| Score: |
94 VM.
"Limpid violet. Expansive, spice-tinged red and dark berry aromas are complemented by suggestions of pungent flowers, vanilla and a hint of smokiness. Appealingly sweet and broad in the mouth, offering sappy blueberry, cherry cola and candied rose flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. The floral and spice notes repeat on a long, spicy and youthfully tannic finish that strongly echoes the floral and cherry notes. 23% new French oak. One of Oregon’s most highly regarded winemakers, Ken Wright has released a stellar set of wines from 2018. Fans of his style will be very pleased with the fruit intensity of these Pinots, but they show welcome energy as well, with the depth as well as the structure and balance to age gracefully. Wright’s wines have always been extroverted, but in recent vintages, despite the heat, I’ve been noting a greater degree of elegance. These 2018s show a lot of aromatic complexity, and their textures are smooth, which makes them pretty delicious already, especially with aeration, but I strongly recommend holding them for at least a few more years." Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com, Feb 2022 |