J. Christopher, Dundee Hills (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Pinot Noir 2018

 This is made from several vineyards within the Dundee Hills.  The fruit is 100% destemmed, and the juice is fermented via native yeasts.  With the malo-lactic occurring naturally, the wine is aged for 29 months in 25% new barriques and bottled without fining or filtering.  Unusual deep dark color for a Pinot Noir, the wine’s primary aromas of black cherry and raspberry evolve and gain complexity with a slight mushroom or truffle component.  It offers a big and soft entry on the palate with a velvety texture and flavors highlighting cherry fruit in mid-palate and leading to earthy, black tea and light oak in the background.  This finishes long with enough tannin and oak to suggest it will peak in 5 to 7 years.