De Ponte, Lonesome Rock Ranch Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

Nice wine. Bright and clear with an earthy nose. Hints of pepper and dried herbs. Smooth and balanced. This is the second bottle in the last 4 months. This wine seems to be drinking very well ight now.

I love lonesome rock but this one was shut down and really muted right now. We let it open for awhile longer in the glass and it did improve significantly but didn’t achieve an finish of any real complexity. This was my last 13, but if I had more I would wait at least a year before revising.

Light decant given. Aromas show brambly raspberry, cranberry and cherry that combine with notes of herbs, rose petal, pepper, earth and crushed rock. The palate shows a medium frame with moderate alcohol, juicy acid and moderate tannins. A little lean on the mid--palate, but a fairly even wine for the vintage. Flavors show red fruits of cranberry, cherry and brambly raspberry that are laced with notes of pepper spice, herbs, dried rose petal, rock and earth that finish moderately.

Quick trade tasting note - Tobacco leaf, pure crunchy fruits, nice forest floor with good balance.