Cloudline Pinot noir 08

On the palate, the wine is soft and round, with a delightful core of cherries and red fruits. The structure is perhaps even a bit better than the much-admired 2005 Cloudline, and the overall fruit-forwardness makes for a wine that is thoroughly enjoyable now and for the next several years to come.

Previous Vintage Tasting Notes

2005 Vintage Tasting Notes

Forbes Magazine named this one of the 25 Great American Pinot noirs and said: "A wonderfully valued Pinot that knocks the socks off most California versions at twice the price, thanks to its fine balance of bright red-berry flavors and strong, soft tannins. It's fresh and lively now, but give it another six months and some of its sharper angles will have rounded out nicely."

"The 2005 Cloudline has an inviting ruby red hue, and fresh aromatic nuances of raspberry, violets and a touch of spice. On the palate, the wine is all cherries and red fruits, with great balance and length. The tannins are soft, and the overall fruit-forwardness makes for a wine that is thoroughly enjoyable now and for the next several years to come."

Cloudline is a new winery from Oregon's Willamette Valley, owned by prominent wine importer Dreyfus Ashby. The first vintage of the wine was made for Cloudline at Domaine Drouhin by Veronique Drouhin-Boss in Oregon. Dreyfus Ashby imports and distributes Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Drouhin wines.

From the winery: "The Cloudline Pinot Noir has a beautiful, dark ruby color. The nose develops well in the glass, and it possesses an intense aromatic bouquet, reminiscent of spices, blackcurrant and other red and black berries. On the palate, Cloudline offers a caressing texture and a long flavorful finish."