When a Pinot Noir producer in Oregon uses the state appellation on the label, that’s a clue to the influence of riper Southern Oregon fruit factoring into the mix. And the Fries family used young plantings of Dijon clone Pinot Noir at its Coles Valley Vineyard in the Umpqua Valley to boost the fruitiness alongside their Willamette Valley gatherings of Pommard. The combination produces aromas of black currant, black cherry and Marionberry with elements of forest floor, earthiness and all spice. All of those notes can be detected on the dense palate, which brings penetrating pomegranate acidity with restrained tannin, backed by earthiness and spice in the finish.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 12,000 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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