Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir (2018) 375ml

Raspberry and dark cherry lead into woodsy aromas of mushroom, violet and thyme. Full and very fruit-forward, the wine finishes long with cardamom and warm baking spices. To make Elk Cove Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, fruit from each vineyard block is fermented separately in small, temperature controlled steel tanks, hand punched down twice daily, and barreled in french oak barrels. After 10 months of aging in 20% new oak, the wine Elk Cove chooses for the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is carefully blended to produce the most approachable, well-balanced Pinot Noir they make.

Tasting Notes

91 James Suckling
This has a very attractively fragrant and perfumed nose with roses, red cherries and berry pastry. The palate has good intensity and depth with very supple, sweet red cherries taking center stage.

91 Tasting Panel
Deep ruby color, bright cherry nose; ripe cherry, juicy style, crisp, racy and fresh; long and tangy.

90 Wine Enthusiast
Here is a textbook example of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Sturdy and dark-fruited, it's a reasonably substantial wine, well balanced and showing light barrel influences of toast, coffee and smoke. Nothing too fancy, but varietally true.