2015 Roco Pinot Noir Knudsen is the first one for winemaker Rolin Soles under the Roco label. We had a chance to taste Knudsen Pinots when Rolin was the head winemaker for Argyle years ago, and we were looking forward to the new reincarnation of this wine.
2015 Roco Pinot Noir Knudsen
Fruit for this 2015 Roco Pinot Noir comes from the Knudsen vineyards in Dundee Hills AVA in Willamette Valley of Oregon. The first vines were planted here at the dawn of Oregon winemaking in 1974. Fruit for this wine comes from replanted high-density Dijon clone vines.
2015 was the second in a row warm vintage with an early blooming hot and dry summer, resulting in the early harvest and very ripe fruit.
Color
It has a medium ruby color we come to expect from Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs
Aromas
While there were some familiar aromas of rose, cherry, and stewed strawberry, we also sensed caramel and baking spice. The last two are something that we don’t expect in Oregon Pinot Noir. And that made even more exciting.
Flavors
2015 Roco Knudsen Pinot Noir has a medium body with medium acidity, just a touch of tannin reflecting the warmer vintage. We tasted the flavors of ripe strawberry, raspberry, cherry, baking spice, and vanilla.
It had a finish of ripe red berries with a savory note.
Conclusion
We liked this new reincarnation of Knudsen Pinot Noir under Roco’s label. This fruit-forward wine complemented by underlying savoriness can be enjoyed on its own and is versatile enough to accompany your meal from appetizers to steak.
We think it might please those who like fruit-forward wines much more than anyone who prefers old-world pinots.
We would recommend it with grilled salmon and lamb chops both seasoned with Mediterranean spices, or duck with cherry sauce.
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