Ken Wright Cellars, Willamette Valley (Oregon) Pinot Noir 2021

 Ken Wright is a household name in Willamette Valley.  He has dedicated his lifetime to making wine and is credited by some observers for much of Willamette’s success in the international market.  Pinot Noir is one of the more difficult grapes to grow and that difficulty is usually passed to the consumer in higher bottle prices.  I was pleasantly shocked to find this one in the under-$20 category.  While it doesn’t have the complexity that higher-end bottles can offer, it has the classic Willamette Valley character and outperforms its price point.