2016 REX HILL Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes: 

The 2016 REX HILL Willamette Valley Pinot Noir opens with heady, ripe fruit notes of black cherry, raspberry, black plum, red currant and blackberry. Floral aromas arise of lavender and violet along with tomato leaf, rhubarb and peppercorn with a hint of French Oak. The palate has impressive structure, balance, and acidity, with integrated oak notes and red and black fruit flavors. While drinking well now, this is a Pinot Noir built for aging and will grow more complex over the next 15 to 20 years.

Pairs With:

Olive oil poached salmond, mushroom risotto, mild cheeses, grilled ahi, pumpkin ravioli, pork tenderloin, proscuitto, pizza with sausage and mushrooms

Recipe from Chef Amy:

Mushroom risotto

• 7 cups mushroom or chicken stock
• 2 Tbs olive oil
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 1.5 cups Arborio rice
• 1 lb wild mushrooms (about .5 lb shitake, remaining .5 pounds any mix of maitake, chanterelle, morel, or any seasonal wild mushrooms), cleaned and torn into bite-size pieces
• .5 cups dry white wine (chardonnay works well)
• 3 Tbs butter
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 sprig thyme or savory

Bring stock to a simmer and keep warm.

Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and add shallots, stirring to cook until translucent. Add mushrooms, along with a pinch of salt and pepper, and saute for about 5 minutes.

Add rice and thyme and stir frequently until it starts to smell slightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add wine and stir until wine is cooked away. Add about 2 cups of the hot stock (enough to cover the rice) and stir until the liquid is almost completely absorbed. Continue adding the stock in about a half cup at a time, cooking until the stock is absorbed each time, until the rice becomes tender but not falling apart. You should have about a half cup of warm stock left. Remove the sprig of thyme or savory.

Stir in butter and half of the parmesan, and add salt and pepper to taste. If the risotto is very thick, add in the remaining warm stock. Serve topped with the remaining parmesan.