This opens up nicely with 15 minutes of air. Neutral wood, mild baking spices and woodsy sous bois. Out going fruit featuring red/black briar berries and black cherry with some subtle soy. Appealing brightness and persistence with noticeable yet tamed tannins. This has integrated nicely over the past several years. I wouldn’t call it layered or particularly complex but it presents a lovely balance with elegant definition. A brash vintage with Doug Tunnell’s deft touch in evidence.
I remember trying this wine at its release and wondering if it would ever come around. Like many of the 2008s for me, they were uncharacteristically big and somewhat tannic - not the kind of wines I expect from Oregon. It sounds like they’re finally coming into their own. I still have a number of 2008s in the cellar, but I focused more on 2010, which appears to be more in my wheelhouse.
I think a fair number of the 2008 wines are coming around, but the difference between 2008 wines and 2010 wines is the biggest turning point in my career.