2005 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Meredith Mitchell Vineyard

The 2005 Pinot Noir “Meredith Mitchell Vineyard” is unusually dark in color for the vintage. It has a slightly muted nose which, with coaxing, reveals spicy oak, black cherry, cola, and black raspberry. On the palate the elevated acidity of the vintage is apparent and the wine is firmly structured. However, there is a wide band of dark-inflected fruit which keeps things together. This is one I would drink near-term while the fruit is present. Ken Wright has a Syrah/Claret project under the Tyrus Evans label. The fruit is sourced from southern Oregon and eastern Washington. I tasted four wines, all of them outstanding. I list them without tasting notes: 2004 Claret “Del Rio Vineyard – 90; 2004 Claret “Ciel du Cheval Vineyard” – 91; 2005 Syrah, Walla Walla – 92; 2005 Syrah “Del Rio Vineyard” – 90+. Ken Wright Cellars has long been one of the reference points for Pinot Noir fanatics. Ken Wright is the ultimate terroirist, stating on his web site (which I highly recommend reading) that the value of Pinot Noir is that it is the perfect vehicle for expressing the characteristics of the site in which it is grown. He says that the secret to making great Pinot Noir is “?learning how to farm. Every vineyard has its own issues.” Tel. (800) 571-6825; www.kenwrightcellars.com. Also tasted: 2005 Pinot Blanc (91), 2005 Chardonnay “Celilo Vineyard” (93)