Escarpment Vineyard Over The Edge Pinot Noir 2008

Over The Edge Pinot Noir 2008 from Escarpment Vineyard - exceptional value on their entry level Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

1/25/10
The Over the Edge Pinot Noir is a new direction for the Escarpment portfolio as it is more wallet friendly as the other wines in this producer’s lineup have played in the more premium price range. So the verdict so far is that their initial foray into the value range seems to be quite successful, as the wine truly delivers a lot of varietal typicity as well as regional characteristics. The nose has that stony, earthy, mineral component that is derived from the regions unique soils, interspersed with an herbal, stem top note that gives a spicy, earth based component as well as some deeper, darker red fruits, along the lines of currants, dark raspberry and black cherry aromatically.

A somewhat larger scale to the body, at least in Pinot Noir terms, gives it a fuller mouthfeel, bringing forth a denser palate than one would expect in light of its pricing. The tannins are finer tuned, a touch powdery, the fruit in a deep dark raspberry, black cherry mode with some mineral, stoniness and dark stone fruit pit on the finish. With some aeration this fleshes out nicely gaining more roundness and suppleness. We worked this wine over a few days and it really held together nicely, actually rounding out and softening more on the palate as well as the having the fruit become more dominant and the herbal quality less pronounced and more harmonized into the fruit. In light of its price this is held together very well and in terms of many Pinot Noir we have tried,regardless of price,this didn’t start to fall apart with the extra days of being opened.

This is a lot of wine for the money and could be put aside and laid down for at least six months or so to begin to soften the edges and let it really develop more of a supple feel without losing any of its fruit’s freshness and vibrancy. This should really start to transform nicely with just a tad more time under its belt, otherwise we advise to decant or open and let sit for a day, you will be rewarded accordingly. This offers exceptional value.

Awards, Reviews and other Notes

90 pts Wine & Spirits February 2010 (Best Buy)
From Larry McKenna's vineyard, Over the Edge is his more affordable line of wines. This wine needs a day of air to get past its funky vegetal tones and emphasize the brighter raspberry flavors of the fruit. It's layered and intense, a spicy, earthy pinot noir to cellar for several years. Once matured, it will match brisket.

Price

SKU

Varietal

$12.99

8688

Pinot Noir