The 2018 Rex Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir displays a deep red hue in the glass. A bold, fruit-forward wine, it expresses aromas of fruit, flowers and earth. Black cherry and plum, lavender, rose, sweet tobacco, and mushroom notes are followed by secondary aromas of red cassis, raspberry preserves, a touch of fresh cut hay and slight hint of lovely herbs. Rich and dense on both nose and palate, there are glimpses of tapenade, tomato paste, baked raspberries, bacon, brown sugar, marshmallow, thyme, and bay leaf. True to vintage, the wine shows aq cergtain fleshiness and complexity with layers of dried flower, fresh strawberry, mushroom and roasted meat notes. Firm tannins dominate the finish and carry with them a lingering plum note. Balanced and rich, the 2018 Rex Hill Willamette Valley Pinot noir is a serious yet approachable wine from a fine Oregon vintage.