Elouan Pinot Noir 2018 (Belle Glos)

Cellar for up to 3 years. No need to decant before serving. This elegant Pinot Noir is carefully composed with fruit from the Willamette, Umpqua and Rouge Valleys which all benefit from a cool climate thanks to their proximity to the Oregon coast. The nearby Pacific Ocean helps to moderate temperatures, giving the vines plenty of time to develop and ripen slowly. This unrushed growing season creates wines with great depth of flavour and a crisp acidity which provides balance to the rich fruity aromas. In tribute to these special growing conditions, winemaker Joseph Wagner chose to name this wine Elouan which meaning "good light" after the abundant sunshine that helps ripen the grapes during these cool summers. A fifth-generation winemaker, Joe left his Napa Valley homeland for Oregon seduced by the region’s potential for supple, vibrant expressions of the Pinot Noir grape. Typical of Oregon Pinot Noir, the wine opens with intense dark plums and black cherry jam on the nose, leading on to blackberries, boysenberries and a smoky tobacco character on the palate. The pure essence of the varietal is clear from the first sip with plenty of ripe red fruit, distinctive gamey and earthy hints and gentle tannins. This medium-bodied wine would be an ideal complement for Peking duck, pan-fried salmon or venison.