Cascade West Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2017

I was in my local LIDL this week, so I detoured over to the wine department. I had not been in the store for a while and I was surprised to find this new Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The wine is part of the LIDL North American Sommelier Collection, so it may not be available in the European LIDL stores. The Willamette Valley lies east of the Coastal Mountain Range and west of the Cascade Mountains as described in the name of this wine.

Cascade West Pinot Noir is produced by Union Wine Company, Tualatin Oregon. Union Wine Company is the maker of Underwood Wines and Kings Ridge Wines. Last summer, Union Wine made a series of "LoveJoy" wines sold only at Lidl. Underwood Oregon Pinot Noir sells at Total Wine for $14.99 and Kings Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir sells for $20.99 (Total Wine is a little overpriced on these wines).

The wine is a dark cherry red color in the glass. The wine begins with bright flavors of raspberry and cherry but finishes with darker black cherry and dark berry flavors. The finish on this wine is terrific. I really enjoyed this wine and I hope it remains available at Lidl into the future. Lidl is selling this for $13.99 which is a very good price for a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir of this quality, especially in comparison to the Total Wines prices for Underwood and Kings Ridge.

SC Wine Joe rating = 90 points

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