2010 Antica Terra Botanica Pinot Noir

This is part of Maggie Harrison's project in Oregon and I can honestly say that these are some of the most exciting wines in the market right now. Maggie worked under Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non for nine vintages and now she has her own project in Willamette called Antica Terra.

This particular Pinot Noir is built around fruit from Shea Vineyards in Yamhill, where they work with 8 acres of Pinot Noir split between the East and West hill.

On the nose I get brilliant aromas of bing cherry, smoked meat, teriyaki, mineral, wet forest floor, and red raspberry. It's a bouquet that displays the best of Oregon terroir, but still exudes a great fruit-opulence and breadth of complexity that combines the best of a cool weather climate and the sunshine that can always be found in the more southerly regions of the Pacific coast.

On the palate I get flavors of bing cherry, tangy red raspbery, ripe cranberry, wet stone/mineral, and hints of smoke. The wine is a full-bodied Pinot Noir that has balance acidity and shows a beautiful youthful exuberance that should help it age gracefully for the next 5-8 years. 93 points


90 point wines under $20 at Wine.com. Shop Now!