Oregon tasting notes

text and photographs © 2009 Tom Cannavan

These notes accompany our in-depth feature on Oregon wine.

Atticus, OREGON

Atticus Pinot Noir 2005
Very fragrant, lovely gentle cedarwood aromatics. Tiny notes of tobacco and smoke to quite bright, gentle red fruit. The palate has a balanced delicacy, with savoury acidity and a background streak of something liquoricy to the tannins. Delicate and balanced. 89-90/100.

Atticus Pinot Noir 2006
About 25% new oak for this cuvee, but after racking and blending, back into new oak just to add a little flesh. Very forward, quite plush and ripe, with a little touch of floral and herbal aromas. This has more sweetness on the palate, with a really full, juicy cherry fruit. Has a fleshier appeal, with a big, chewy tannic background and plenty of spice. Has a little heat of alcohol. 88/100.

Atticus Select Pinot Noir 2006
Barrel selection, mostly Yamhill Springs fruit, has a little more new oak (60%) to suit the jammy, more ripe fruit. Quite a tight, muscular black fruit nose. The palate has a deep-set pool of limpid black fruit, with the edge of sweet, juicy cherry. It has a solid, rich, sweet and silky complexity. Very long finish. 91/100.

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