The expression of the Scott Paul La Paulée Pinot Noir is very much in line with what I would expect from the 2012 vintage in the Willamette Valley. A year with textbook growing conditions has endowed this Pinot with suitably lush red-fruit notes—black cherries and crushed raspberries are underpinned by notes of iron, forest floor, decomposing leaves, and a wisp of smoke. The impression of lushness carries over on the palate and is lifted by moderate acidity and an enduring, lightly spicy finish. Sample
9.0 Points