One of the most thought-provoking wines of the last few months. How can a wine be this ripe, but also so savory and compelling? It's riding a knife's edge of balance, but comes out totally triumphant, for now. Massive, but in a sinewy, lean, muscular way, like a Olympic swimmer. There's a dark, brooding core of wholly pinot noir fruit: maraschino cherries, damson plum, raspberry purée, ultra-ripe bing cherry. There's an unexpected rich meatiness of beef stock and duck fat, as well as a heady earthiness like hen-of-the woods mushrooms or perigord truffles. A layer of rose perfume floats on top, a soprano in aria. Oak is clearly present, but totally dialed in. The acid is refreshing, but contrasting with a rich, velvety Grenache-like mouthfeel. An extremely nuanced wine that simultaneously hits like a Mack truck. I'm not going to rate it because I don't even know how to put it into context. Never tried a pinot like this. The only haunting specter is a tang of alcoholic heat, leading me to suspect that while this wine is delicious and has a few years in front of it, it is slowly being pulled by the dark gravity of its alcohol. The Sine Qua Non influence and ambition is clear ideologically.
One of the most thought-provoking wines of the last few months. How can a wine be this ripe, but also so savory and compelling? It's riding a knife's edge of balance, but comes out totally triumphant, for now. Massive, but in a sinewy, lean, muscular way, like a Olympic swimmer. There's a dark, brooding core of wholly pinot noir fruit: maraschino cherries, damson plum, raspberry purée, ultra-ripe bing cherry. There's an unexpected rich meatiness of beef stock and duck fat, as well as a heady earthiness like hen-of-the woods mushrooms or perigord truffles. A layer of rose perfume floats on top, a soprano in aria. Oak is clearly present, but totally dialed in. The acid is refreshing, but contrasting with a rich, velvety Grenache-like mouthfeel. An extremely nuanced wine that simultaneously hits like a Mack truck. I'm not going to rate it because I don't even know how to put it into context. Never tried a pinot like this. The only haunting specter is a tang of alcoholic heat, leading me to suspect that while this wine is delicious and has a few years in front of it, it is slowly being pulled by the dark gravity of its alcohol. The Sine Qua Non influence and ambition is clear ideologically.
2 people found it helpfulJan 19th, 2015
Fantastic pinot from Maggie Harrison at Antica Terra. Classic aromatics with scents of dried cherries, rhubarb, hints of pine, and some great earthy undertones. The palate is rich but elegant at the same time, with great acidity but plenty of fruit to keep it on balance through a lingering finish. I am absolutely convinced that high-end Oregon pinots need several years in the cellar to integrate, then it just sings. Awesome.
Fantastic pinot from Maggie Harrison at Antica Terra. Classic aromatics with scents of dried cherries, rhubarb, hints of pine, and some great earthy undertones. The palate is rich but elegant at the same time, with great acidity but plenty of fruit to keep it on balance through a lingering finish. I am absolutely convinced that high-end Oregon pinots need several years in the cellar to integrate, then it just sings. Awesome.
Feb 9th, 2018
Eola - Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
