Ebony Wines Olenik Vineyard Pinot noir 09

Review:

Oregon Pinot noir - Ebony Wines Olenick Vineyard Pinot noir 09 -

Chris Mazepink, Shea's winemaker for the 2003-2007 vintages (including the Wine Spectator Top 100, 95 point 2004 Estate Pinot noir) has started his own winery, Ebony.

Chris's Pinot noirs are a lot like his Shea wines but he’s evolved his winemaking into his own unique style.

With the single vineyard Olenik, he’s working with the vineyard’s unique soil - and makes a fascinating, distinctive Pinot from it. The wine has soft, full hints of minerals, a very intriguing nose that’s not fruit, not spice, but something a lot more interesting.

The mineral notes are not the often found slate/earth flavors. The fruit is hard to tie down - fleshy blackberry - is that possible? And there're a hint of pomegranate and plum. Long layers of undefinable spice merge with more minerals on the finish. At $45 it’s worth more.

The Olenik is one of a kind - Chris has a singular style that takes all of the round, full flavored fruit center typical of his Shea wines and goes one better. - Jean

Olenik Vineyard is a rocky site owned by winemaker Chris Mazepink with relatives. He describes it as unique, and notes that some of the most famous vineyards in the world have a high rock content.

The winery name "Ebony" was inspired by the dense, hard black wood of India and Sri Lanka. Chris saw an elephant on his parent's dining room table made from ebony and was struck with the strong, elegant, rich, smooth qualities that match what he strives to achieve with his wines.