This fall, Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash toasted the 20th harvest for their Penner-Ash Wine Cellars brand, which they sold in 2016 to Jackson Family Wines. Her touch with her flagship Pinot Noir may well have been what made the winery along Ribbon Ridge Road most attractive to the late Jess Jackson’s company. Zena Crown and Gran Moraine, two sites purchased by JFW in 2013, made significant contributions to Penner-Ash’s lot selection from 13 vineyards. She’s also been at the forefront of the movement among Oregon Pinot Noir producers to dial down the expression of oak, exemplified with her 10-month barrel program of 29% new French barrels. This beauty is loaded with dark purple fruit tones akin to elderberry and blueberry with plum, accented slightly by sweet barrel notes of cocoa powder, cinnamon and clove. And despite the record-warm vintage, this Pinot Noir is presented in a lighter structure with raspberry acidity and just a touch of tannin.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 9,100 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
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