J. Christopher Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

The 2012 J. Christopher Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is a lush, highly expressive, and beautifully evolved Oregon red wine from an exceptional, warm, and dry growing season. Sourced from a south-facing site planted in 1992 on volcanic Jory soils, it pours a lovely translucent ruby-garnet color in the glass. The nose lifts with an inviting, fragrant bouquet of fresh red cherry, rose blossoms, and sweet berries, seamlessly intertwined with complex nuances of dried earth, cedar, and a delicate hint of butterscotch. On the palate, this medium-bodied Pinot Noir is remarkably round, supple, and fruit-forward, delivering concentrated, hedonistic flavors of juicy black cherries, plums, and a faint touch of vanilla. Partially fermented whole-cluster with native yeasts and aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, it shows incredible texture balanced by a fresh acidity and fine, integrated tannins that resolve into a long, mineral-driven finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with wild salmon teriyaki, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, roasted duck breast with cherry reduction, pan-seared pork belly, wild mushroom risotto, and mild cheeses like Brie or aged Gruyère.

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast