By Duane Pemberton
Winery website: http://www.luminoushills.com/

I first met owner/winemaker, Byron Dooley at the Yamhill tasting event back in June and he was serving up what was probably my favorite Pinot of the day. Talk to him even briefly and you’ll see and hear his passion for producing varietally correct wines that reflect the region and vineyard sites from which they were derived.

Technical Data: 

• Cases Produced: 147
• Clone Selection: Pommard, 777
• Soils: Sedimentary, Volcanic
• Harvest Dates: October 12, 2009
• Bottling Date: September, 2009
• Cooperage: 23% New Oak
• Alcohol: 15%
• Price: $35

Nose: Cedar shavings, cranberry pie filling, spice with a hint of some tire-shop action. (Go into any tire store, smell around, and you’ll see what I mean) – this is not at all a bad thing as I personally dig it.

Taste: Beautiful cranberry assault with hints of rhubarb, spice, wet cedar shavings, rose petals and casis. Beautiful, rock-solid mid palate transition that maintains good tannin structure with beautiful fruit that lingers on for hours. This is easily one of the better Pinot’s I’ve had from the Yamhill area and is one I’d highly encourage anyone to seek out.

W.E.P. Rating: 100%