2003 Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir

[dananne]

Willamette.

Normally, we would decant this, but as our primary decanter had been washed earlier in the day, we just popped and poured this. It likely would have benefitted from some time in a decanter, as it's drinking very tightly right now. Nice dark garnet color with a floral nose (I'm poor with flowers, but maybe violet or rose). Tannic cherry fruit from entry to finish, with an earthy/clay note and a whiff of barnyard late. A touch hot, as I've found in some Oregon '03s. WS gave it a 90 and said to '12. If I had any more, I'd let them sit for 3-5 to resolve the tannins issues and hope things toned down a bit. Alc. 14.5%. Paid about $22.

[Kcwhippet]

Did you pick that one up out there, Dan?

[dananne]

No, we picked it up here, but I wanted to pop it before our trip back there in August. If I'm not mistaken, you've given a nod to Willakenzie here and there through the years. Worth a visit?

[Kcwhippet]

I think so, though maybe we may have a slight bias. Judy worked with Bernard Lacroute many years ago when Digital Equipment Corporation was still around. We visited the winery back in 2001, and met Bernie, but neither he nor Judy recognized each other until someone else in the tasting room mentioned DEC. Then both Judy and Bernie mentioned they both had worked there, too and after talking found out they briefly worked in the same group together more than 20 years ago now. At any rate, we do like their wines a lot. They have a wine club and they often send clonal bottlings - not just the blends they go into. They ship anywhere, too.

[Bucko]

I've pretty much avoided 03s from Oregon -- hot and overripe. Always exceptions though.