2012 tasting notes
If you buy 10 Oregon Pinots this vintage for your cellar, this should be one of them. 2012 marks Westrey's 20th vintage, and what a fitting vintage to make a super special, limited, collectible Pinot noir. I could pick one word to describe Cuvée 20, and I'd steal winemaker David Autrey's word; completeness. An incredible sense of depth, a beautifully textured, seamless body, an aroma that makes you bury your nose in the glass. Without question one of the wines of the vintage so far - I have full confidence that two years from now I'll have eliminated the "so far." Expect this to age impeccably and like it's name, it could well see its 20th birthday in dynamite form.
Cuvée 20 is a four-barrel blend that showcases something few Willamette Valley wineries can boast: 35+ year-old vines, in this case from Abbey Ridge (1 barrel), and the original plantings from their Oracle estate vineyard (3 barrels). 2012 was a warmer vintage in which older, self-rooted vines performed exceptionally well. The deep roots helped regulate ripening so it happened more gradually, enhancing the depth of flavor. And damn does this thing have depth of flavor! - Marcus
93 points Tanzer: "Brilliant ruby-red. Expressive, spice-tinged aromas of red and dark berries, cola, allspice and potpourri, with a hint of smokiness in the background. On the palate, intense, appealingly sweet black raspberry and boysenberry flavors are sharpened and lifted by juicy acidity and a touch of peppery spices. Suave,seamless and penetrating on the finish, framed by silky, fully enveloped tannins."