2002 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

E&R Wine Shop, Portland, Oregon
Best red wine of 2004

Liner & Elsen Wine Merchants, Portland, Oregon
By Peter Gibson, May 2005
I met Jim Prosser (he of the well-coiffed bed head) in 1999 over dinner at the Ponzi café with Véronique Drouhin and my harvest mates that year at Domaine Drouhin. Jim approached our table with a swagger that would’ve made James Cagney blush. He exuded a confidence rarely encountered in self-effacing Oregon vignerons. Initially I was put off, but little did I know that he’d worked for Véronique previously and had also done stages in New Zealand, Australia and at Domaine George Roumier in Burgundy. That year Prosser was working for Doug Tunnell at Brick House while also making his debut wine for his J.K. Carriere label. This man works hard, his experience is impeccable, and his confidence well earned.

We sold Jim’s inaugural 1999 Pinot by the caseload before he got the big press. On one of his many deliveries – he delivered his own wine in those days – he asked us with amazement what we were doing to sell so much of his wine. We answered simply that we liked it. Fortunately, his auspicious début was no flash in the pan; Jim’s dedication has not waned, and his wines continue to be among the elite each and every vintage.

With the 2002 J.K. Carriere we have Oregon Pinot in the style of Clos Vougeot: deep, dark and mysterious. Black fruits like boysenberries and black cherries intermingle with high-toned red fruits like red currants. As with a good Clos Vougeot, there’s structure, poise, reserve and austerity behind and in support of the wine’s fruit expression. Neither the fruit nor the structure overwhelms the other, but rather seem to work together to achieve a sense of both power and harmony.

The core of the wine contains a mineral component akin to lead pencil that adds complexity to the bright, sappy fruit. I also find the faintest hint of stems on the back-palate, à la Dujac, which brings even further dimension to the wine. The finish is long, elegant and firm, with a reprise of the lead pencil minerality. While one can certainly enjoy this wine in its youth, I advise cellar time of five to ten years. Jim ferments with wild yeasts and does not inoculate to induce malolactic fermentation, but rather allows it to occur naturally. I believe that these choices will work to the wine’s benefit and give added complexity to the wine as it ages in the cellar.

2002 Provocateur

The Oregonian - September 19, 2004
J.K. Carriere Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Provocateur 2002, $18
The 2002 vintage in the Willamette Valley is proving to be a blockbuster year, at least with respect to pinot noir. Collectively, the pinot noirs are dark and fully ripe-tasting, which isn't such a bad thing. The lesser wines are at least fruity, if one-dimensional. But the better bottlings have layers of flavors and plenty of them.

This small-production bottling, brand-named Provocateur, is from owner-winemaker Jim Prosser. (The winery name, J.K. Carriere, is derived from the names of his grandfathers.) Prosser buys grapes from various vineyards; Provocateur is a blend of four Willamette Valley vineyards.

The result is a sleek, beautifully delineated pinot noir of real substance and finesse. You'll find powerful whiffs of blackberry, black cherry and red currant allied to excellent balance. Production is small (459 cases) and distribution limited, but this is an Oregon pinot noir worth hunting down. I've had 2002 Oregon pinots asking twice this price that weren't half as good. It's a genuine bargain at $18 a bottle. -- Matt Kramer

The San Francisco Chronicle - October 14, 2004
The Chronicle’s Wine Selections: The panel’s picks for Oregon Pinot Noir priced less than $30, from 2000, 2001, and 2002.
2002 J.K. Carriere Provocateur Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: Rose, black cherry, cinnamon and earth nose; coating tannins; nicely balanced with long finish. Low production, winery only.

2001 Willamette Valley

Wine Spectator - May 31, 2003
90, J.K. Carriere Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2001, $36
Juicy, spicy style offers pepper-scented currant and berry flavors, finishing with fine-grained tannins and a deft touch of acidity. Drink now through 2008. 1,100 cases made. -H.S.

La Revue du vin de France - No. 469, Mars 2003
Oregon : le mystère des pinots de l'Ouest
Planté au nord de la Californie sous la même latitude que la Côte d'Or, ce vignoble de pinot noir s'est affranchi de l'influence bourguignonne. Animé par l'espirit des pionniers, il ne cesse de progresser.
Par Isabelle Bachelard
4 of 5 stars
J.K. Carriere Stony Mountain 2001
Ce vin do coeau est un des plus sophistiqués : desité et finesse d'un chambolle-musigny. Pour son deuxième millésime en tant que négociant-vinificatuer, Jim Prosser affiche sa maîtrise.

NW Palate
Complex aromas of black fruits, mint and toast. Warm and spicy on the palate, with rich flavors of black fruits and cola. Juicy, yet restrained; cellar 2-3 years for additional complexity. Highly recommended.

Wine & Spirits - January/February 2004, p. 58
89, J.K. Carriere 2001 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, $36
Earthy tannins and fruit are both in abundance, but the tannins take preeminence for now; the beautiful raspberry fruit, accented by scents of cardamom, is grounded by a raspy earthiness. It may integrate with some time in the bottle. (1,100 cases) J.K. Carriere LLC, Newberg, OR

San Francisco Chronicle - Sept. 11, 2003
The Chronicle's Wine Selections: Oregon Pinot Noir
The panel's picks: 2001 J.K. Carriere Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
"Violets and roses lead to blueberry and raspberry nose, similar flavors plus cherry, olive and lime, nice texture, velvety but with an acidic kick on the earthy finish."