[wine] Dallas News recommends 3 OR Pinots

Dallas News - Who Knew? c, j Dallas News ON THE NEW DALLASNEWS.COM! 3 smooth pinot noirs that Oregon winemakers got just right FILED UNDER WINE & SPIRITS AT YESTERDAY SHARE Written byProfile image for Rebecca Murphy Rebecca Murphy, Special Contributor Connect with Rebecca Murphy Email Don't miss a story. Like us on Facebook. LIKE DALLAS NEWS' FACEBOOK PAGE Pinot noir is an incredibly versatile red wine with food. The fruit profile may be subtle and light with raspberry, cranberry or strawberry from cooler areas or rich black cherry, plum or blackberry from warmer areas. The wine might have savory characters like bacon, earthy, forest floor. But, the three qualities that make this grape so food friendly are round fruit, plenty of acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins. The downside to pinot noir is that it is a persnickety grape. It doesn't grow just anywhere. Everything — climate, soil, rainfall — has to be just right. Then the grape must be treated gently in the winery. Of course, all this TLC means that it is hard to find a cheap and good pinot. The Willamette Valley of Oregon is one of the places in the world where pinot noir is happy. Below are three we think you might enjoy made by people who have a passion for this maddening, picky, glorious grape.Pinot Noir 2014 from Brooks Wine&nbsp;(George Barberis) Pinot Noir 2014 from Brooks Wine (George Barberis) Brooks Wine Brooks Wine was established in 1998 by Jimi Brooks, a Portland native who was well-respected for his work at Willakenzie and Maysara wineries. He died suddenly in 2004 at the age of 48, leaving his 8-year-old son, Pascal, and a pending harvest. The wine community rallied to complete Brooks' harvest and his sister, Janie Brooks Heuck, took on the task of running the winery. Pascal Brooks, Janie Brooks Heuck and winemaker Chris Williams of Brooks Wine in Oregon&nbsp;(Andrea Johnson) Pascal Brooks, Janie Brooks Heuck and winemaker Chris Williams of Brooks Wine in Oregon (Andrea Johnson) Today Brooks has 20 acres of Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards in the Eola Amity AVA. The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014 ($28.99), available at Kroger's at Mockingbird Lane and Pogo's, is quintessential Willamette Valley pinot with ethereal raspberry, rose petal and spicy sandalwood aromas and flavors. It is medium light-bodied with vivid acidity and fine-grained tannins. Sokol Blosser Susan and Bill Sokol Blosser were among the pioneers in the early 1970s who believed that Oregon's Willamette Valley was the perfect place for pinot noir. This intrepid group shared equipment, experiences and knowledge earned laying the foundation for perhaps the best region for pinot in the U.S. Sokol Blosser now has 85 acres of certified organic vineyards surrounding their Dundee Hills winery. They were the first U.S. winery to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for their underground barrel cellar. Today the winery is managed by second generation co-presidents Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser. <p><span style="font-size: 1em; background-color: transparent;">Second generation co-presidents of Sokol Blosser, Alison and Alex Sokol Blosser</span></p> Second generation co-presidents of Sokol Blosser, Alison and Alex Sokol Blosser Their Dundee Hills, Estate, Pinot Noir 2014 ($34-$39), available at Corner Wines, Dallas Fine Wines & Spirits and Total Wines, is an elegant, graceful wine with vibrant raspberry jam flavors intertwined with savory notes of bacon and sandalwood. It is medium-bodied with a taut balance between fruit, acidity and ripe tannins. Domaine Nicolas Jay grapes come from their estate vineyard, Bishop Creek Vineyard in the Yamhill Carlton AVA of the Willamette Valley.&nbsp;(Domaine Nicolas Jay) Domaine Nicolas Jay grapes come from their estate vineyard, Bishop Creek Vineyard in the Yamhill Carlton AVA of the Willamette Valley. (Domaine Nicolas Jay) Domaine Nicolas Jay A newcomer to Oregon debuting in 2014 is Domaine Nicolas Jay, a partnership between Jean-Nicolas Méo of Domaine Méo-Camuzet in Burgundy and Jay Boberg, a music entrepreneur who founded IRS Records. The grapes come from their estate vineyard, Bishop Creek Vineyard in the Yamhill Carlton AVA of the Willamette Valley, as well as from growers throughout the Willamette Valley. The Domaine Nicolas Jay, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir 2015 ($69), available at Bar and Garden and La Cave, is richer than expected for an Oregon pinot with lush, complex ripe raspberry, blackberry flavors layered with baking spices. It is powerful, with medium full body, yet silky smooth in the mouth. -- James Ellingson cell 651 645 0753 Great Lakes Brewing News, 5219 Elliot Ave, Mpls, MN 55417 James(a)BrewingNews.com BeerGovernor(a)gmail.com