Gary Andrus had a fascination for Burgundian Pinot Noir as he backpacked his way through France. He first pursued award winning Cabernet Sauvignon, founding Pine Ridge Winery within the Stag’s Leap District of Napa Valley in 1978. Afterwards, he would later follow his passion of Pinot Noir in the cool growing region of Dundee Hills in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Gary passed in 2009.

Currently, Ian Burch, is the winemaker at Archery Summit. He has had stints abroad, particularly in Burgundy, where it instilled in him the appreciation for cool-climate varietals. The spirit of site-specific wine persists at Archery Summit.

This brooding, deep garnet-colored Pinot Noir shows its youthfulness with shy aromatics of forest floor, earth and Porcini mushrooms. The middle core of this wine is broad shouldered and expansive with baked blackberry cobbler and fresh blueberry pie undertones. There is layer upon layer of fruit that remains silky with finely integrated tannins and delicate acidity. The finish is long and persistent. This beauty will evolve well over time.

By W Peter Hoyne