Beyond the Bottle : July 2009 Archives

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July 26, 2009

When a wine fails the "duck test"

While visiting the zoo today, we stopped by one of our favorite exhibits, the Chilean flamingoes. As you can see in the photo above, what makes this exhibit unique is the inclusion of a Coscoroba swan, a South American bird that is usually found standing on one leg in the middle of the flamingo pack, sometimes with its beak tucked under his wing. Try as it might to emulate its pink friends, it remains a swan, and a very loud one as evidenced by its frequent honks. The sight of this swan reminded me how often a wine fails...

Posted by Thad W. at 09:05 PM | Permalink

July 25, 2009

Round 3: Oregon 2007 Pinot Noir Tastings

If you've been a regular visitor to this blog these last seven months, then you've witnessed firsthand how smitten I am with 2007 Oregon pinot noirs. It all started in January with my "Round 1" tastings of a dozen and half newly released 2007 pinots and continued in March with another two dozen wines in "Round 2". After stocking up in Portland last weekend, it is now time for "Round 3", a line up that includes fifteen new Oregon 2007 pinot noirs: Antica Terra 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) - $45 Beacon Hill 2007 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains...

Posted by Thad W. at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 21, 2009

A weekend in Portland

What an amazing food and wine weekend it was in Portland with my wife, Kari. We dined al fresco at Meriwether's on Friday night, which included a bottle of Soter 2005 Mineral Springs Pinot Noir. For Saturday's dinner, we enjoyed a delicious meal at Clarklewis with a bottle of Love & Squalor 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley. Two distinctly different wines, not only from their vintages, but mostly from their winemaking styles. And the restaurants were consistent in providing attentive service and delicious food, yet unique in their setting and style. More to come on both food and wine in...

Posted by Thad W. at 09:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 19, 2009

Witness Tree Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

A garnet, translucent red in the glass, the Witness Tree Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.6%) offered scents of cherry with notes of dusty menthol following. The cherry fruit flavors predominated on the palate, with balanced acidity and a long finish. There was a bit of wood on this wine, with spice and toast being present. We paired this Oregon pinot noir with grilled Jamaican jerk chicken thighs, roasted zucchini (sliced thin with a mandolin and seasoned in a tarragon, mint vinaigrette dressing), and orzo with sauteed yellow onions and fresh herbs. We enjoyed how the Witness Tree...

Posted by Thad W. at 03:20 PM | Permalink

Trust Cellars 2008 Rosé of Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley

In the glass, the Trust 2008 Rosé of Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley (13.4%) is a light salmon red color, delivering black fruit notes to the nose with a hint of earthiness as well. Blackberry and currant flavors were balanced with good acidity and a very slight sweetness on the finish. We paired the Trust rosé with grilled teriyaki pork chops, asparagus and steamed rice. At $16, the Trust Cellars rose offers a good price-to-quality ratio. I was pleased this Washington rosé was light, crisp, and bright, the kind of rosé we enjoy drinking in the summertime. Related Links Trust Cellars...

Posted by Thad W. at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

July 12, 2009

Couldn't agree more about '07 Oregon pinot noir

In this month's guest column for Oregon Wine Press, Ken Collura provides a commentary on Oregon's 2007 Pinot Noirs. Collura argues in "Setting the Record Straight" that those criticizing this vintage are most likely seeking a different style of wine, more Syrah-like than a true Pinot. He goes on to describe the 2007 Oregon Pinot Noirs in terms of what they are not (e.g., huge, fat, overripe, etc.) versus what they are (e.g., bright, finesse-driven, food-friendly, etc.). I could not agree more with Collura's assessment of the 2007 Oregon Pinot Noirs. Although I have yet to try as many...

Posted by Thad W. at 08:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

July 10, 2009

Walnut City Wineworks 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Walnut City Wineworks 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.8%) is a clear, ruby red in the glass, with pronounced cherry fruit notes on the nose combined with dusty menthol. This Oregon pinot noir is like liquid sweet cherry pie, with not enough acid to cut through all of the ripe sugar. We paired the Walnut City pinot noir ($19) with filet mignon (seasoned with salt/pepper), grilled red peppers, and seasoned rice. This wine was too fruity, too cherry, too sweet for our taste. As such, I would pass on buying another bottle. Related Links Walnut City Wineworks Site...

Posted by Thad W. at 07:24 PM | Permalink

July 09, 2009

International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) 2009

In two weeks, hundreds of pinot noir fans will gather in McMinnville, Oregon for the 23rd annual International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC). Billed as "Planet Earth's Premier Pinot Noir Event", it is a monumental event, a weekend like no other focused on a single variety. If you're looking for a transformative wine event, then this is the one to attend during the weekend of July 24 - 26. Tickets are still available, but hurry they usually sell out every year. For those unable to attend, you will likely be able to follow the coverage at Vinography.com and Enobytes.com, whose...

Posted by Thad W. at 07:05 PM | Permalink

July 01, 2009

Syncline 2007 Subduction White

The Syncline 2007 Subduction White (14.1%) is a blend of 69% viognier and 31% chardonnay. In the glass, this wine was a beautiful golden yellow color, delivering some fruit to the nose, although it was mostly notes of over ripe melon and pineapple. The Subduction White had an overly viscous, cloying mouthfeel, almost to the point of being syrupy. The over ripe tropical fruit notes predominated along with a creaminess that was off putting. It finished with a funk that comes when viognier is not at its best. We paired the Syncline with roasted chicken thighs and onions on...

Posted by Thad W. at 10:38 PM | Permalink

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July 26, 2009

When a wine fails the "duck test"

July 25, 2009

Round 3: Oregon 2007 Pinot Noir Tastings

July 21, 2009

A weekend in Portland

July 19, 2009

Witness Tree Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Trust Cellars 2008 Rosé of Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley

July 12, 2009

Couldn't agree more about '07 Oregon pinot noir

July 10, 2009

Walnut City Wineworks 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

July 09, 2009

International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) 2009

July 01, 2009

Syncline 2007 Subduction White

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