Reviews and Accolades
Praise for Boedecker Cellars
“Helmed by husband and wife duo Athena and Stewart Boedecker, this urban winery in Northwest Portland is making some very solid wines indeed, with some impressive longevity…”
The Athena and Stewart bottlings give each of the partners their own creative freedom to produce two separate wines from the same vintage, tailored to their own tastes, and offer a fun way to explore what the vintage has to offer.”
— Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck 9/17/2023
2021 Vintages
Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
90 Points | Wine Spectator
A spunky Pinot, with lively flavors of raspberry and pomegranate accented by sassafras and spiced tea. Finishes with balanced tannins. Drink now through 2030
Stewart Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
92 Points | Wine Spectator
A handsomely crafted version, with expressive flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, orange peel and dusky spices that take on richness and focus toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031.
92 Points | Vinous Media
The 2021 Pinot Noir Stewart opens in the glass with a rich mix of ground clove, minty herbs and rum cake giving way to dried cherries. This displays a pretty inner sweetness and silken textures as hints of sweet spice accentuate ripe wild berry fruits. Juicy acidity maintains fantastic balance through the long and rose-tinged finale as gently grippy tannins persist.
2019 Vintages
Chardonnay
Finnigan Hill Vineyard
Willamette Valley
94 Points | Wine Enthusiast
This Chardonnay rested in neutral oak barrels for two years, followed by another 16 months of bottle conditioning. The result is a gorgeous Chardonnay with aromas of nectarines, lemon verbena and poached pears with cinnamon. Medium-bodied, with enough acidity to handle rich apricot jam, toasted almond and coriander flavors.
Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
90 Points | Wine Enthusiast
Graced with a silky smooth texture, this screw-capped wine opens with rich, sweet aromas of dark chocolate and Amarena cherries. That decadent theme continues on the palate as cherry compote, citrus and juniper berry flavors mix it up. I would consider pairing this wine with a picnic blanket and a good paperback.
Stewart Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
92 Points | James Suckling
Creamy, dense and fruit-driven with plenty of juicy strawberries, raspberries, cherries and a touch of oak spices on the nose. Medium-bodied with a mellow, delicious mid-palate with sliced strawberry character and a long, lively finish.
Pinot Noir
Shea Vineyard
Yamhill - Carlton, Willamette Valley
93 Points | James Suckling
This is intense and rich with spicy character, offering ripe cherries, red plums, smoked herbs and wet earth. Medium- to full-bodied, compact and structured with a firm backbone of tannins and a lengthy, chewy aftertaste.
Pathos
Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
90 Points | Vinous
The 2019 Pinot Noir Pathos opens with mentholated freshness and masses of medicinal red and black fruits. It’s juicy and fruit-focused, with tart raspberry depths complicated by hints of dark chocolate and exotic spice. Grippy and staining yet still fresh - this finishes potent and long, leaving a gentle tug of fine tannin.
2018 Vintages
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
93 Points | Wine Enthusiast
Glistening ruby-red. Aromas of cherry and black raspberry pick up spice and musky earth nuances with air. In a plush, accessible style, offering nicely concentrated red and dark berry flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Supple tannins frame a persistent finish that leaves cherry pit and baking spice notes behind.
Athena Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
92 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
With the majority of its fruit from the Hirschy Vineyard, the 2018 Pinot Noir Athena is dark ruby and takes on a bit more oak spice presence, with toasted cedar, baking spice, and lush black cherry fruit. Full-bodied, with ripe fruit, a dark mineral tone, and a meaty texture, it retains ample tannic structure. Gripping and serious in character, it can stand up to grilled meats. Drink 2023-2030
Stewart Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
91 Points | Vinous
The 2018 Pinot Noir Athena is very pretty, with blue-toned florals, crushed blackberries and hints of citrus forming its bouquet. This is juicy, with dark depths of red and blue fruits swirling throughout. It finishes with admirable concentration and gentle tannic grip as hints of salted licorice fade.
