Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015, Shiba Wichern

Having recently arrived in McMinnville I headed to Woodard Wines to get advice on a first bottle to crack open. I had not tasted a wine from Shiba Wichern before so plumped for this following the advice of Jeff Woodard (pictured). Despite some serious ullage which would be closer to what you may see on a 20 year old wine the composite natural cork was in perfect shape and the colour was a fresh, transparent, medium ruby red. First nose of blueberry (this is Oregonian wine after all!), plum torte, oak, orange marmalade, it’s fairly subtle and points to well controlled harvest timing and vinification. Bouquet evolves to dried thyme, star anise, hay loft. Finishes on a slightly odd waft or saw dust but this blows away. The palate is very consistent with the nose: pleasant berry fruit, cherry, long, oak and fruit tannin. Medium bodied, uplifting raspberry acidity, very good balance and overall savoury style. Enjoyable and well made. Scores 77/100.