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February 07, 2010

Connections: Oregon Vines and Family Roots

For anyone who has been following my posts these last couple of years, it should be readily apparent that I am biased toward Oregon wine. That said, this bias may not exist for reasons solely associated with my subjective taste preferences. In the last year, I have come to realize my personal journey with wine, especially that comprised of Oregon fruit, may be just as much about my past as it is about my palate. While I am a Texan by birth and an Okie by childhood, both branches of my family tree have firm roots in the state...

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February 06, 2010

Vin de Lac 2008 Vie! Viognier Lake Chelan

A clear straw color in the glass, the Vin de Lac 2008 Viognier Lake Chelan (14.3%) offered citrus fruit and wet stone notes to the nose. Crisp acidity with a pleasing minerality in the beginning but then followed by a bit of heat to the back of the throat on the finish. While it showed promise, the higher alcohol relative to other Lake Chelan 2008 viogniers I have tried recently would prompt me to pass on another bottle of the Vin de Luc Vie! ($18). Related Links Wine Press Northwest Review Vin de Lac Site...

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Pacific Rim 2008 Sweet Riesling Columbia Valley

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Pacific Rim 2008 Sweet Riesling Columbia Valley (8.5%) was a clear, yellow-green gold color with pronounced petrol on the nose followed by tropical fruit, especially pineapple. This Washington riesling was pleasantly sweet with enough acidity to provide a terrific balance. Flavors of pineapple, peach, and minerals were evident in this medium full wine. I really enjoyed the Pacific Rim sweet riesling and at $10 this is a wine to have often with spicy Asian fare or on its own. Related Links Pacific Rim...

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Brick House 2008 Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge

Last year, I really enjoyed Doug Tunnell's 2007 Gamay Noir, and ended up buying half a case of this Biodynamic certified wine. Therefore, it was with much anticipation that I tried the Brick House 2008 Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge (13.5%), a natural wine that while different in some ways from the '07, it is one I will definitely stock up on. The '08 Brick House Gamay Noir ($24) was a clear, garnet red in the glass, offering perfumed notes of strawberry and cherry fruit, dusty spice, and earth. In the mouth, this Oregon gamay delivered a nice silky texture, with...

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Patricia Green 2008 Pinot Noir Balcombe Vineyard

In the glass, the Patricia Green 2008 Pinot Noir Balcombe Vineyard Dundee Hills (13%) was a deep garnet red, delivering strong notes of earth following by black fruit. In the mouth, this was a well balanced Oregon pinot, a bit funky on the first night and then a tad sweet and concentrated on the second. We paired the Patricia Green Balcombe ($32) with grilled trout that was served with a mango/avocado salsa and farro. The next dinner we matched it was grilled lamb loin chops, roasted broccolini, and white beans. This pinot offered a nice compliment to both meals, which...

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January 31, 2010

Disclosing Wine Ingredients: Arguments For (Part 2)

A little over a week ago, I published a commentary that focused on the more commonly raised arguments against disclosing wine ingredients. In this second post of a two part series, I wanted to highlight the reasons why wineries should voluntarily disclose any and all additives used in the production of their wine. First and foremost, all consumers deserve to know what's included in the wines they drink. We have just as much a right to know what's in our wine, as we are entitled to know what's in any food item or non-alcoholic beverage. It's time for wine...

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January 27, 2010

Scott Paul 2007 La Paulée Pinot Noir

In the glass, the Scott Paul 2007 La Paulée Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.1%) was a beautiful ruby red color, with notes of strawberry fruit, a subtle earthiness, and hints of spice. The red berry fruit flavors continued on the palate with strawberry and raspberry being most predominant, combined with well balanced acidity and a delicious finish. This is a terrific expression of Oregon pinot noir, sourced from four leading vineyards in four different sub-appellations in the Willamette Valley. Like all Scott Paul pinots, it's naturally fermented, with no cultured yeasts or additives used in the winemaking process. For anyone...

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January 25, 2010

Benson Vineyards Estate 2008 Pinot Gris Lake Chelan

The Benson Vineyards Estate 2008 Pinot Gris Lake Chelan (13.1%) was a clear, straw color in the glass, delivering notes of ripe melon, wet stone, and a bit of citris. In the mouth, this pinot gris offered muted fruit flavors, nice acidity, but a flat finish. We paired the Benson Estate pinot gris ($18) with various meals, including chicken teriyaki and braised beef short ribs, but it just didn't meet the bar for us. I'd pass on buying another bottle of this wine - pinot gris is a tough sell relative to more flavorful varieties. Related Links A Visit to...

