2018 Hundred Suns "Sequitur Vineyard" Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir

The 2017 release of this wine was in my top five wines of the year and the 2018 is every bit as good. Hundred Suns winemaker Grant Coulter spent many years working as the winemaker for legendary Orgeon stalwart, Beaux Freres. During his time there he gained access to some of the most coveted vineyard sources in the region and Sequitur is one such site. Sequitur is the personal passion project of Beaux Freres founder Mike Etzel. This small vineyard high on Ribbon Ridge is farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles with incredible attention to detail to ensure pristine fruit. This is a serious and powerful wine composed of heritage Pinot Noir clone Chalone, Pommard plus some "suitcase clones" of undisclosed origin. The wine is both highly floral and aromatic but brooding and cloaked all at once. Like a deep purple rose with the outer petals just opening but with many more layers to unfurl. Some very positive whole cluster characters give lift and spice. The wine is quite linear and focused in its youth but the flavors are impeccably pure and bright. Purple fruits, Asian spice, hibiscus all underpinned by a distinct soil driven mineral component. This has a very "Grand Cru" feel to it. Clearly a stunning, polished, poised bottle of wine, the best is likely yet to come but can you keep your hands off it tonight!?