July 15, 2023 - Prior bottle was nearly 18 months ago and this wine continues to show impressively. Red cherry, red berries, spices and earth notes on the nose. Medium bodied with red cherry and red berries the dominant fruit notes both upfront and through the middle. The mid-body does gain depth and add some deeper and darker red cherry notes. But as this was served a bit warmer than my bottle from January 2022, it didn't show the blackfruit notes that the prior bottle did. This didn't detract from complexity as the fruit overall showed excellent clarity and definition and the balance between the fruit profile and the acidity and tannins behind continued to improve. With improved balance and very good definition, this wine is a great spot for drinking over the next few years.
October 17, 2022 - Drank at 67
What can I say but this is some damn fine wine. Up against a Clos de Lambrays and it blew it away
August 5, 2022 - I concur with RGCM's note above. This wine benefits from a short decant so let the deeper notes come out. I also picked up a little (good) funk on the nose and some spice after two hours open. 93 for now. But this has years to go with upside.
January 29, 2022 - Black and red cherry, earth and floral notes on the nose. Medium bodied (13.5% ABV) with a rounded silky mix of black and red cherry upfront. Adds depth through the middle with the black cherry showing polish and elegance while the red cherry is more high toned and lightly tart; pretty and brighter. Some darker fruit notes come in towards the back, contributing to depth. Balanced acidity, fine grained tannins provide structure on the back. As it warmed from cellar temperature, more red fruit notes started to creep in, allowing the wine to show more complexity. Showing beautifully now (especially with two hours open) and I'll plan to open my next bottle in June/July 2022.
April 29, 2020 - Very juicy and way too easy to put back (even with no air time). Black cherry, blackberry, damp earth, minerals, and pine sap. Acidity is in present but in check. Medium bodied with medium plus intensity that will easily gain complexity in 2 plus years. For those outside Oregon these are very under appreciated wines.
April 2, 2020 - Fleeting aroma of coffee overlaying berry fruit. Juicy flavors of strawberry, cranberry, violets and coffee in a focused, well-balanced wine that clings to the palate with a long fade. Even better in a year or two I'd guess. Excellent.
November 2, 2019 - Similar to my Feb 19 notes. Developed a bit. Nice Oregon Pinot.
July 15, 2019 - Still somewhat tight with noticeable tannin. Lots of fruit, great mouthfeel, overall quite balanced. Should have aged longer!
February 12, 2019 - Very fruit forward. Lighter than my notes from the barrel tasting. Easy to drink with a smooth finish. Still young but this is not an overpowering wine.
July 28, 2018 - IPNC Weekend 2018; 7/26/2018-8/2/2018 (Linfield College, McMinnville, OR): Tasting pour. I like this, very young right now with firm tannins, medium weight, red berry, tighter on the nose, but everything seems to be there. 90-92pts potential.