2012 Coeur de Terre Vineyard Estate Renelle’s Block Reserve McMinnville Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.56, 79 cases, $65. Release November 2014. Sourced from the original estate plantings (1999) which are a mixture of 9 clones (Pommard and two Wädenswil and several Dijon clones) and several rootstocks. This is the mother block for the rest of the estate vineyard plantings. 4-day cold soak, indigenous and commercial yeast fermentation. Aged 13 months in 45% new, 30% once-filled, and 25% twice-filled French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Restrained aromas of blackberry and black plum with a tug of charred oak. Very generous on the palate with a sappy, even sweet, charge of purple and black fruits. Substantial tannins match the fruit load. Oak plays a large role in the experience at present. Hard to find any terroir here, but the magnificent fruit is luscious. Needs time to integrate the oak and tannins. Score: 90-91. Reviewed December 11, 2014

Winery: Coeur de Terre Vineyard
From article: Recent Sips of Oregon Wines: Pinot Amore´