93 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of fruit from Cherry Grove Vineyard, Shea Vineyard, and Hershey Vineyards, the 2018 Pinot Noir Stewart displays a spicy and floral character, with notes of fresh pine, cherry liqueur, and cinnamon. Ripe and medium-bodied, with ripe present tannins, good energy throughout, and notes of mossy earth on the finish, it has broader shoulders and is still hanging on to a ripe yet firm, almost Nebbiolo-like tannin structure which I personally enjoy. Give it another couple of years and drink over the following 6-8.
90 Points | Wine Enthusiast
A dark raspberry aroma eventually gives way to delicate rose water and cedar scents. The wine's grippy tannins provide a nice frame for concentrated, sweet Black Ruby plum and cherry flavors. The mildly bitter orange pith note offers a nice contrast.
92 Points | Vinous
The 2018 Pinot Noir Stewart blossoms in the glass as dark chocolate and cola come together with cooling mint and dried strawberries. It soothes with its round textures and brisk acidity as mineral-laced red berry fruits drench the palate. A coating of fine-grained tannins lingers, yet this finishes remarkably fresh, literally mouthwatering, with long lingering purple and blue inner florals.
Cherry Grove Vineyard Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
94 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
Coming from what is now the Tualatin Hills AVA, on shallow Willakenzie soils, the 2018 Pinot Noir Cherry Grove Vineyard is a dark ruby-red color and offers savory notes of espresso, blackberry fruit, and fresh leather. Medium to full-bodied, its plush primary fruit fills the mid-palate with more sweet tannins, followed by notes of scorched earth on the finish. I enjoy where this is drinking now and it will continue to drink well over the next 6-8 years.
91 Points |Vinous
The 2018 Pinot Noir Cherry Grove Vineyard is perfumed and fresh with a blend of red florals and spiced black cherries. It washes easily across the palate, softly textured with ripe red and blue fruits enlivened by brilliant acidity. Cooling mineral tones lighten the load as grippy tannins take hold through the long, staining, violet-tinged finale.
91 Points | Wine Enthusiast
Black-and-blueberries launch an aromatic circus that includes chalkboard dust, Indonesian coffee and lemon peels. Things get darker on the palate, with blackcurrant and dark plum flavors wrapped around a core of mocha latte. The tannins are integrated, with elevated acidity and a plush texture. I'd drink this by 2026-2027.
Hirschy Vineyard Pinot Noir
Yamhill - Carlton, Willamette Valley
93 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
Also a very deep ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Hirschy Vineyard takes on notes of mocha, sun-ripened black cherry, and toasted cedar. Full-bodied and ample with ripe tannins, it’s more grounded in its sensibility, with an earth-toned profile, and delivers savory umami richness, with notes of dried porcini on the finish. It’s going to hold up well over the next 8 or more years, but I wouldn’t bet on the structure softening much. Drink 2023-2030.
92 Points | Vinous
The 2018 Pinot Noir Hirschy Vineyard opens with a dusty blend of violets and roses, complementing citrus-kissed sour cherries. This is juicy and round in character with a slow build of tension, saline minerals, and tart wild berry fruits slowly saturating. This tapers off with a cocoa bitterness and crunchy tart blackberry, lightly structured and long.
Shea Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Yamhill - Carlton, Willamette Valley
95 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
The dark red 2018 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard is packed with layers of spice as well as notes of toasted cedar, wild forest spices, and preserved black cherry. The palate is pure and inviting, with more red fruit tones shining through, a more compact tannic structure, and a bright spice of acidity. I like the energy of this wine, and it should have a wide drinking window over the next ten or so years. Drink 2023-2033.
92.5 Points | Vinous
The 2018 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard is sweetly floral with a green olive tinge to its dusty violet and lavender tones. Cooling and round on the palate, this possesses saturating dark red and blue fruit depths as saline minerals add a distinct savoriness toward the close. The Shea leaves a pleasantly bitter tinge while finishing long, staining and structured.
Solace Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
90 Points | Vinous
Glistening ruby-red. Aromas of cherry and black raspberry pick up spice and musky earth nuances with air. In a plush, accessible style, offering nicely concentrated red and dark berry flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Supple tannins frame a persistent finish that leaves cherry pit and baking spice notes behind.
2017 AND EARLIER
Athena Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
2017
91 Points | Wine Spectator
Generous and lively, with expressive raspberry, sassafras and spiced tea flavors that build structure and tension toward refined tannins.
