Panther Creek Cellars 2014 Winemaker’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
The flagship Pinot Noir bottling by Tony Rynders for Oregon’s rejuvenated Panther Creek brand encompasses four growing regions and six vineyards, including the large Wildewood and Loubejac plantings influenced by the Van Duzer Corridor near Monmouth. There’s a slightly hedonistic approach to this darker Pinot Noir, starting with aromas of black cherry and blackberry with bittersweet chocolate and mint. It’s more reddish on the palate with President plum and Craisin flavors as pomegranate acidity easily overtakes the minimal tannins, leading to a rewarding finish of boysenberry.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 5,154 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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