Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

Domaine Drouhin Oregon's Dundee Hills Pinot Noir comes from the Dundee Hills AVA in Oregon's Willamette Valley and is made in a Burgundian style. The reference notes describe red-fruit flavors, silky tannins and balanced acidity. Those are also the traits Pinot Noir from this appellation usually shows, so expect red cherry and raspberry, possibly with earthy or forest-floor notes and a touch of baking spice from oak. The body should be light to medium, and the finish should be fresh and moderately long rather than heavy or jammy. The tannins are described as silky, so the wine is smooth on the palate and doesn't grip. Acidity is what keeps it lively, and that freshness is why this style works at the table. It suits dishes that would overwhelm a bigger red. Roast chicken, duck breast, seared salmon and mushroom risotto are natural matches. Pork tenderloin with a fruit-based sauce also works, and so do soft, nutty cheeses such as Gruyère or Brie. Avoid heavily spiced or very rich, fatty red-meat dishes, which can flatten the fruit. Serve it slightly cooler than room temperature, around 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C). Thirty minutes in the refrigerator before opening usually gets it there. Pinot Noir of this type rarely needs formal decanting. If the wine seems tight when first poured, pour it into a large glass or a decanter for 15 to 20 minutes to open the aromatics. A Burgundy-style glass with a wide bowl and a tapering rim gathers the delicate aromas and lets you appreciate the fruit and earthy notes. For cellaring, the producer's Burgundian approach and the wine's acidity suggest it will drink well in its first several years. It should also hold for a few more if stored on its side in a cool, dark place at a steady temperature. Check the vintage on the label to judge where it sits in that window. If you open it young, a short decant can help the fruit and structure come together.