Dark ruby red color. A little herbal and alcoholic on the nose but with black fruit overtones. On the plalate there is a core of blackberry fruit but it's hiding under a vail of strong tannins. Tight and a bit closed down at the moment. Tannins get a bit rough on the finish. This wine has the fruit but will need time for the tannins to resolve themselves. 87 pts. for now. Could get better if the furit holds on long enough for the tannins to soften.

Cheers

Paul

paulie, your notes mirror mine on the 2002 barrel sample of Panther Creek Bednarik:

"Tannic, hard to evaluate, 88"

It seems to be the most tannic PN from OR in my experience.

For whatever reason, I think that all Panther Creek Pinots tend to be on the tannic side. I don't like that style and haven't regularly tried their wine for that reason. Having said that, I'll probably try one and not pick up that characteristic.

Duke, I'm sure you've had more Panther Creek wines than I have, but I haven't noticed their other vineyards being particularly tannic. Looking at my barel tasting notes from last Summer, I thought the Shea and Freedom Hill were soft enough for early drinking. I will say, though, that I have found Panther Creek PNs to age better than most other wineries in the Willamette region. Possibly a little exrra tannin plays a role.

Board O,
Actually you probably have had more Panther Creek than I. Until the last few years they sold only a fraction of their wine in state and it was very difficult to find here. Sounds like I should give their 2002s a try.