Holocene Pinot Noir Memorialis is a blend of 777, Pommard and 115 clones from MonksGate vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, and it saw about 20% new French oak for 16 months prior to bottling. It is always the lighter and more feminine of the two Holocene wines, with red fruits, white flowers, dried herbs, mushroom and forest floor aromatics, bright acidity and a lithe texture, long finish.
Grilled fish, pork rillettes, epoisses cheese.
"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. — Michael ALBERTYS"
- Wine Enthusiast (October 1st 2025), 98 pts & Editor's Choice
"100% whole-cluster fermented, this aromatic set of briary and brambly red fruit makes me want to dab it on my pulse points. Leathery tannins and crisp acidity join forces with tangy flavors of raspberries and rooibos tea with a lemon wedge. Enjoy 2024–2037. — Michael ALBERTYS"
- Wine Enthusiast (July 1st 2024), 97 pts & Cellar Selection
"Showing beautifully, with a Côte de Nuit-like nose of darker cherries, strawberries, sappy herbs, baking spices, and flowers, the 2018 Pinot Noir Memorialis is medium to full-bodied and has a gorgeously textured, layered mouthfeel, present tannins, and a solid spine of acidity. It would give many a Grand Cru Red Burgundy a run for its money in a blind tasting."
- Jeb Dunnuck (May 2021), 95 pts
"Coming from a warmer than average year for Oregon, the 2018 Pinot Noir Memorialis comes from a west-facing hillside of sedimentary soils located in the heart of the Willamette Valley (not far from Beaux Freres and Shea Vineyard). All Pinot Noir that was 20% destemmed and brought up in 20% French oak, it shows a textured, incredibly elegant profile that has a perfectly integrated style, lots of raspberry and strawberry fruits, and classic Pinot Noir notes of dried flowers and spice. It should be approachable right out of the gate, yet given its balance, it should also evolve for 10-15 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 93-95 pts
"This is the fourth vintage for this Pinot Noir project from Force Majeure winemaker Todd Alexander. It's a single-vineyard cuvée (vineyard unidentified) with lush and inviting aromas of ripe raspberries and a whiff of chocolate. It's a pretty wine, lightly spicy (aged 17 months in one-third new French oak) and more fruit-centric than expressive of a particular terroir. What's most impressive is the elegant way it captures the ephemeral majesty of the grape. — Paul GREGUTT"
- Wine Enthusiast (March 1st 2021), 93 pts
By now, everyone knows that the Willamette Valley is an amazing place to grow Pinot Noir. When Todd Alexander relocated from Napa Valley to partner up with Force Majeure Vineyards, ...
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