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2023 Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 6pk 6x750ml

Holocene's original bottling, now in its ninth vintage and quietly one of Oregon's best Pinots.

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2023 Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 6pk 6x750ml

Holocene's original bottling, now in its ninth vintage and quietly one of Oregon's best Pinots.

Retail $480
$450
$75 / bottle when you buy the 6-pack
You save $30
  • From 100-Point Winemaker Todd Alexander
  • Organically Farmed Monks Gate Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton AVA
  • "Quietly Becoming One of Oregon's Best Pinot Noirs" ~98 Wine Enthusiast
  • "Concentrated, Gorgeous... Built to Age" ~96 Owen Bargreen
  • Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles.
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Image of 2023 Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 6pk 6x750ml 2023 Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 6pk 6x750ml
$480
$450
$75 / bottle when you buy the 6-pack
You save $30

About The Wine

Holocene launched in 2015 with a single bottling: Memorialis. Nine vintages later, it's quietly become one of Oregon's best Pinot Noirs — according to Wine Enthusiast's 98-point verdict, not us. Winemaker Todd Alexander sources the fruit from Monks Gate Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton, an 18-acre organically farmed site planted in the mid-1990s on marine sedimentary soils. The afternoon sun and westerly breezes off the coast produce generous, complex fruit; Alexander ferments it 100% whole-cluster and ages it in neutral oak to let the vineyard speak.

The 2023 vintage was warm without major heat spikes — a pattern Oregon's grown familiar with after a string of warm years. The result is concentrated, crunchy red fruit with serious aromatics: menthol, white pepper, exotic spices, blood orange zest. Wine Enthusiast called out Bing cherry, cardamom, cinnamon, straw, and chalkboard dust. Owen Bargreen clocked wild blackberry, tobacco leaf, and orange blossom. Both reviewers landed north of 95 points.

The palate is full-bodied and beautifully textured — plush without being heavy, mineral-laden without losing the fruit. The tannins are present but not grippy; the acidity keeps everything taut and long. Bargreen says it's built to age and calls the drinking window 2024–2038. Enthusiast says the acidity is "ready for juicy business."

360 cases made. This is the original wine from a small, family-owned producer with two generations at the helm. If you've been paying $60–$80 for good Oregon Pinot, here's what the next tier tastes like — for less than you'd guess.

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At A Glance

Varietal:
Pinot Noir
Region:
Willamette Valley
Sub-Appellation:
Willamette Valley
Alcohol:
13.5%
Size:
750ml

TASTING NOTES

What's in the Glass

PAIRS WITH
Duck · Poultry · Mushroom Dish · Fish · Veal

Mouthfeel & Acidity

Light Body Full Body
 
 
 
 
 
Low Acidity High Acidity
 
 
 
 
 
Soft Tannins Firm Tannins
Dry Sweet

Bing cherry, cardamom, cinnamon, straw, chalkboard dust. Wild blackberry, tobacco leaf, orange blossom. Crunchy red fruits with menthol, white pepper, exotic spices, blood orange zest. Full-bodied, plush, mineral-driven. Tannins present but not grippy; bright acidity, long finish.

CRITIC REVIEWS

What the Critics Said

A Bing cherry aroma slinks its way up from the glass, followed by spicy whispers of cardamom and cinnamon. Straw and chalkboard dust scents seal the deal. After a tannic black tea note materializes on the palate, the wine's cranberry and raspberry flavors punch the tart button. You can feel the tannins, but they aren't grippy. The acidity, however, lets you know it is ready for juicy business. Memorialis is quietly becoming one of Oregon's best Pinot Noirs. ~98 Wine Enthusiast

The 2023 Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir from Yamhill-Carlton is crafted entirely from whole-cluster fermentation and rests in predominantly neutral oak, allowing the fruit to shine. The aromatics weave together wild strawberry and pomegranate with accents of rose petal, clove, and orange peel. On the palate, it glides with density and grace, where layers of red currant, cranberry, and savory herbs mingle with hints of forest floor and cracked pink pepper. The tannins are finely polished, providing both structure and lift, while the finish lingers with remarkable clarity and length. With air, the wine deepens, unveiling more spice and floral nuance, making each sip feel newly discovered. Enjoy this one now with a heavy decant or cellar for the next 10-15 years. 360 cases made. Highly recommended and editor’s choice. ~ 97 International Wine Report

Initially first made in 2015, the 2023 ‘Memorialis’ is a 360 case production wine from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It is 100% whole-cluster fermented and stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This is concentrated, gorgeous stuff, loaded with crunchy red fruits that parade with menthol, white pepper, exotic spices and shades of blood orange zest. Full-bodied and beautifully-textured, enjoy this beauty now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Give this 30 plus minutes in the decanter if enjoying in its heady youth. Drink 2025-2040- ~96 Owen Bargreen

From a west-facing site planted in the mid-1990s, where the marine sedimentary soils build spice and savoury complexity. Gorgeous dark violets and forest floor aromas, with bright hints of pine sap and lilacs. On the palate, an umami character rises with mushrooms, earth and smoky soy. Deep, intense and built to go the distance. ~ 96 Decanter

The 2023 Pinot Noir Memorialis is perfumed and strikingly pretty. A cascade of exotic florals and spices mingle with stone dust, lavender and blackberries on the nose. This washes across the palate with silken waves of ripe red and blue fruit, while a subtle citrus inflection adds tension. The 2023 finishes long and structured with a pleasantly chewy sensation. There's excellent potential here, but give it a few years of cellaring to come together. ~95 Vinous Media

THE PRODUCER

Holocene Wines

Holocene Wines is a small, family-owned Oregon winery founded in 2015 by winemaker Todd Alexander—known for his work at Force Majeure and WeatherEye and formerly of Napa's Bryant Family Vineyard—and his wife Carrie.

Producing roughly 1,000 cases a year of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the winery emphasizes whole-cluster fermentation, native yeasts, freshness, and low-impact winemaking, sourcing from dry-farmed vineyards using organic practices across the Willamette Valley. The result is a portfolio of elegant, terroir-driven wines built for purity, balance, and age-worthiness—earning Holocene a reputation as one of the region's standout boutique producers.

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