Just In: Nicolas Jay 2016 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

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Nicolas Jay 2016 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 13.5% $65
A dark and brooding Pinot Noir, this wine has black cherries, violets and licorice. It shows impressive subtlety and poise, especially given this ripe vintage. The one-third new, French oak use is so subtle that its influence almost has to be imagined when tasting the wine. Wisps of spice rack unfurl as the bouquet opens. Surprisingly, despite the early harvest, this wine is framed by surefooted structure. The invigorating acidity highlights the wine’s polished yet pleasantly tannic tug.

If the wine continues as is, this third vintage from Nicolas Jay may take the longest of the Willamette Valley-labeled trio to open up in bottle. It’s pleasant now, but there should be no rush to open any bottles you have. Decant it if you can’t resist!
Drink: 2019-24