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Benson Vineyards Estate 2008 Viognier Lake Chelan

In the glass, the Benson Vineyards Estate 2008 Viognier Lake Chelan (14.0%) was a light yellow-green straw color with hints of lemon, minerals, and tropical fruit. This Washington viognier offered a clean, crisp mouthfeel, although the alcohol created a bit of a burn on the finish. I really liked the minerality, bright acidity, and stonefruit flavors in this Lake Chelan wine. At $19, this wine offers a good quality-to-price ratio. In fact, after enjoying this and another Lake Chelan vigonier, I am starting to prefer the fruit from this region of our state, specifically for its acidity and minerality. Related...

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Benson Vineyards Estate 2008 Chardonnay Lake Chelan

This Washington chardonnay offered a pleasant surprise, primarily due to it tasting like a crisp Chablis. The Benson Vineyards Estate 2008 Chardonnay Lake Chelan (14.5%) was a clear golden yellow in the glass, providing scents of pear and wet stone to the nose. This steel fermented wine was sharp on the palate, but in a good way, for there are far too many Washington chardonnays that are cloying, viscous, and vanilla for my taste. I really liked the minerality and acidity in this wine, although the alcohol showed a bit of heat on the back of the throat. It also...

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Pacific Rim 2008 Gewürztraminer

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Pacific Rim 2008 Gewürztraminer (12%) was a pretty golden yellow, delivering vibrant tropical fruit notes, with ripe melon being most predominant. Flavors of mango and pineapple combined with a terrific balance between sweet (1.7% RS) and acid (TA .76). We enjoyed this Pacific Northwest wine (83% Washington fruit and 17% Oregon) on its own and with spicy Asian food. It's a terrific rendition of gewürztraminer, without the cloying, viscosity and pina colada flavors of many of its peers. What a delicious wine for...

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January 21, 2010

Disclosing Wine Ingredients: Arguments Against (Part 1)

Recently, I have engaged in a debate on the merits of disclosing wine ingredients and have come away surprised at the arguments that have been made against my stance. While the counterpoints are numerous, I have yet to hear an argument against disclosure that holds any water, one that might make me take pause and rethink my stance on this important topic. In the first of a two part series, I thought it would be useful to summarize the arguments I have heard thus far and why each of these suffers in terms of its power of persuasion. In...

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January 18, 2010

Nefarious Cellars 2008 Viognier Lake Chelan

In the glass, the Nefarious Cellars 2008 Viognier Defiance Vineyard (13.6%) was a clear light golden yellow color, delivering hints of pineapple and melon with a bit of wet stone and minerality. In the mouth, this estate viognier was a bit fizzy, which didn't distract from enjoying the delicious fruit flavors and crisp acidity. I especially liked the minerality and texture in this Lake Chelan wine. We paired the Nefarious with a winter squash ravioli topped with a mushroom sauce and a butter leaf lettuce salad with chunks of Breton ham and mozzarella dressed in olive oil and white wine...

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January 15, 2010

Adelsheim 2008 Auxerrois Ribbon Springs Vineyard

I can't believe it's taken me almost two years to open another bottle of this terrific white wine from Oregon, comprised of fruit you just don't see very often amongst New World wines. The Adelsheim 2008 Auxerrois Ribbon Springs Vineyard Ribbon Ridge AVA (13.2%) was a clear, light yellowish green color in the glass, offering muted mineral, wet stone notes and very subtle scents of fruit (the label suggested Asian pear, which is spot on). Even after letting the auxerrois warm up a bit, the scents remained understated. In the mouth, the Adelsheim auxerrois delivered well balanced acidity and what...

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The Eyrie Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

After enjoying their delicious 2006 estate pinot noir, I was even more excited to open their 2007, a vintage that I find much more to my liking. In the glass, The Eyrie Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills (13.5%) was a clear, garnet red delivering an incredible combination of strawberry and raspberry fruit along with notes of earth and forest floor. This estate grown pinot noir was well structured and balanced, with delicious cherry fruit, great acidity, silky texture, and a long captivating finish. We paired The Eyrie Vineyards pinot noir with a roasted pork tenderloin, cooked medium rare, and...

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January 13, 2010

Pacific Rim 2007 Riesling Solstice Vineyard

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. Yet another terrific Washington riesling from Pacific Rim, the 2007 Solstice Vineyard (13.5%) from Yakima Valley. In the glass, this wine was a golden straw color with scents of petrol, wet stone, minerals, combined with hints of honeysuckle and citrus. The Pacific Rim 2007 Riesling Solstice Vineyard Yakima Valley offered a clean, crisp mouthfeel with a wonderful balance between the acidity and residual sugar (1.7%). I was pleasantly surprised that this wine did not taste sweeter due to its level of sugar. We paired this Pacific Rim...

