Grapelive Wine of the Week
By Kerry Winslow
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2009 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon.
This new release is a high percentage of Shea Vineyards fruit and other top sites that Mike Etzel, winemaker thinks add depth and character to this cuvee. I love this vintage, it has all the delicate class of a fine Burgundy with unique Oregon charms and terroir. The 2009 Willamette is more subtle than the 2008, but richer and more complex than 2007, both of which I adored as well. The nose is dried flowers and smoky toast with hints of violets and red fruits leading to a palate of cherry, plum and tangy mountain berries, while a spicy mineral almost flinty note plays in the background with Asian tea spice and savory currant notes. This wine is unfiltered and unfined and has all the earthy and pure Pinot character you have come to expect from this great Domaine.
($50-55 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
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