2012 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Botanica (Willamette Valley)

Haven't tried the Botanica cuvee in a long time  Maggie Harrison's pinot noir's are beautiful and will do nicely since Manfred Krankl (her mentor at SQN) stopped producing pinot noir from Oregon (Shea Vineyard sourced, I think) many years ago. 

Even though it's early in the drinking curve for this wine, it shows very well with lots of air. Double decanted (minimal sediment) before taking to restaurant. 

Rich flavor with balance... very much a grand cru representation IMO. Produced primarily from Shea Vineyard.. Willakenzie soils are clastic with some limestone influence (not volcanic). 

Black and red fruit, very fine mineral backbone and a savory element that wraps around your palate to keep you from putting the glass down. Nose is stunning mix of floral, spice and sous bois. Both Josh Raynolds and Neal Martin have brilliant tasting notes that more clearly describe this wine.  This will be absolutely gorgeous with another few years of cellaring, but it's definitely worth checking out now.

Antica Terra is my favorite Oregon pinot noir apart from Thomas, and one of my favorite pinot noirs period.