Fruit comes first, spice flowers and earth come after in this generous, dark red berry/cherry flavored, just-plain-good Oregon Pinot Noir. Backing up the fruit are smells and flavors of red roses, violets, allspice and toasty barrel (all quite subtle). Perfect ripeness in my opinion so the fruit shines, yet avoiding raisin or jam flavors. Medium/full bodied, gentle tannins, medium acidity. An excellent buy for $30!
Maison l’Envoye is an international wine project. The owners (Importer/Producer Old Bridge Cellars and Oregon Vintner Mark Tarlov) focus on the three Burgundy grapes (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay) from the three most “Burgundian” wine regions: Burgundy, Willamette Valley and Central Otago, New Zealand. The Willamette Valley Pinot comes from a cross-section of vineyards throughout the region.
