This Oregonian Pinot is quite dark and nearly opaque, very extracted and brooding.  On the nose I get cinnamon, cherry and black currants.  It’s an interesting mix for this varietal.  The initial palate is telling- very fruity with tannic grip right off the bat.  This is not your typical Old World Pinot folks, it’s full throttle with all the bits and pieces.  Cherry cola, sassafras and a hint of oak are all present.  The mid palate is a continuation of the theme but there is now a hint of acidity showing up.  It’s quite nice if you like this style of Pinot.  The finish is a dry affair, tannins and black tea alongside the red fruits and spice.  It’s not my cup of tea but it will certainly appeal to many.  Technically speaking I would give this $23 wine 90 points and 4 stars.  Drink till 2027 with lighter fare.  Salut….

This was the star of the 4th Virtual Wine Tasting.  I would normally taste a Pinot Noir right after the whites/Rosès and well before a hearty Merlot- but this wine was the ringer.  I knew it would be the overall favorite so I wanted it to come last and stand on it’s own merits.  It was stunning.  It showed very nicely in the glass, see through with medium shades of purple.  On the nose I immediately got the telltale cherry.  Others noted cinnamon, chocolate and strawberry.  It was not heavily tilted on any one component, rather a very nice melangè of all the smells.  On the palate it showed off black cherry, spice box, cedar in the form of cigar box.  Fine grained tannins and a very balanced acidity made this wine very balanced and gave it a nice crisp mouthfeel.  Many in the group did not like some of the tannic wines- this one was right up their alley.  Pinot, being such a delicate and light grape is difficult to grow and make into a balanced and delicious offering- once again this winery has done it very nicely.  This cuvee is their lower priced offering that hits on all cylinders.   I am going with 91 points and 5 stars for this $45 beaut.  Drink till 2028 with lighter fare.  Salut….

Absolutely see-through and a very pale shade of red. The nose gives me bing cherry, wild strawberry and clove.  The palate is quite intriguing.  A muted red fruit presence with a touch of cinnamon and mushroom. Raspberries represent on the mid palate alongside rooibos tea and sour cherry.  The acidity slides in nicely, not overdone nor abrupt.  It’s a nice mouthfeel with a touch of heat on the finish.  There is a cedar component as well that I’m enjoying.  Overall it’s a decent Pinot that I’m giving 89 points.  4 stars for this $16 effort.  Salut….

See through pale purple with nice legs in the glass.  The nose is all about strawberries.  After a good swirl there’s violets and some yellow cherries.  On the palate it’s a very smooth rendition of strawberry meets cherry cobbler.  A touch of oak is a nice nuance.  The mid palate continues the theme and some acidity kicks in.  There’s a nice mouthfeel to this wine that carries it on to a decent length finish .  I’m digging it and the beercan chicken is gonna pair beautifully.  90 points.  Drink till 2026.  This wine gets 3 stars for its $40 average price.  Salut….