Vikas Sharma

Further to my recent purchases at Everything Wine on my 51st, I did pick up some great Pinot Noir selections from Willamette Valley.

This particular wine, was a recommendation from another customer who saw me looking at the Oregon section.

A little bit about Penner-Ash: The vineyard commenced in 1998 by Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash. The couple wanted to create great Pinot Noir wines in the Willamette Valley.

Aside from their 15-acre Estate vineyard, Penner-Ash grows juice in nine other vineyards in the Valley.

As of 2016, they joined the Jackson Family of wines.

Wine: Penner-Ash

Region/Appellation: Willamette Valley (McMinnville)

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2018

Style: Red

Price: $60

The Visual: Oily viscosity in the glass with a light intensity in colour, which was light cherry with a clear rim.

The Aroma: This one took a bit to figure out, as the aroma was very light. I kept searching and searching – and finally after about 10 to 15 whiffs, I got a few notes of cassis, eucalyptus, and cocoa.

The Flavour: Light to medium intensity. Light bodied with initial earthy flavour notes, very mushroom like off the start. Not very fruit forward, at all. Perhaps some cassis and/or plum later on. Alcohol medium at 14.6%.

I found the flavours to be less balanced with a medium finish.

Dry – Has a decent structure and could probably age another five years.

Food pairing: I think this wine would go well with steak, roasted vegetables, goat cheese, or a light pasta. I enjoyed it with a homemade phyllo pie of wild mushrooms, spinach, and feta, topped with tzatziki – along with an arugula salad.

Final Comments: While I liked this wine, I was hoping for a bit more intensity in the aroma and a bit more balance in the flavour profile. It was savoury-forward with not much fruit. Perhaps it needs to age a few more years before enjoying.

Cheers – Salud – Salute – Živeli – Prost – Na Zdrowie – Skål – Santé