Value Unveiled: Rascal Oregon Pinot Noir

While looking for some wine to enjoy on a Saturday afternoon last week, I came across something I had never seen before: an Oregon Pinot Noir priced at just $5.29. Without hesitation, in the basket it went; actually, in the basket went two bottles.

Produced by the Great Oregon Wine Company in McMinnville, Oregon, the ’09 Rascal Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is definitely worth every cent of $5.29.

Light ruby-brick in color, cherries were the main aroma I detected. Although the mouthfeel was thin, I was able to capture the expected flavors that are found in many Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs – cherries, strawberries and earth with a little smoke and pepper on the finish.  The finish was gone in a second, but I honestly didn’t really care because this wine was equally as easy on the palate as it was on the wallet.

I immediately conjured up three images when drinking this Pinot: the Oregon Coast, camping and a bonfire. This summer, a bottle of Rascal Willamette Valley Pinot Noir will undoubtedly be propped in the sand next to my beach chair while watching the sunset and stoking the bonfire.