Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2009

WILLAMETTE VALLEY | OREGON | $29

A wonderfully earthy cellar nose paves the way for bright rhubarb and cherry with a hint of green apple. Tobacco, clove and bay provide the low notes while faint hibiscus rides on top. Medium bodied and well integrated with a velvety suede-like texture. A little young and tightly wound. Adorable as it is, give this pugnacious child a timeout and you’ll be rewarded with an enjoyable youngster. No need for boarding school, quite; simply an hour in the decanter or six months in the bottle will settle this one — still loquacious and slightly acidic, yet well behaved. An excellent wine. (Reviewed 8/24/11)