In France’s Loire Valley, this Bordeaux grape is known as Côt, so that explains why Portland winemaker Leah Jorgensen chose the double reference to the variety. She works with the Moore family of Quail Run Vineyards on this site, and while harvest came at 24 Brix on Sept. 23, Jorgensen steers her version away from the fruity New World-style of Malbec. In the glass, its appearance is one of inky purple fruit, and the nose carries notes of chalkboard dust, caramel, black pepper, black cherry and toasted filbert with some orange peel. The structure offers ripe dark plum and bittersweet chocolate on the entry, which transitions to gangly tannins and leads to a finish of Montmorency cherry and pomegranate. Suggested fare includes Cassoulet, Duck Confit and other fowl, braised meats, sausages with garlic and blue cheeses such as Barkham Blue and Stilton.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 72 cases
Alcohol: 14.34%
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