What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD)

Third time is a charm, as they say, for it took bottle number three for me to finally blog about the Adelsheim 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley. The first two bottles I enjoyed while dining out, with the most recent bottle with dinner at home which I bought at retail for $30. On each occasion, this wine paired well with the various meals we had and was enjoyed by all who drank it.

On the eyes, the Adelsheim pinot (13.8%) was a light, raspberry color. On the nose, there were hints of earth along with red berry fruits such as strawberry and raspberry. On the palate, it was light bodied, showing modest fruit (raspberry and strawberry), a bit of earth and minerality, along with a lingering finish. Overall, it was an elegant pinot that is delicious now or will be even more fun to taste in another year or two (time to stock up).

Here is how the wine is described on the bottle's back label:

Imagine fresh Oregon cherries, raspberries and blackberries-- flavors with great intensity, which we achieve in the northern Willamette Valley by keeping our crop levels very low. Add to those flavors a backbone of acidity -- always discreet, but there maintaining freshness. Finally, a silky smooth texture, rich almost to the point of sweetness. This is serious Pinot noir, which will get even better with time. But, you don't have to wait. It would also be delicious tonight.

Well put. And the Adelsheim website goes even further detailing the story of David and Ginny Adelsheim, who planted their first vineyard in 1972 and then made their first wine in 1978. In addition, the site offers great descriptions of each wine along with detailed tasting notes of each vintage. Last but not least, there is a terrific virtual tour. of the winery guiding visitors through each area of the production facility.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the woman on the front label of the Adelsheim 2006 Pinot Noir is a painting of Diana Lett by Ginny Adelsheim. The tasting notes reveal that Adelsheim "retained her image to thank her for her role in the history of Oregon wine – she and her husband David Lett founded Oregon’s first Pinot noir winery (The Eyrie Vineyards) – and her friendship." What a great way to celebrate the friends made through making wine.

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