2019 Arterberry Maresh "Winemaker's Reserve (Maresh Vineyard)" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

Full, bright-rimmed red. Potent, mineral-accented cherry and red berry aromas are complemented by suggestions of five-spice powder, cola and candied flowers. Silky, energetic and alluringly sweet, offering vibrant raspberry, cherry pie and rose pastille flavors that show superb detail and spicy back-end lift. Deftly balanced and focused on the incisive finish, which is framed by discreet, polished tannins. (JR)

I was thrilled to get a small parcel of this wine direct from the winery. The Winemaker's Reserve bottling is seldom sold outside of the tasting room or mailing list, so we consider ourselves very lucky to get offered some! Sourced entirely from the old vine blocks at Maresh Vineyard planted in the early 1970s, the Reserve bottling is a small, hand-selection of barrels that winemaker Jim Maresh feels most represent the season and place. It is a supremely elegant, yet subtly powerful wine with these 50-year-old, dry-farmed vines issuing forth a small but mighty crop of fruit. Winemaking here is very simple yet precise, native yeast fermentation, some whole-cluster inclusion, gentle extraction, long ageing in mostly neutral French oak. One of the most sensual and complex Pinot Noirs you will find from the region.