Hiyu Tzum 'Moon Dog' Columbia Gorge Red Wine, 2022, 750ml

This is the fourth release of Moon Dog; the amphitheater of Pinot Fin located directly behind the winery. We skipped over the 2020 and 2021, that are still aging in barrel, in favor of this wine’s classical profile. This is closest to the 2016 in style; traditional and very much made in the mold of great Burgundy from the 30’s and 40’s. This spent three weeks on the skins whole-cluster and aged for over two years in barrel. The extended time in wood shepherds the wine to a place where the fruit’s color and density remain but where overtly fruity flavors are replaced by high pitched spice and truffle. This wine has more power and tannin than most wines currently being made in Burgundy, but doesn’t veer as far in the direction of Barolo as the wine did in 2015 and for the as yet unreleased 2020.