2016 AWE Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., $50. Sourced from Olenik Vineyard planted in 1989. Volcanic soils with basalt rocks. 100% Pommard clone. Harvest Brix 23.3º. 25% whole cluster fermentation. Aged in neutral French oak barrels for 12 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Tasted twice two months apart with this review based on the second tasting that was most recent. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, raspberry, savory herbs and compelling spice. Mid weight plus in style, with expansive flavors of plum, blackberry, allspice, and a whiff of leaf and stem. The fruit finds every nook and cranny in the mouth. Silken in texture, with modest tannins, and a juicy finish. The wine offers matching flavor ripeness and phenolic ripeness. More overall pleasure when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Thoroughly enjoyable now, but another 6-12 months in bottle will prove even more rewarding. Score: 93. Reviewed May 10, 2018

Winery: AWE Wines
From article: Willamette Valley Pinot Noir