Fresh cranberry, fallen leaves, vibrant red cherry. Orange zest, worn leather, foraged raspberry. Delicate and ethereal wafts of wild strawberry, tart red plum, and rhubarb puree highlight an incredibly nuanced and unmistakably Burgundian display lovingly embellished with hints of turned earth, rose petal, and pine tree. Gorgeous impressions of damp volcanic soil, oyster mushroom, and autumn forest expose captivating organic charm lifted and brightened by subtle floral tones of lavender and hydrangea. Notes of coriander, cardamom, and nutmeg expose a pinch of delicate spice that playfully offsets a deliciously gamy edge rife with au jus, venison, and iron. Hauntingly expansive and aromatic on the nose while remaining remarkably smooth and silky on the palate; exhibiting flawless balance, perfect typicity, and distinct reflections of world class terroir. Medium bodied with soft yet persistent tannin beautifully supported by elevated acidity. This 2015 "Laurène"  Estate Pinot Noir by Domaine Drouhin Oregon is an astoundingly complex, elegant, and classic red from the Dundee Hills. 

In 1987 Burgundy's Drouhin family purchased 97 acres of land in Oregon's Willamette Valley with the specific intention of growing world class Pinot Noir, and it did not take long until this legendary bunch of French vignerons were producing outstanding wine on two continents. This bottling, crafted by Domaine Drouhin Oregon using Pinot Noir sourced from their Dundee Hills estate vineyard, is an incredibly impressive and compelling achievement from one of the world's most accomplished wine producing families. It manages to capture extraordinarily expressive earthy, spiced, and gamy nuances in a way few other American wines can while presenting them alongside fantastically tart, complex, and expansive fruit. This wine seamlessly marries old world sensibility with new world terroir in a package that is both highly contemplative and absolutely delicious. Simply outstanding.