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January 11, 2010

Wine blogger/tweeter, who do you represent?

Having worked in online media and services these last 15 years, I have come to know the good, the bad, and the ugly in this space, especially with that involving the latest marketing tactic: social media. In the years ahead, consumers are going to have to be much more discerning in terms of who they trust to influence their perspective on wine, let alone their purchase decisions. An increasing number of folks are launching blogs, creating link bait, spamming blog comments, and tweeting up a storm while never revealing their affiliation with the wine trade. Their sole intent is to...

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January 08, 2010

Reflections and Resolutions

Before getting too far into January, it's time to pause, reflect back on the year that was, and look forward to the year that will be. There was a lot I learned in 2009 about wine, both in terms of experiencing it as a consumer and covering it as a blogger. And with 2010 ahead, there are new learnings to seek, which will most likely lead me, and this blog, down paths not traveled before. What I Learned in 2009 Writing is hard; writing about wine is even harder - after blogging for almost 3 years now, I have...

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January 06, 2010

Chelan Estate 2004 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard

In the glass, the Chelan Estate 2004 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard (12.0%) was a clear, ruby brick red color delivering dusty sour notes to the nose leading to a spicy, funky, woody scent. This Lake Chelan AVA pinot offered good acidity, but was immediately followed by a toasty, sour spice that was off-putting. I had to pass on this wine after a few sips. Purchased at retail for $25. Related Links Wine Peeps Review Chelan Estate Winery Web Page...

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January 05, 2010

Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesling Columbia Valley

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Pacific Rim 2008 Organic Riesling Columbia Valley (10.5%) was a clear, golden straw color offering a signature hint of petrol followed by floral honeysuckle and citrus fruit notes. This off-dry Washington riesling delivered the right amount of acidity to balance the 3.8% residual sugar, with a full, if not slightly viscous, mouth feel. We paired this delicious riesling with a variety of meals over the course of several days. It showed best with a spicy chicken stir fry and yakisoba noodle dish. I...

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January 04, 2010

March 11: The Willamette Valley Visits Seattle

On Thursday, March 11, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm more than 50 wineries from the Willamette Valley will be gathering at Herban Feast south of Safeco Field for a first of its kind tasting event in Seattle. Here's a quick blurb from the Willamette Valley Wineries Association site: Enjoy this unique opportunity to taste the wines of 50 Oregon wineries, both large and small, at Willamette Valley Wineries first tasting in Seattle. Meet the faces behind the wine in a casual and personal setting. Winery owners and winemakers will showcase their current releases including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris,...

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Pacific Rim 2007 Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. Yet another Pacific Rim wine from Washington that is one of my new favorites. This time, the 2007 Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley (13.1%) delivered a pleasant surprise to our meal. In the glass, this Washington chenin blanc was a light golden straw color delivering notes of pear, honeysuckle, and wet stone. In the mouth, I really liked the clean, crisp texture of this wine. And there was a terrific minerality, with well balanced acidity against the 1.2% residual sugar. I was pleasantly surprised how crisp this...

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January 03, 2010

Pacific Rim 2007 Biodynamic Riesling Wallula Vineyard

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. This is a biodynamic Washington riesling that not only tastes good, but makes me feel good drinking it as a result of the approach taken in growing the grapes and making the wine. The Pacific Rim 2007 Biodynamic Riesling Wallula Vineyard Columbia Valley (13%) was a light golden yellow in the glass with hints of petrol leading to floral notes of honeysuckle and lemon blossom all wrapped in a delightful mineral, wet stone component. On the palate, this biodynamic riesling offered crisp acidity (.65% TA) against...

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January 02, 2010

Pacific Rim 2007 Dry Riesling Columbia Valley

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. The Pacific Rim 2007 Dry Riesling Columbia Valley (12.5%) is a terrific Washington riesling (which benefits from 20% fruit from the Mosel region). And at $10, this a wine to enjoy regularly with a variety of foods, be they spicy, rich or otherwise. In the glass, this Pacific Rim dry riesling was a clear, yellow gold color, offering hints of petrol giving way to stone fruit and citrus floral notes. This wine had a light, crisp mouthfeel with terrific acidity balancing the slight .8% residual sugar....

