Quick-Sip: 2007 Soléna Grand Cuvée Pinot Noir - fruity new world pinot

Soléna Pinot Noir Grand Cuvée (2007)
Soléna Estate
Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, OR

The second of my reviews from Soléna Estate after a visit to their Grand Cru tasting room in Yamhill. This is one of the lower cost bottles of Pinot offered by Soléna, but certainly that shouldn't be taken to mean that it's lower quality.

Appearance: Soft, medium-light intensity, brick color to a faded brown rim

Nose: Clean, soft aromas, upper notes of floral and mushroom; deeper aromas of earth, mushroom, red fruit, tart cherry, and rhubarb

Palate: Dry, medium soft, round tannin, medium-low acidity, red fruit, bright cherry, unripened strawberry, cranberry, medium-light finish.

While many of their wines are from specific vineyards or regional designations the Grand Cuvée is a selection of grapes from many locales within the Willamette Valley. Blending from multiple vineyards can reduce costs, but it doesn't mean your fruit is poor, and in a bottle like this that definitely is apparent. Fruity with more of a new-world bent, this is a good example of Oregon Pinot. I've learned being in OR that 2007 is turning out to be the vintage that made wine makers better marketers. So much so I'm thinking of devoting some space solely to how local wine makers have dealt with it. A challenging harvest because of late rains amongst other issues, selecting a variety of grapes for this wine has definitely paid off. Check back tomorrow for another '07 that is completely different.

Cheers!