I have a great friend who introduced me to this Oregon Pinot Noir after she met the winemakers at a wine festival. I subsequently added another case to my cellar and pull it out every so often- like tonight with Cherry and Apple stuffed Pork Chops (yummmm).
The nose is pure Pinot with a touch of earth, just the way nature meant it to be. You see, my opinion is that Burgundy knows how to funk this grape up and make it sublime, yet have that certain J’ai nes se qua…. The barnyard, the ass of donkey, vegetal, forest floor. Whilst you may think I’m crazy to describe wine in such a way, have a top notch Burg and compare it to some new world stuff, just not the same.
Pinot has to have some bing cherry flavors when young, end of story. Without it, you might as well suck Syrah through a straw. With age you get the nastiness that we appreciate. This bottle has 5 years in it and is just turning the corner to greatness. elemental fruit is starting to meld, the tannins, although noticeable, as very soft and the finish is very long. Pinot is a sexy wine, sublimity is key. It should flow, seamlessly. The choice to drink this with lighter fare is obvious as it has delicacy and balance, like a ballerina.
One of my fav Pinots outside Burgundy, this beaut has 5 stars stamped all over her and I would guess a 92 point rating from the champs who know.