A Taste Through Time: The Caelestis Cellars Pinot Noir Vertical

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Pinot Noir has a remarkable way of telling time.

The variety is famously expressive of both place and vintage, but there is another story unfolding quietly in the cellar: the story of time itself. How long the wine spends in barrel. How much influence the oak has. How that oak changes as it moves from new to second- and third-year barrels. And, ultimately, how all of those decisions shape the wine that ends up in the glass. This is what makes a vertical tasting so fascinating. 

We are excited to share our specially priced Pinot Noir Vertical Collection with you.

This collection brings together our three vintages of Pinot Noir from the Barnes Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA: 2021, 2022, and 2023.

These wines are three chapters in the evolution of a wine, a winemaking philosophy, and our understanding of how this Pinot Noir, from the same vineyard, responds to time. Each vintage spent progressively more time in progressively older French oak— 12 months in the 2021, 16 months in the 2022, and 20 months in the 2023. Find your specially priced Pinot Noir Vertical here and sip along with us.

2021: Structure & Classic Oak Influence

Kim’s favorite, the 2021 Pinot Noir spent 12 months in new French oak.

The fruit expression begins with dark cherry and plum, followed by a fuller mid-palate and firm, structured tannins. Vanilla and subtle toast from the new oak add another layer to the wine.

There is a sense of immediacy here—the fruit is generous, the oak is clearly present, and the structure gives the wine plenty of presence and backbone.

It is a fascinating starting point for the vertical because it establishes the framework against which the next two vintages can be tasted.

91 points — James Suckling

2022: Integration & Complexity

Christian’s favorite, the 2022 Pinot Noir takes another step forward, spending 16 months in a combination of new and second-year French oak.

The fruit profile shifts toward cherry and marionberry, with a distinctive graphite character adding a savory, mineral dimension. With additional time in barrel and less reliance on entirely new oak, the components begin to knit together.

The result is a wine with more integrated tannins, greater complexity, and layers of spice and vanilla that complement rather than dominate the fruit.

Where the 2021 shows us structure and oak, the 2022 begins to show what happens when those elements are given more time to become part of the wine.

94 points — Paul Gregutt

2023: Nuance & Terroir

Newly released, the 2023 Pinot Noir represents the next evolution.

After 20 months in French oak—using second- and third-year barrels—the wine moves further away from obvious oak influence and toward nuance.

Tart cherry, plum, and mineral notes lead into earthy and savory complexity, followed by a long, nuanced finish.

The longer time in the barrel and older oak allow the wine's other characteristics to come forward: texture, minerality, savory detail, and a stronger sense of place.

This is Pinot Noir becoming increasingly about terroir rather than oak—a wine that asks you to slow down and look for the details…pure Oregon Pinot.

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The Story in the Glass

Taste these wines side by side, and the progression becomes remarkably clear.

The 2021 emphasizes structure and the influence of new oak.

The 2022 brings integration, spice and complexity.

The 2023 moves toward nuance, savory character, minerality and a more pronounced expression of terroir.

But there is an even bigger story here.

These wines allow us to taste how time becomes an ingredient in winemaking. The fruit changes from vintage to vintage, but so does our approach in the cellar—how long we allow the wine to rest, how we use oak, and how we increasingly let the character of the Pinot Noir and its place of origin speak for itself.

That is the beauty of a vertical: You get to taste the changes for yourself. 

Three vintages. Three stages of evolution. One Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir story. Which one do you love the most? 

This exclusive Pinot Noir vertical is the only way for non-members to gain access to the last bottles of our 2022 Pinot Noir. Join us as a member for access to all of our very limited inventory. 

Every day is a drink-the-good-wine-day!