Description

Rex Hill Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017

92 Pts – James Suckling

TASTING NOTES

Rich, dark berries, pomegranate, rhubarb, caramel, mulling spices, and tobacco with secondary hints of balsa wood, flint, slate, and graphite. The palate is expansive and energetic with moderate tannins, balanced acidity, and integrated, approachable oak.

Pairs With:

Olive oil poached salmon, mushroom risotto, mild cheeses, grilled ahi, pumpkin ravioli, pork tenderloin, prosciutto, pizza with sausage and mushrooms

Vintage Notes

A cool, wet spring led to the latest budbreak we’ve seen for the past several years, and hence later flowering. This means a greater chance of favorable weather and the development of a large crop both in terms of berry quantity and size. This calls for discipline in fruit-thinning. The summer was warm and sunny, accumulating growing degree days and ‘catching up’ the projected harvest to about two weeks behind 2015 and 2016. Underlying the challenges of the 2017 vintage, was a very sound growing season and harvest.