Wines Not Specified Alexana - 2021

Viniou Reviews

Alexana’s 2021 red wine offers a refined snapshot of what the Pacific Northwest, and particularly Oregon, can express with its unique terroirs. While the precise grape variety isn’t specified, Alexana Winery is acclaimed for its elegant Pinot Noir, which likely guides this cuvée’s character: expect a vibrant ruby hue and inviting aromas of tart cherry, wild strawberry, and subtle notes of forest floor, layered with hints of rose petal and a whisper of spice. The 2021 vintage benefited from a relatively temperate growing season, allowing for balanced ripening; in the glass, this translates to a wine with both purity and structure, featuring a lively acidity and fine, silky tannins. Vinification at Alexana typically involves hand-harvesting, gentle extraction, and aging in French oak, lending a graceful texture and subtle complexity.

The northwest American AVAs, particularly Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley and surrounding regions, are heralded for their cool-climate viticulture. Soils in this region range from volcanic basalt to marine sediment, providing excellent drainage and mineral character that supports expressive, site-driven wines. The climate is marked by cool, wet winters and dry, sunny summers, ideal for varietals like Pinot Noir to thrive and develop nuance. This area’s winemaking history is relatively recent—gaining momentum in the 1960s and 1970s—but it has quickly achieved global recognition for producing world-class wines that elegantly balance ripeness and finesse.

Pair this wine with dishes that celebrate its freshness and subtlety: seared duck breast with cherry reduction, herb-roasted chicken, or wild mushroom risotto will draw out the wine’s layered profile. For a local touch, try it with cedar-planked Pacific salmon or a creamy Oregon cheese plateau.

Serve this red slightly cool, ideally between 14-16°C, to accentuate its aromatic vibrancy and supple mouthfeel. Decant for 30 minutes to allow the bouquet to fully develop, and savor within the next five to seven years while its fruit and savory notes remain at their harmonious peak.