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Wapato Point Cellars 2008 Pinot Grigio

In the glass, the Wapato Point Cellars 2008 Pinot Grigio Lake Chelan AVA (13.8%) was a clear, yellow golden color, delivering notes of tropical fruit, with hints of coconut, pineapple and melon being most predominant. In the mouth, this Lake Chelan pinot gris was a bit viscous, with good acidity. Unfortunately, the coconut notes were replayed in full form, making this wine taste like a pina colada. It was just too tropical fruity for my taste (maybe from the yeast used?). We paired this wine with pasta and tomato sauce as well as a red leaf lettuce salad dressed...

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January 01, 2010

Connections: Washington Wine Report

When it comes to blogging about the people and places producing wine in Washington state, there is one site that stands out for its focused, in-depth coverage: Sean Sullivan's Washington Wine Report. With his independent blog, Sean's mission is "bringing Washington wine to you and bringing you to Washington wine". Having followed the Washington Wine Report since its launch in June 2007, Sean has clearly fulfilled this mission, at least with this reader. In fact, Sean's success in connecting me to Washington wine is best articulated in a couple of recent posts on his blog. The first piece, Best...

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December 28, 2009

Review: Been Doon So Long by Randall Grahm

Every now and then, a certain wine comes along that is transformative; a bottle that connects me to something deeper, helping to fill a void or bridge a gap in my thinking. Reading about wine can have a similar affect. There is an occasional book that guides me down new paths of discovery, trails that not only challenge my perspective of wine, but transform how I think about wine going forward. With Been Doon So Long, Randall Grahm has created such a book, one full of transformative facts, thoughts, and ideas that have enlightened my understanding of what it...

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December 22, 2009

Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Noir Ana Vineyard Dundee Hills

In early November, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Todd Hamina tasting thru a variety of his 2007 and 2008 releases. As a result of my visit, I brought home a mixed case of his vineyard designate '07s along with a few '08s that I promised not to open for a few months. While the 2008s lie still in my cellar, I am starting to open some of the 2007s at my dinner table. The Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Noir Ana Vineyard Dundee Hills (12.5%) made quite a statement the other night during dinner. In fact, I...

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St. Innocent 2007 Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard

The St. Innocent 2007 Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills AVA (13.5%) is one of my new favorites from this vintage. In the glass, this Oregon pinot noir was a clear, ruby red color delivering a wonderful combination of red berry fruit, earth and spice. On the palate, there was terrific acidity in this wine with a nice mouthfeel. A very slight sourness in the finish will hopefully disappear with time. Overall, this Eola-Amity Hills wine was a delicious pairing to our dinner of pasta with tomato sauce and a butter leaf lettuce salad with chopped Breton ham...

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December 17, 2009

Review: Thistle Restaurant

While visiting the Willamette Valley last month, I had the opportunity to dine at Thistle in McMinnville. What a terrific experience it was sitting at the open kitchen bar, meeting chef/owner Eric Bechard and enjoying a wonderful dinner with local wine. I started with a glass of Evesham Wood '08 Chardonnay and paired it with a starter from the chalkboard menu on the wall, the duck liver parfait served with fresh bread and pickled grapes ($9). What a terrific combination with the rich, rustic duck pate and crisp acidity of the Evesham Wood chard. Eric ended up steering me...

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December 14, 2009

A Visit to Lake Chelan AVA

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit several wineries in the new Lake Chelan AVA (see links below for more info on this area). While the extremely cold weather might have forced one to stay inside and enjoy a few mugs of gluvine, I managed to venture out to sample local wines along the north shore of the lake. On Friday, I visited Vin de Lac and Hard Row to How and then made trips on Saturday to Wapato Point Cellars, Benson Vineyards, and Lake Chelan Winery (reviews for each visit will be posted soon). At each...

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December 09, 2009

Patricia Green 2008 Estate Old Vines Pinot Noir

Before opening the Patricia Green 2008 Estate Old Vines Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge (13.6%), I enjoyed reading the bottle's label describing where the grapes were sourced (26 acres of mixed clones planted in 1984) and the vineyard manager who oversees their cultivation. In the glass, this Patricia Green pinot noir was a slightly cloudy garnet red, delivery an earthiness that gave way to red fruit and then to perfumed floral notes. The fruit and floral perfume was then replaced with another level of earth that made this wine very intriguing. Overall, I liked the texture of this wine and...

