2008 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard comes from a site originally planted in 1981 but which has mostly been replanted because of phylloxera. It delivers a spicy, understated bouquet leading to a slightly narrow mid-palate and average length finish. It is the only wine in the collection that does not merit an outstanding rating. Ken Wright’s Pinot Noirs in 2008 are exceptional but only slightly better than his 2007s from a much more difficult vintage. Perhaps it is in the more challenging vintages that the cream really rises to the top, whereas the challenge in 2008 was to NOT make a really good wine. Tel. (503) 852-7070; www.kenwrightcellars.com
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Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Bright red. Very fresh and expressive on the nose, displaying strawberry, raspberry, fresh flowers and a hint of blood orange. Racy, youthfully taut red fruit flavors are given spine by juicy acidity and are nicely framed by silky tannins. Gains intensity with air and finishes with very good clarity and spicy cut. Wright said that after this vineyard was replanted 10 to 12 years ago, with different contouring of the vines, "the tannins have become finer because the fruit is ripening more smoothly because of the new exposures. The wines used to be pretty ungiving when they were young but that isn't the case anymore."