2016 Iris Vineyards Areté Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.58, RS 0.1 g/L, 100 cases, $59.99. Released August 2019. A selection of the best barrels from the best blocks of the estate vineyard. Harvest Brix 24.5º. Wädenswil, Pommard, 115 and 113 clones. 100% de-stemmed into 1.25-ton open-top fermenters. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. · The nose is primarily oak-driven , even when sampled the following day from a previously opened bottle. There is some nice black cherry and purple berry fruits at the heart of this wine, but the oak treatment overrides the pleasure. The silky texture is quite appealing as is the finish that has some purpose. When tasted the following day, the oak had somewhat integrated indicating this wine would benefit from more time in the cellar but will always be oak infused. Just not my cup of tea. Score: 89. Reviewed July 8, 2019

Winery: Iris Vineyards
From article: Extensive Tasting of 2016 & 2017 Vintage Willamette Valley Pinot Noir