AVERAEN PINOT NOIR 2023, Willamette Valley

I was impressed by how the cracked pepper and vanilla balanced the cherry and blackberry notes, making this medium-bodied Pinot perfect with dinner. It's firm and focused without being too heavy, exactly what I hoped for from a Willamette Valley blend.

The violets and thyme really come through on the nose, and the firm, medium body gives it a nice backbone without being heavy. I opened it with dinner last night and the cherry and blackberry flavors lingered nicely into the finish.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well the cracked pepper and vanilla balanced the cherry fruit. It's medium-bodied but has a firm structure that held up nicely with dinner. Definitely ordering another bottle.