BERGSTRÖM PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON
WHY BUY: This thrilling trio of wines from the still-criminally underrated Bergström — a 98+ pointer, a 96-pointer, and a 95-pointer that Wine Spectator ranked No. 32 best wine of 2023 — proves definitively why this small, family-owned estate is one of the best producers of Pinot Noir on the West Coast. All three of these are single-vineyard, estate-grown, and nurtured in sandy, sediment-rich soils; those soils force the roots of the grapes to dig as many as 15 feet deep beneath the earth, which is what gives to these wines their distinctive minerality, along with power, concentration, and lift. We love that Bergström makes wines with such care and craft. Alas, though, it doesn't make very many. Which just makes today's offer that much more special … and an inducement to stock up with a case or two.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Jeb Dunnuck reserved his loftiest praise for the Le Pré du Col 2023, awarding it 98+ points and calling out how it "carries depth and power" while maintaining "the weightless feel that runs through the estate lineup," with "ripe tannins, supple texture, and refreshing acidity" that make it "a wine worth cellaring." His 96-point review of the La Spirale 2022 captured the wine's distinctive personality, noting how its "nose leads with notes of candied roses, sweet herbs, wild raspberries, delicate spice, and incense" before delivering a “crystalline" experience with "well-defined, ripe tannins” and that signature "salty note on the front of the palate.” Wine Spectator hailed the Silice 2021, its No. 32 wine of 2023, for being "supple, richly textured and elegantly complex,” and “unfold[ing] with notes of forest floor and brown baking spices."
OUR TASTING NOTES: Three vineyards, three personalities, one unmistakable Bergström signature …
* The Silice opens with that vibrant red huckleberry character that's become a calling card here, with sandalwood and herbs de Provence weaving through Red Delicious apple notes before the sandy soil minerality asserts itself on the finish. The hint of salinity in the mix is a marvelous surprise.
* La Spirale is a gorgeously finessed Pinot, with beautifully developed aromatics. We loved its hints of wild herbs and incense, but what really seduced us here was the marine sediment minerality that adds the kind of complexity that money can't usually buy at this price point.
* The Le Pré du Col is the deepest and most brooding of the three, with a savory, almost chocolatey nose and a palate that moves you from loganberry to cocoa nib to oak spice with assurance and grace. The faint but unmistakable oregano notes add marvelous filigree, and the finish is both serious and light on its feet.
THE STORY: The Bergström family began its Willamette Valley journey in 1999, when John and Karen Bergström, along with their son Josh, converted a former cattle ranch in the Dundee Hills into what would become one of Oregon's most respected biodynamic operations. Josh had just completed his oenological studies in Burgundy, bringing back techniques and philosophies that he immediately applied to the unique geology of the Pacific Northwest. The Silice vineyard takes its name from the French word for silica, fitting given its location across four rolling sandy hillsides in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Geologists believe these soils to date back 60 million years to an ancient beach. The vines here struggle against intense sun and consistent winds, producing fruit of unusual character and concentration. Bergström's commitment to biodynamic farming reflects genuine agricultural philosophy rather than marketing positioning; the family treats each vineyard as a complete ecosystem, allowing soil character and natural processes to drive wine personality rather than imposing external concepts onto the fruit. The result is a small portfolio of wines that capture specific places with remarkable fidelity, made by people who understand that great Pinot Noir requires patience, restraint, and respect.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: The Silice works beautifully with a cedar-plank salmon or truffled risotto, while La Spirale calls out for a rich duck confit or a Moroccan tagine with preserved lemons. Le Pré du Col can handle bigger flavors, and makes magic alongside them. Think: herb-crusted lamb, Japanese wagyu, or even Korean galbi.
FUN FACT: The sandy soils of the Silica vineyard extend 12-15 feet deep before hitting sandstone, forcing the vines to dig extraordinarily deep for nutrients. This, more than anything, accounts for the wine's distinctive mineral signature.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only source directly from the producer to ensure that you bottles arrive as they should, and as you deserve: with pristine provenance guaranteed. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in IL, KS, KY, MI, MO, NM, NY, OK & TN. the Le Pre du Col is not available in FL. This offer will expire on Monday, June 1st, 2026.