2015 Ayoub, Pinot Noir, Memoirs, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
Mo Ayoub’s wines are some of the most exciting and intriguing Pinots I’ve tasted from Oregon (in recent years) and now with Robert Brittan, ex Stag’s Leap and his own Brittan Vineyards is now consulting (winemaker) as well as providing fruit for the non estate wines there is a wonderful consistency and persistence in the recent wines, and while I loved the early efforts, these new releases are awesome, like this 2015 Memoirs, which is made from a select group of Willamette Valley sites. Absolutely beautiful with a graceful inner perfume, lavish texture and satiny red fruits, this Memoirs by Ayoub flows with black cherry, plum and mountain berry fruits, hints of violets/rose petals, black olive, red spices, sweet smoke, cola bean and candied citrus rinds. Round, open and vibrant this is seductive Oregon juice that delivers everything you’d want and then some with mineral tones, light earthiness and length. Dreamy, satiny/creamy and lingering, this Pinot has lots of tangy lift too, I think there’s a long rewarding life ahead. There’s charm and substance throughout and it’s polished nature and ripe opulence (textured mouth feel) will certainly make this one a crowd favorite, again a big thank you to Vinopolis Wine Shop in Portland for getting me this one!
($39 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
