2016 Cameron Winery, Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Oh, wow, this very dark 2016 Cameron Ribbon Ridge Pinot is really something else, it has a crazy first impression that goes between a Joguet Chinon (Loire Cab Franc) and an old Beaucastel Chateauneuf! That quickly ducks away and a pure Nuits-Saint-Georges like Pinot Noir comes through, it is somewhere between Domaine(s) Maume and Chevillon for a reference point, in other words it’s an intense Oregon Pinot from John Paul at Cameron Winery with loads of dark blooding fruits, mineral tones and a leathery/earthy charm. A hint of brett? A touch of animal just adds to the old world seduction in this way over delivering wine that comes off Alan Foster’s Ribbon Ridge vineyard site, plus Armstrong Vineyard, with it’s vineyard that was recently converted to dry-farmed grapes, these are set on the AVA’s unique Willakenzie soils, formed by ancient marine sediments as well as some gravelly loams. Both this Ribbon Ridge AVA and the Dundee Hills AVA are both native yeast ferments with the wines aged for nearly 2 years (between 18-24 months as per normal here at Cameron) in a mixture of French oak barrels varying from new to completely neutral and bottled without filtration or finning, pretty classic Burgundy style winemaking as is John Paul’s way of things. Layers of black cherry, racy currants, plum and dusty blackberry fruits dominate the palate along with rose petals, dried acacia flowers, meaty notes, exotically earthy dried porcini, minty anise, cedar and a hint of balsamic as well as bright acidity and a firm frame as you’d expect in a young Cameron Pinot. With more time and air you find wild strawberry, lavender and kirsch, but to get your kicks and the best rewards you’ll want to have plenty of food with this one, duck confit or breast, or game hen would be excellent choices, otherwise robust cuisine options would be preferable. This is another killer value from a top Willamette producer, drink over the next 5 to 10 years, even in this ripe vintage this wine shows focus and at 13.5% natural alcohol it does not lack for balance or complexity, I love it.
($25 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive

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