Walter Scott
Bacocho Pinot Noir
Eola - Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Significant precipitated tartrates.
The aromas are those of a hot vintage. Baked fruits, caramel, and tar-like. To be fair, the fruit is about the freshest I've experienced from a 2014 lately, but it seems no wine from the Willamette Valley in 2014 has been spared from the detriments of the oppressive heat from that year.
This makes the wine more California-esque, and perhaps some will really enjoy that.
Despite the challenges already discussed, this is a very good wine. The winemaking prowess is on display. Balanced and restrained with great tannin management and plenty of lively acidity still intact.
Notes of spice cake, candied orange zest, clove, and vanilla batter. Tastes of raspberry syrup, and overripe blackberry.
The flavor is remarkably balanced and does not come across hot or boozy like other 14s I've had, but it has a most peculiar hollowness on the mid-palate that leads to a short finish.
All in all, a pretty great effort from a very challenging vintage. At least as far as the long term cellar is concerned.
I can't see much advantage to holding on to this any longer, although I'm sure it will hang on to its plateau for another two or three years.
Significant precipitated tartrates.
The aromas are those of a hot vintage. Baked fruits, caramel, and tar-like. To be fair, the fruit is about the freshest I've experienced from a 2014 lately, but it seems no wine from the Willamette Valley in 2014 has been spared from the detriments of the oppressive heat from that year.
This makes the wine more California-esque, and perhaps some will really enjoy that.
Despite the challenges already discussed, this is a very good wine. The winemaking prowess is on display. Balanced and restrained with great tannin management and plenty of lively acidity still intact.
Notes of spice cake, candied orange zest, clove, and vanilla batter. Tastes of raspberry syrup, and overripe blackberry.
The flavor is remarkably balanced and does not come across hot or boozy like other 14s I've had, but it has a most peculiar hollowness on the mid-palate that leads to a short finish.
All in all, a pretty great effort from a very challenging vintage. At least as far as the long term cellar is concerned.
I can't see much advantage to holding on to this any longer, although I'm sure it will hang on to its plateau for another two or three years.
