2014 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

(aged in 50% new oak) Brilliant red. Deep-pitched red fruit preserve, cola, spicecake and floral pastille aromas are lifted and sharpened by a smoky mineral note. Intense, palate-staining raspberry and bitter cherry flavors show a spine of juicy acidity and slowly tighten up and become sweeter with aeration. Combines power and finesse with a deft hand and finishes impressively long, displaying excellent focus and a suave floral quality.

(20 percent new oak) Vivid red. Mineral-accented red and dark berry preserve and floral scents show very good clarity and pick up notes of licorice and cola as the wine opens up. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry and cherry cola flavors that show very good depth as well as vivacity and lift. Dusty tannins come in slowly on a long, smoky finish that leaves notes of cherry pit and allspice behind.

The Résonance 2014 Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, the second release from Louis Jadot in their new venture in Oregon, was vinified at Trisaetum, and as far as I am aware will continue that way until their own winery is up and running. It is a strong follow-up to their debut 2013. It is a blend of grapes coming from different vineyards from the Willamette Valley, including Rẻsonance, Dẻcouverte and others. The bouquet is bestowed with ample brambly red berry fruit, perhaps a little "fuller" than the 2013, but with fine definition. The palate is well balanced with a similar fruit profile to the first release, perhaps just showing a little more edginess, a Pinot Noir that in a funny way expresses the wealth of knowledge behind it. Jacques Ladière, the eternal retiree, has crafted another delicious Pinot Noir that is going to win a lot of fans. Maybe one or two in Burgundy perchance?