Ken and Celia Austin continue to work with acclaimed Alexana winemaker Bryan Weil on the cool-climate program they’ve built at Rain Dance Vineyards, and the focus for this is on their original estate vineyard, a 15-acre former Christmas tree farm north of Bell Road near Newberg, Ore. While there are five clones in play, Dijon 667 takes the lead. A deft touch with the all-French oak barrel program, 29 percent new, allows for a slight Burgundian sense to the nose of Bing cherry and dark red currant. There’s elegance to the structure with raspberry pie and Montmorency cherry, backed by mint, cigar box spice and a pinch of earth. Suggested pairings include cedar-planked salmon, roast duck or pasta with mushrooms.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 164 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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