1998 Soter Pinot Noir Beacon Hill

Soter says, 'I had no idea that Oregon grapes had this much phenolic potential; I was going for extraction and I made a monster. It was a black hole of a wine that swallowed all the new oak I gave it. I've believed in this wine for 25 years but I've almost given up a couple times'. Certified Salmon Safe and LIVE-certified sustainable. Certified organic by CCOF. Overwhelmingly nostalgic; this smells like a craft store I used to visit with my grandmother – roses, pink peppercorns, cinnamon, dried red raspberries, Red Delicious apple and sweet red plum. There's so much energy here, and the wine unwraps layer after layer of aroma and flavour. The palate has heaps of fresh acidity; tannins are firm but supple. This is a remarkable wine with a long, fresh finish and incredible structure. I can no longer remember how old I am or if I'm supposed to be writing or picking up paints. The kind of wine that makes you sad because you'll never experience it in exactly the same stage of development again. I suddenly wish this was the only wine on the table and that I was home alone with a canvas. Spectacular. (SCJ)