by Patchen Markell » Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:31 pm
Cameron 2013 Dundee Hills (Oregon) Pinot Noir, "Arley's Leap." 12.5% ABV, $48.00. A funky nose on opening which mainly blows off over the first 10 minutes in the glass. (Originally this TN was just going to be Andrea's first reaction: "if strawberries had butts!") An intoxicating mix of floral and forest-floor elements on the nose. On the palate, aggressively acidic cranberry and pomegranate fruit, opening out with time into other red berries. Very long, gaining momentum in the mouth, turning herbaceous and showing some unintegrated wood on the finish, though I think this may see only 1-3yo barrels. This is very lively and and I like the style a lot. Living in the present with this bottle, I've got no complaints. Thinking analytically and prospectively, I start to worry that the acid may be a little overpowering, that it's lopsided toward the back end, that the fruit might not have the concentration to age in time with the skeleton. But coming back to the end of the bottle a couple of hours after opening, it seems a lot more integrated (and is showing deeper black-fruit notes throughout). This was my first encounter with Cameron, and I'd be curious to compare the (apparently more delicate) Abbey Ridge and the (apparently more powerful) Clos Electrique from the same vintage.
cheers, Patchen