I've had the good fortune of enjoying a variety of Belle Pente pinot noirs recently, one of my favorite producers who also happens to make a very delicious riesling. The Belle Pente 2005 Riesling Willamette Valley (13.1%) is a beautiful golden yellow color in the glass, with signature petrol, wet slate, and citrus fruit on the nose.

This Oregon riesling offered wonderful citrus fruit and mineral flavors, balanced with crisp acidty and just enough residual sugar. I really liked the texture of this wine. Overall, it went very well with our spicy Kung Pao Beef dinner, a dish crafted from a Tyler Florence recipe. At $20, the Belle Pente 2005 Riesling WV is well worth the price, for it offers the style of dry riesling I like, especially when paired with spice food.

I want more of this wine and also some of the 2006, which I understand is the last batch from the 1968 planting of Chehalem Mountain Vineyard. With the folks at Belle Pente describing the '06 vintage this way:

The good news is that it's going out in style, contributing to what may be our finest Riesling to date.

Time to put an order in soon...

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