Willamette Valley 2010, McKinlay

This Oregon pinot noir producer based in Newberg is taking the whole Burgundy-style approach to wine-making seriously... they don't have a website that is easy to find. This Willamette Valley pinot has that typical deep red, rather sombre looking hue, reminds me of my great grandfather's dark purple velvet curtains infused with a couple of decades of pipe smoke. A prickly nose of blackberry, black currant and spiced orange. Redolent of red licorice laces and aniseed gobstoppers which I enjoyed as a child. A fine structure, savoury and earthy upfront with a tangy, raspberry and blood orange finish. Definitely a food wine. And wonderfully restrained at 12.5% alchohol. Nose culminates on a sweet turd/cacao note. Scores 24 / 30 for a Willamette Valley. A triumph of style over potency.