2006 Chehalem Cerise Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 391 cases, $24. 80% Gamay Noir, 20% Pinot Noir. “Cerise” is cherry in French. This wine is analogous to passetoutgrains in Burgundy which is made for drinking while the highly structured Pinot Noirs develop. Cerise has been produced since 1992. There are two acres of Gamay Noir planted at Ridgecrest Vineyard, a 55-acre planting on a 176-acre property which pioneered grape growing on Ribbon Ridge in 1980. Aged 9 months in barrel, racked twice, sterile filtered. · The nose is restrained, showing blue and black berries, oak and some good barnyard. The wine offers black grape flavors with respectable richness and body. Anise and pepper notes add interest and the dry finish has a spirited grip of citrus zest. A good change up from the sea of Pinot Noir. Reviewed March 26, 2009

Winery: Chehalem
From article: Rece$$ion Bumpers