2011 O.P.P. by Mouton Noir Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

You down with OPP? Founded in 2007 by André Hueston Mack, former sommelier at the French Laundry and former head sommelier at Per Se in New York, Mouton Noir began as a negociant project to make wines from Oregon grapes for Mack's restaurant and sommelier clients in New York. Fortunately for Mack, his wines were good, demand went viral (with Mack's reputation and the motto, 'Kick-Ass Garage Wines from Oregogne,' how could it not?) and the project has expanded from 380 cases with the 2008 release cases to 20,000 at the end of 2012. Production now includes a tasty assortment of wines, all bearing clever, appropriately irreverent names and cheeky marketing slogans. This is the second release 'OPP' ('Other People's Pinot') and delivers more classic Willamette character, showing spicy red cherry and gingery earth spice aromas and flavors with floral top notes and herb undertones. Unabashadly juicy, made in an accessible and friendly style, this is a real palate pleaser that can be enjoyed with or without food. Now you don't have to dine in NYC's prestigious Marea, Aureole and Lure Fish Bar to get some! In a December 2012 article in the Wall Street Journal, wine writer Lettie Teague notes, "Mr. Mack admitted that some people are offended by the use of OPP, which references a certain popular rap song that references certain sexual practices, but he said he was just having fun with a play on words." (12/2012)