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. Afterward, 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 director of winemaking at Archery Summit. He has had stints abroad, particularly in Burgundy, where it instilled in him an appreciation for cool-climate varietals. The spirit of site-specific wine persists at Archery Summit Estates.

Arcus means “Bow” in Latin and describes the shape of the 39-acre estate vineyard that wraps around the valley in Dundee Hills. It is the oldest vineyard of Archery Summit Estates planted in 1973 in rocky, Jory sub-soils. The pristine dark garnet rim of the 2021 Archery Summit Arcus Pinot Noir introduces you to a sensory journey of gratification. On the nose, there’s an immediate burst of dark, brooding fruit—ripe black currants with freshly picked blueberries—that fills the senses with a plush, vibrant intensity. But beneath this core of luscious fruit lies something more intriguing, a whisper of Chinese black tea, olive tapenade, and crushed brown spices that add an exotic complexity. There’s a grounding note of miso, subtly savory, that complements the fruit and elevates the wine's texture, giving it an air of refinement. The finish is long and silky, leaving behind a lasting impression. Ian Burch's reverence for Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir integrated with New World elements is obvious in this stellar bottling.

By W Peter Hoyne