Scott Neal’s flagship wine routinely yields gold medals in regional competitions, and his latest work pulls heavily from his vineyard outside of McMinnville, Ore., incorporating his Renelle’s Block, Sarah Jane’s Block, Abby’s Block and Tallulah’s Run while gathering up Pinot Noir from eight clones, including Pommard, Coury and five Dijon clones. The nose delights with aromas of rose petals and fruit punch and savory clove spice. The palate starts off with a dusty hisbiscus/rose, the midpoint is full of vanilla spice with a touch of Rainier cherry, and it’s capped with raspberry cream soda. A structure that highlights acidity over tannin makes for a wine that’s remarkably versatile, particularly with chicken, turkey or pork. Last fall, this yet-to-be released Pinot Noir received a gold medal at the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition, a judging staged on behalf of some of the Northwest’s leading wine buyers, merchants, sommeliers and writers at the Columbia Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Ore.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 1,495 cases
Alcohol: 13.7%
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