2016 Mineral Springs Pinot Noir

 Deep, shimmering scarlet. A highly perfumed, complex bouquet evokes red berry preserve and cherry cola aromas, along with baking spice, tea rose and smoky mineral accents. Shows impressive definition on the palate, offering concentrated, spice-tinged red fruit liqueur, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that pick up a succulent herb nuance with air. Finishes impressively long and precise, with fine-grained tannins providing grip to lingering raspberry and bitter chocolate notes. 

Truly outstanding, the 2016 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir is a downright awesome new wine from this storied Yamhill-Carlton Hills estate. On the nose the Pinot Noir shows pretty guava and cranberry aromas which are woven together with ripe red cherry, wet stone and rose water accents that mingle together. The texture and mouthfeel is outstanding as layers of bright red fruits mingle with the citrus rind, wet stone and saline drenched damp earth tones on the palate. Showing marvelously now at the four year mark, the 2016 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Pinot Noir will have a long life ahead of it.

A selection from a higher and drier location with lower vigor, which delivers more profound phenolic development. The nose has striking mineral notes with oyster shell and a rich, dark-cherry and blueberry presence, as well as a lightly spicy edge. The palate has intensity with elegance. The tannins are handsomely defined and deliver a very long and mouthwatering, red-cherry, blood-orange and pomegranate finish. Drinkable now, but better from 2023.