2013 Pinot Noir Oregon

Vivid ruby-red. Expansive red fruit liqueur and floral pastille scents are complicated by hints of cola and woodsmoke. Plush and round on the palate, offering juicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. In an ample, flamboyant style for the vintage, but the wine's smooth tannins add shape to its lingering finish.

The first fruit picked before the rain came. Light, sweet and fresh on the nose. Lightly vegy palate, chewy on the finish. Modest, but long and fresh. (JR)

The 2013 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is matured 100% in oak for 11 months of which 20% is new. It is a little more backward on the nose compared to the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir '13, probably because it had only recently been bottled. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin that ensure this is very easy drinking. No hard edges here: smooth in the mouth with strawberry and raspberry coming through on the finish.