92 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Pinot Noir Athena is attractively perfumed with cherry lozenge, quinine, and crushed roses. It is medium-bodied, with a silky texture and notes of raspberry coulis, pine, and wet stone. This lovely wine is approachable now or over the next 6-8 years.
92 Points | Vinous
Glistening ruby. Ripe, spice-tinged red and dark berries, candied flowers, mocha and smoky minerals on the perfumed nose. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, bitter cherry, vanilla and lavender pastille flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Shows fine definition and a repeating cherry note on the persistent finish, which is firmed by gently gripping tannins. 30% whole clusters; 35% new French oak.
91 Points | James Suckling
Aromas of plums, dark cherries, dried herbs, spices and cocoa powder. Medium-bodied with crunchy tannins and lively acidity. Round and textured. Fleshy and ripe with a fruity, flavorful finish. James Suckling
2016
90 points | Wine Spectator
Vibrant and fresh, with lively cherry and blueberry accents that take on sassafras and spice flavors, lingering on a long finish.
92 points | James Suckling
Attractive herbs and leaves with a wild-cherry core and a sweetly fragrant layer of baking spices. The palate has attractive build and sappy, almost tangy red cherries. Good definition here. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
91 points | Vinous
Deep, glistening red. Pungent, spice-accented cherry and red berry aromas are complemented by suggestions of succulent herbs and flowers. Lively and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, raspberry and spicecake flavors and a touch of licorice. Finishes long and spicy, with sneaky tannins and a sweetening touch of vanilla. 30% whole clusters and 33% new oak.
Cherry Grove
Vineyard
Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
2017
93 points | Vinous
Deep, shimmering red. Spice-laced cherry and black raspberry scents show fine clarity and pick up hints of musky earth and pungent flowers with aeration. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and spicecake flavors that take a sweeter turn as the wine stretches out. Closes taut and impressively long, with resonating spiciness, well-knit tannins and a lingering hint of cola. 30% whole clusters; all used oak
2016
93 Points | James Suckling
Rich, cedary aromas with bracken, forest wood and undergrowth. Ripe blueberries and star anise, as well as a rich, dark-plum streak. Those plums really claim the palate, offering rich, fleshy and ripe fruit. Concentrated and long. Drink or hold.
92 points | Vinous
Brilliant magenta. Mineral- and spice-accented aromas of ripe cherry and red berries are complemented by a smoky topnote and a hint of candied flowers. Pliant and spicy on the palate, offering nicely concentrated bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Finishes gently sweet and quite long, with a hint of succulent herbs and smooth tannins lending shape and closing grip. Vinous.com
2015
91 points | Vinous
Translucent ruby-red. Vibrant, spice-accented red and dark berry qualities on the perfumed nose, along with building floral and mineral nuances that expand slowly with air. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors with hints of five-spice powder and sweet mocha. Closes long and spicy, with resonating floral character and silky, late-arriving tannins.
Hirschy Vineyard Pinot Noir
Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley
2017
92 points | Vinous
Deep magenta. Pungent, spice-tinged aromas of cherry, black raspberry, violet and a hint of licorice. Shows very good depth as well as energy to the sweet cherry cola, dark berry and spicecake flavors, which take on a smoky nuance as the wine opens up. Slowly mounting tannins add grip to a long, focused finish that strongly echoes the cherry and spice notes.
2016
92 Points | James Suckling
Attractive, fresh strawberries and wild raspberries on offer here. This has a very attractive, earthy edge and oven-fresh pastry, too. The palate is succulent and has assertive tannins, driving plenty of rich, dark-fruit flavor. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
2015
91 points | Vinous
Bright scarlet. Pungent red berry, incense and succulent herbs on the nose, with a smoky mineral accent building in the glass. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering nicely concentrated cherry and raspberry flavors that are emphasized by a subtle baking spice accent. Fine-grained and precise in character, with a repeating cherry note, resonating spiciness and subtle tannins on the persistent finish.
Pappas Wine Co. Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
2017
90 Points | Wine Spectator
Bright and lively, with well-crafted cherry and green tea flavors that finish on a note of vibrant acidity.
Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley
2017
93 Points | Vinous
Bright ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of red fruit preserves, cherry cola, candied flowers and baking spices. Impressively concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry, cherry liqueur, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that spread out steadily through the midpalate. Conveys an appealing blend of power and finesse and finishes with gently gripping tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence. Made with de-stemmed fruit; all neutral oak.
91 Points | Wine Spectator
Steely and tart at the core, this fleshes out as it opens to cherry fruit leather, orange peel, clove and other savory accents, building toward snappy tannins.
2016
92 Points | Vinous
Brilliant, bright-rimmed ruby-red. Powerful cherry preserve, blackberry, candied licorice and exotic spice aromas are lifted and sharpened by a steadily building mineral note. Succulent and penetrating on the palate, offering gently sweet red and dark berry flavors, a hint of savory herbs and a floral pastille quality that gains strength on the back half. Finishes with excellent clarity, a resonating cherry note and youthful tannic grip.
92 Points | James Suckling
This has a very built feel with abundant, toasty oak that really dominates the nose and palate for now. Firm tannins, ripe red plums, cherries and a strong, woody edge to the finish.
2015
91 points | Vinous
Shimmering red. Pungent, spice-accented dark berry and cherry aromas, along with suggestions of candied rose, licorice and underbrush. Chewy and broad on the palate, showing good heft and spicy cut to concentrated black raspberry, cherry compote and bitter chocolate flavors. The floral quality comes back strong on an energetic finish that features steadily building tannins and a lingering suggestion of sappy dark fruit.
Stewart Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
2017
93 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to a slightly darker profile, the 2017 Pinot Noir Stewart is layered with aromas of cedar, ripe cherry, and fresh leather. It has a bit more structure, although it maintains a stylistically soft and supple nature, juicy wild raspberry that fills the mid-palate, and beetroot and mouthwatering salinity on the finish. Whichever personality you prefer, these are two wonderful wines to drink now or over the next 8 or more years.
92 Points | Wine Spectator
Supple in texture and elegantly layered, with lovely violet, raspberry and pomegranate flavors that glide on a polished finish.
92 Points | Vinous
Shimmering ruby-red. Spice-tinged cherry and boysenberry scents are complemented by suggestions of cola, musky flowers and freshly turned earth. Sweet and focused on the palate, offering juicy red and blue fruit and spicecake flavors that deepen through the back half. Dusty tannins provide grip to the long, spicy finish, which leaves a bitter cherry note behind. 40% whole clusters; 25% new French oak.
92 Points | James Suckling
Aromas of blueberries, cherries, mushrooms and baking spices. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and fresh acidity. Crunchy and spicy. Clean and flavorful finish. James Suckling
2016
93 Points | James Suckling
Sweetly spiced blueberry biscuits and notes of violets and graphite, making a fresh impression. The palate has a very plush, supple feel with smoothly resolved, fine tannins that build impressive depth on the finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
90 Points | Vinous
Vivid crimson. Displays spice-tinged raspberry and cherry scents that are complicated by suggestions of musky sassafras, herb and floral nuances. Gently sweet and focused on the palate, offering juicy red/dark berry flavors along with suggestions of licorice and bitter chocolate. Closes with solid finishing punch, dusty tannins and very good, spicy tenacity.
92 Points | Decanter
Five different clones are given the white-glove treatment: open-top fermenters, 30% whole-cluster, cold maceration, wild fermentation, 10 months sur lie; wife and husband winemaking team practise minimal intervention with a maximum by-hand approach... in an industrial warehouse. Garnet hue with generous aromas of cedar, blackberries and eucalyptus. Medium body with refreshing acidity and plush tannins. Deep and persistent on the finish. Their Gi-Gi Gewürztraminer-Pinot Gris is also excellent.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
2017
91 Points | Vinous
Brilliant red. Expressive, spice-tinged raspberry and mulberry aromas, along with subtle cola and spice nuances. Shows good depth and no rough edges to the jammy red and blue fruit flavors, which firm up slowly through the back half. Round, even tannins frame a persistent finish that leaves kirsch and cracked pepper notes behind.