Meh, just another unknown, random Oregon Pinot? …questioned Agent Noir as he poured.

OH MY. That nose?! While this Pointelle had that right fist up to strike with gorgeous perfume, there came the left fist out of nowhere with a first punch on the palate. Agent Noir was knocked out.

When he came to his senses, he took a long, close look at the medieval sword smack in the middle of the label, who ARE these people he thought… and started digging.

First popped the raving review below, affirming the quality here. The $50 original price tag also made sense as it surely drank no less than that. But at $18? What would people think? He was genuinely worried that the small pile it was would not be enough to last a day.

Turns out the source was sworn to secrecy about what’s actually in this bottle. More like a declassified $100 Dundee Hills single vineyard producer’s “leftovers” blended it sounded like. Leftovers like this? As in pizza that actually gets better the following day? Yes please!

A little more espionage takes us to Archery Summit before we reach a dead end, which by the way shares ownership with Napa Valley legend Pine Ridge so no matter the backstory, we’re looking at serious pedigree here, for a song. No wonder it’s so good.

The looks are alluring, pale ruby with scarlet shadows lurking just inside a narrow crimson rim. Fresh and lively on the nose, with lots of cherry, sappy herbs, and classic forest floor aromas. Medium-bodied with the first sip, silky, sweetly fruited, and beautifully polished on the palate as it expands. Well-integrated powdery-fine tannins build up sneakily on the finish, lingering quite long, especially for its modest price. Given its balance and freshness, enjoy within a decade with salmon or game over the next 3-5 years.

Oh, it’s conveniently bottles as a screwcap, no corkscrew needed, just a quick twist and you’re there. In any event, so glad Wine Enthusiast discovered it before we did, at least we know what they know!

91 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“Principally made with Dundee Hills grapes, this sturdy wine offers a full-bodied mix of cherry fruit, barrel toast and mocha. There’s a sweet, chocolaty midpalate that seems sure to please most consumers, though it leans a bit toward a fruity and chocolaty California style. This should drink well through 2025.”