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Van Duzer Vineyards 2012 Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $55
By Great Northwest Wine on June 12, 2015
Burgundy native winemaker Florent Merlier shows a flair with this blend of five Pinot Noir clones — Dijon 777, 115, 114, 113 and 667 — which work in concert with each other beautifully. It starts with fruit-forward aromas of cherry pie filling, dusty blueberry, watermelon, pomegranate and smoked white pepper. A smooth entry of ripe strawberry and Rainier cherry builds into mouthfilling, yet sandy tannins that cruise into a smooth finish of vanilla extract. That tannin structure and extraction from 50% new French oak over 10 months, backed by all that fruitiness, makes this a Cab drinker’s Pinot Noir.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 195 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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