2016 Chapter 24 Pinot Noir Rosé and Arrow The Black Walnut
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Tasting notes
Black Walnut has soils composed entirely of red basalt alterite which supports a wine that is sweet and round from the taste of fresh berries and cherries. At first glance the soil in Black Walnut seems like a deep, red top soil but closer examination of the 'articulated' area of the vineyard reveals 100% oxidised volcanic rock weathered to such a degree that it is on the cusp of becoming but not yet soil. The Black Walnut Articulate is 0.96 acres (0.4 ha) within a 10 acres (4 ha) of planted ground near the crest of the Dundee Hill at 900 feet (274 m) above sea level. Notably dark crimson. Intense, sort of liqueur quality on the nose. Marked acidity as well as concentrated fruit and pretty marked tannins. Indeed rather drying on the end at the moment. Rather painful at the moment. For the long term. (JR)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
This is one of Rose & Arrow's "articulate" wines. Fruit is sourced from the Black Walnut vineyard at the crest of the Dundee Hill at 860 feet in elevation, planted on red basalt. Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Worden Hill—The Black Walnut has a lovely nose of dried red cherries, blueberries, warm black cherries and licorice with exotic scents of lilac, violet, sage and tobacco leaf with earthy touches and a strong vein of crushed rock minerality. Medium-bodied, it’s silky in the mouth, packed full of black and blue fruits with tons of spice, floral, earth and rocky layers. It has a firm frame of elegant tannins and wonderful juicy acidity, finishing very long and very layered with great energy. Yum! 149 cases produced.
Shimmering red. Powerful black raspberry, cherry liqueur and potpourri scents, along with hints of incense and exotic spices. Fleshy and concentrated but strikingly lively as well, offering palate-staining red/blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that are sharpened by a spicy white pepper flourish. Finishes bright, floral and extremely long, with resonating spiciness, fully integrated tannins and a lingering cherry note. (JR)
Rose & Arrow is the new project from the Chapter 24 team that focuses in on niche areas of the Willamette Valley rather than the regional blends of the other Chapter 24 wines. These are a surprising jump in quality and nuance thanks partially too to a shift in the local winemaking team, and the consulting work of Pedro Parra to identify unique blocks of vineyards in the area, which are then vinified and bottled in small quantities. Savoury black-and-blue fruits with hints of smoke on the nose move into a silken mouthfeel of succulent fruits enveloped in savoury character. Fresh and snappy with lots of length while at the same time carrying luxury flavours. Nice freshness, luxurious restraint and elegance. Flavours of dark brown sugar – without the sweetness – appear on the finish. Seductive, persistent, and super-drinkable. (ECB)