Expression 44 Roserock Pinot noir 08

Review:

2008 Wine Spectator - 94 points - Ripe and vivid in distinctive character, bursting with blueberry, wild raspberry, roasted red pepper and tomato leaf aromas and flavors, all of it sailing through the racy finish. Light and agile. Drink now through 2018. 150 cases made. - H.S.

Moderate crop levels combined with a warm growing season typified the 2008 vintage in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley, and resulted in superb fruit quality at harvest. The pristine clusters of Pinot Noir were cold-picked, destemmed, sorted and then underwent a prolonged cold-soak for optimum extraction and texture. Fermentation was done in one-ton small batches, and then the resulting wine was “barreled down” into French oak barrels (1/3 new) to deepen texture and add refinement. Bottled in September 2009, this stunning Pinot Noir shows off beautiful fruit, demonstrates a combination of power and grace and continues to turn heads! - the winery

Elsewhere online for $75.