2014 Scott Paul Wines, Pinot Noir, La Paulee Cuvee, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Originally made for a special La Paulee celebration, this Scott Paul is now available at $18, which is less than half price through multiple outlets, the original winery price was $39, and this Kelley Fox made 2014 version is a steal with a generous and elegant focus and easy to love personality that is much more sedate than Kelley’s own lineup which seem much more thrilling, but not as easy as this polished and silky La Paulee Cuvee from Scott Paul. The 2014 La Paulee is very silky and flows seamlessly across the medium bodied palate with loads of red cherry, plum and cranberry fruits, light spices, cola bean, subtle toasty oak and a nice streak of mineral, ripe tannin and sweet floral tones which is a rose petal array in the nose. The dark crimson and ruby hue is very pretty in the glass and this Pinot Noir never puts a foot wrong, it’s very lovely from start to finish and with lots of admirable quality in the glass. Fox at Scott Paul, as the winery puts it, is a bottling that was selection of superior lots from our blocks of Maresh and Nysa Vineyards in the Dundee Hills and Ribbon Ridge and Azana Vineyards on the Chehalem Mountains that was aged in all neutral French oak barrels. Still fresh and focused, it will drink very nicely for another 3 to 5 years with graceful ease, and at this price it is more than worth it, stocking up is not a bad idea. Scott Paul is now crafted by Ian Burch, since Fox has left to concentrate on her own label, and he was mentored by famed Dominique Lafon when he was at Seven Springs, so there is a lot of excitement for the upcoming wines, so keep an eye out for this winery.
($18-39 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive