Disclaimer: I am a mere mortal. I do not profess to be an expert or to possess a superior palate. So, don’t take my word for it; try it for yourself!
Digging through my stash, I came upon this forgotten-about bottle. I believe it was acquired after my husband was suckered into joining a wine club. That said, this is not a shabby bottle of wine. Its deep ruby color is much darker than the typical Oregon pinot.
Swirl and sniff. At first the nose was shy, but after a while it opened up to aromas of cherries and toast, with a hint of creaminess.
Swig. Definitely decant, would be my advice. This pinot needs a little time to open up, but when it does, it reveals the dense, black cherry flavors that teased the nose. There is a spicy, pepper quality accenting the fruit. After some encouragement (aeration), the flavors blossom. While skipping the mid-palate, this wine finishes nicely.
Overall: I’ll drink it without too many complaints; it could be a bit rounder on the palate. If you happen to have a bottle, what are you waiting for? Personally, I don’t think it has the tannins to go much further in the cellar. So, drink up!
