2018 "Tour Rain" Vin Rouge - Leah Jørgensen Cellars

Wild blueberry, bay leaf, crushed dark cherry. Spiced strawberry, loamy earth, fresh fig paste. Wild and crunchy bursts of black raspberry, huckleberry, plum, and mixed currants pop with delightfully vibrant juiciness while snaps of forest floor, basil, and loose-leaf tobacco impart charming organic nuance. Hints of crushed violet, iris, and dried lavender emerge to expose fragrant floral overtones that play in tune with pleasant natural notes of cedar and fallen leaves. Integrated impressions of sage, thyme, and marjoram reveal interesting herbal flair balanced by a pinch of spiced decadence in the form coriander, coffee grounds, and cocoa beans. Charmingly rustic suggestions of iron and old barrel round out the attack with admirably elegant and almost old world character. Subtly rich and delicately concentrated on the palate while remaining perfectly pretty and restrained; exhibiting a creative yet classic presentation that achieves both terrific complexity and balance. Medium in body with soft yet elevated tannin supported by bright acidity. This 2018 "Tour Rain" Vin Rouge by Leah Jørgensen Cellars is an exceptionally unique, lively, and loveable red from Oregon. 

Although red wine production in Oregon is largely dominated by Pinot Noir, this region also has incredible potential to make high quality reds from a number of other dark-skinned grape varieties. This bottling, crafted by Leah Jørgensen Cellars using a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Gamay sourced from within Oregon, showcases the propensity for Loire Valley red grapes to thrive in the cool climate of the Pacific Northwest. While it is terrifically fresh and unpretentious this wine contains outstanding earthy, spiced, and herbal nuance to compliment its bright and juicy fruit. It manages to simultaneously come across as both playful and serious, and certainly makes for an intriguing and enjoyable drinking experience. Delicious.