Review: 2019 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir L’Ensemble Willamette Valley

Review: 2019 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir L’Ensemble Willamette Valley

Review: 2019 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir L’Ensemble Willamette Valley

Here’s a curious wine born from a  partnership between music entrepreneur Jay Boberg and Burgundian winemaker Jean-Nicolas Méo, which has been producing Oregon pinot noir in the Willamette Valley since 2014. “Meaning “together” or “whole” in French, this cuvée brings together fruit from Jay and Jean-Nicolas’ favorite vineyards and the best resulting barrels from each.”

Let’s try it.

This classically styled Oregon pinot noir features lots of cola and dark cherry notes throughout, winding its way through a moderately acidic body to a finish that ultimately features notes of milk chocolate, almond, and a slug of licorice. The wine is never earth-shattering, but it features just about everything you expect from the Oregon pinot experience — and it pairs very well with food.

A- / $70 / nicolas-jay.com

2019 Nicolas-Jay Pinot Noir L'Ensemble Willamette Valley

$70
9

Rating

9.0/10

A veteran journalist, the author of four books, a published poet, and an award-winning winemaker, Christopher Null has more than 25 years of experience writing about wine and spirits. He founded Drinkhacker in 2007. He also writes regularly about the science of booze for WIRED and is an occasional contributor to ADI's Distiller magazine. He has been a judge for both the American Distilling Institute Judging of Craft Spirits and Whiskies of the World spirits competitions and often works as a consultant, developing formal tasting notes for spirits brands around the world.

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