From the idiosyncratic wine maker John Thomas.  While 2008 is considered a great vintage in the Willamette Valley, it was ripe and not really up John's wheelhouse, yet, he adapted and made a wine consistent with his style and taking what the vintage offered.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight Kirsch and just a hint of spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, big cherry fruit with underlying spice.  13.5% abv.  There are also firm tannins, not something you get much with Pinot Noir.  It was be interesting to let the tannins resolve and there is plenty of fruit to wait.  This will get there and score even higher for those with patience.  Still, drinking well now.  Drink over the next twenty years.  It drinks lovely on its own and will work great with a mushroom ragout.  

Grade: 
A
Score: 
95
Vintage: 
2008