Forgive me, as I must begin this with a small rant.

My first thought regarding this bottle was ‘Oh, this is going to be good.’ And I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed.  But my second thought followed quickly on the heels of the anticipation; ‘What on earth is with this cork?’

Is it some weird agglomerate or what? It wasn’t a one-plus-one (a core of agglomerate with a cork disc on either end). It was like plastic, but not, and looked like fake cork.  It was also hard to remove.

Please, either go old school or make the switch to a Stelvin  cap, but stop with the weird half measures and especially when they’re inserted into such expensive (imported-into-Canada) bottles of wine.

Okay, rant over.

Planted on “Wellsdale” soil formed of marine sediment and grown on a prime southeast facing slope at 350-450 feet altitude, these grapes were harvested in 2008, an A grade season in Oregon according to Decanter magazine.  Although September was cold, wet and miserable, October turned warm and dry and grapes were still being harvested close to Halloween.

We visited their tasting room in August 2012  located in beautiful downtown Carlton at the old railway station, but purchased this on Saltspring Island for a Labour Day west coast salmon dinner.

Pale garnet with even legs this wine starts with a medium plus nose of strawberry juice, blackberry, raspberry, pomegranate and black cherries overlaid on dried herbs.

The palate has medium plus acidity, medium body and is dry with medium ripe, lightly grippy, powdery tannins.  Medium body and medium plus flavours of more blackberry, raspberry and an especially strong cherry juice, there was some restrained cedar and a medium plus finish with soft spices, mushroom and dried herbs.

Pure and direct, layered aromas and flavours with elegant structure, it grew better the longer it was open.  This is well-balanced and drinking perfectly now.  Decant for a short hour and drink soon if you’re holding any.

It went great with a baked sockeye salmon fillet and farmer’s market fresh heirloom tomatoes tossed in basalmic and olive oil.

WSET top end of ‘very good’/lower ‘outstanding’.