Last year’s Oregon Winery of the Year for Wine Press Northwest magazine shines with cool-climate varieties, and Terry Brandborg affirms that in his work with this red grape native to Trentino-Alto Adige in northeast Italy. A late-ripener that does best in warmer sites, it would seem to suit Amaranth Ridge Vineyard near the Southern Oregon town of Oakland. Planted in 2004, the grape is known to offer an abundance of aromatics and tannin, and Brandborg’s talent allows for an experience of typicity. A beautiful nose of chai spices, blueberry jam, black currant and coffee leads to a mouthfilling follow through. Pomegranate acidity mixes with a tannin structure of plum skins that’s sandy, fine-grained yet sturdy. Cherry pie filling and coffee help describe the lengthy finish, which prompted a panel member to consider drinking this for breakfast. The quest must begin by contacting the winery.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 51 cases
Alcohol: 12.2%
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