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December 03, 2009

The Eyrie Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

The Eyrie Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills (13.5%) demonstrates astute viticulture and fine craftsmanship relative to its ripe vintage peers. What a terrific wine this was to enjoy over several nights. In the glass, this Eyrie pinot noir was a slight cloudy, ruby red delivering notes of perfumed and floral strawberry fruit, earth, and then cherry. The combination of red fruit and this forest floor component was incredibly enticing. In the mouth, this wine offered a silky texture, with a clear concentration of fruit, but not overwhelming like other Oregon pinot noirs from this same vintage. There were...

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November 28, 2009

Connections: Scott Paul Wines

It's only fitting that Scott Paul Wines serve as the inaugural post for my new "Connections" series. This Carlton-based producer truly epitomizes what it means to connect consumers to the larger context offered in wine, especially that which exists between the old and new worlds of winemaking. How does Scott Paul accomplish these connections? First and foremost, Scott Paul has distinguished itself for pouring and selling an ever expanding portfolio of Burgundy wines alongside their Oregon pinot noirs: Cuvée Martha Pirrie, La Paulée and Audrey. Not only does this approach offer a constructive frame of reference to each tasting...

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November 27, 2009

Profile: The Allison Inn & Spa

If you're planning a visit to the Willamette Valley, then The Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg deserves to be at the top of your list of places to stay. Granted, there are less expensive options available in the valley, but for those seeking a more inclusive resort experience, The Allison is it. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to spend two nights at The Allison (full disclosure: a special rate was provided), which opened in September to considerable fanfare. Why the fuss? Until now, nothing like this hotel and conference center existed in the Willamette Valley....

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November 25, 2009

This Thanksgiving, drink what you like, but ask...

It has become clearly gratuitous when wine writers, be they professional, blogger, or otherwise, suggest to you, the consumer, what you should be drinking this Thanksgiving. It's all rubbish, quite frankly, to recommend certain wines, when the fact is that this annual celebration remains one of the only meals when just about any wine suffices, especially knowing the subjective nature of the American palate. For those on the writing side of this equation, I encourage critics, columnists, and bloggers to read, study, and internalize Alder Yarrow's timeless post, "Stop The Thanksgiving Wine Recommendations". As to consumers, I encourage you to...

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November 22, 2009

Maysara 2007 Pinot Noir "Jamsheed" McMinnville

The Maysara 2007 Pinot Noir "Jamsheed" McMinnville AVA (13.7%) is a clear, garnet red in the glass, delivering dusty bright notes of strawberry fruit giving way to herbs, earth, and curry spice. This Demeter Certified Biodynamic® wine offers a clean, silky mouth feel, with vibrant cherry fruit, bright acidity and an earthy finish. We paired the Maysara "Jamsheed" with a Pagliacci mushroom primo seasonal pizza featuring "wild Chanterelles, woodsy Shiitakes, rich Portobellos and mild Buttons. The mushroom blend accompanies mozzarella and provolone cheeses, onions, freshly roasted red peppers, capers and fresh parsley on olive oil seasoned with thyme and...

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November 21, 2009

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay Dijon Clone

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Willamette Valley Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay Dijon Clone (14.5%) was a beautiful clear, golden yellow. Aromas of wood, cream, and ripe tropical fruit were a bit overwhelming. Flavors of old, over-ripe pineapple and melon were predominant. This Oregon chardonnay was over-extracted, over-oaked, and over-alcohol. It was far too cloying and viscous for my taste. The only thing pleasing about this wine was its color - the smell and taste made this undrinkable. Unfortunately, it is yet another far too common example of how such...

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November 19, 2009

WillaKenzie 2007 Chardonnay Clos Marco Willamette Valley

In the glass, the WillaKenzie 2007 Chardonnay Clos Marco Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a very light, greenish gold color, offering notes of pear, melon and yeast on the nose along with minerals and wet stone. This Oregon chardonnay had a very nice texture in the mouth, delivering a mix of crisp acidity and a bit of honey ending in a nice, lasting finish. Flavors of pear and peach were present as well. We paired the WillaKenzie with smoked salmon pasta that was tossed in a sauce of sauteed shallots, olive oil, this wine, and fresh dill. A green leaf...

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November 17, 2009

It's all inconsistent subjectiveness, folks...

Over the weekend, I had an interesting exchange with a reader who stated that I was "completely wrong" in my evaluation of a particular wine. Even after pointing out the fact that my assessment was purely subjective, this person was bent on trying to prove me wrong, essentially inferring he was right. Let me be clear: there is no right or wrong when it comes to evaluating wine, for smell/taste remains in the nose/mouth of the drinker. Furthermore, a drinker's impressions of wine are rarely consistent when returning to the same bottle. Not convinced? Then I encourage you to read...

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