruits. It conceals a bit of underlying structure that will allow it to evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through 2019+.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Libertine - 92($75) The debut 2009 Pinot Noir Libertine is a 50-50 blend of estate fruit and nearby Zena Crown Vineyard. Exotic spices, red fruits, floral notes, and sandalwood inform the nose of a sweetly-fruited, layered, nicely proportioned wine that deftly combines power and elegance. Give it 1-2 years of additional bottle age and drink it through 2021.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Southeast Block - 90($50) The 2009 Pinot Noir Southeast Block exhibits a similar personality to the Flat Block cuvee but with more structure and not quite as much length. It is likely to evolve for 1-2 years which could well add to the wine’s finish.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir West Block - 89+($50) The 2009 Pinot Noir West Block gives up a hint of earthy minerality along with red fruit and spice notes. It is narrower than its siblings on the palate but with ample ripe fruit and good concentration; another year or two of cellaring could help to flesh it out.
Wine & Spirits Magazine, October 2011
2009 Bethel Heights Estate Chardonnay - 94 (Best Buy)Clean, mineral and savory, this pleasingly green-tinged white has just a hint of celery leaf that lends complexity to a dark lees note. The flavors remain on the savory side, the tone bright, lean and pure, with both the richness and elegance to pair with a classic roast chicken á la Julia Child.
Portland Monthly, September 2011
2008 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard - 89($50) The Justice Vineyard is an Oregon Certified Sustainable wine, ensuring responsible growing and winemaking practices. This 2008 vintage's cherry fruit, soft tannins, and fresh acidity balance out floral notes and deeper aromatics of leather and earth. Juicy and bright, this is a pretty glass for easy sipping.
2008 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve - 88($60) Fully destemming the grapes before fermentation (stems mean strong tannins) lent great fruit concentration to the finished product of this ripe, lush Pinot noir. A mild, bright, and easy-drinking wine, this will be delicious with hearty fall dishes like root vegetable stews and braised lamb.
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Chardonnay Estate Grown - 94($25) Using a blend of Dijon and old-vine Wente clones, this classic Chardonnay shows a welcome balance of richness and bright acidity. The best of the old-school Oregon style, this rich, golden wine marries minerality and flavors of ripe pineapple and lemon zest, resulting in a smooth palate that’s full-bodied and perfumed but never cloying.
The Wine Spectator Insider, August 2011
2009 Bethel Heights Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate Grown - 92($32) Light in texture and weight, but shows real presence with its strawberry and cherry fruit, with cinnamon and talcum overtones. Finishes with refinement and grace. Drink now through 2019.
