2009 Carabella Estate Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

15.7% alc., 350 cases, $37. Warm summer at this vineyard site. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones 113, 114 and 115 fermented separately. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely effusive nose composed of aromas of sweet Bing cherries, fresh raspberries, tea leaf and sandalwood. Delicious and intensely flavored black cherry bombast that is akin to Pinots from the warmer parts of the Russian River Valley. Despite its muscular nature, the wine retains a nimbleness and is neither roasted nor jammy. The alcohol never rears its head, but the acidity is slightly lacking on the relatively flat finish. A meal in itself that is hard to resist. Very good. Reviewed May 11, 2012

Winery: Carabella Vineyard
From article: Large Review of 2009 & 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs With a Few from 2008 & 2011