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March 13, 2010

Westrey 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley

Pinot gris is a hit and miss variety with me. Unfortunately, the Westrey 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (13%) was a miss, for it just wasn't my style due to it being a bit too thick and tropical for my taste. In the glass, the Westrey pinot gris was a bright, greenish gold color offering tropical notes of pineapple, papaya, and melon. It was slightly sweet on the palate at first, with nice fruit leading to bright acidity. Overall, it was too viscous and cloying. When it comes to pinot gris, I favor the crisper, mineral approach, with enough fruit...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:37 PM | | Comments (0)

Dunham Cellars 2007 Riesling Lewis Estate Vineyard

In the glass, the Dunham Cellars 2007 Riesling Columbia Valley (13.4%) was a clear, golden yellow color providing notes of petrol, wet stone, and a hint of honeysuckle. This Washington riesling lacked enough acidity to balance the residual sugar, which generated a candied, syrupy finish. We paired the Dunham Cellars riesling with chicken cacciatore on the first night and it was consumed alone on the second. It may best to drink this wine with a more spicy dish, such as Asian fare. I purchased this bottle while visiting the Dunham Cellars tasting room last year. Related Links Dunham Cellars Tasting...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:23 PM | | Comments (0)

Plowbuster 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Plowbuster is a second label from the folks at Carabella. In the glass, the 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (14.5%) was a clear, garnet red delivering pronounced cherry fruit notes along with hints of talc and toast. This Oregon pinot noir offered generous cherry fruit flavors balanced with decent acidity, although it was a bit sweet and cloying on the finish. We paired this wine with a chopped salad that included chicken and salami accompanied by a loaf of rustic bread. The candied nature of the Plowbuster pinot might appeal to some, but it's not my style. I purchased this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:12 PM | | Comments (0)

ADEA 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

This is one of half a dozen 2007 pinot noirs I purchased while visiting with Dean and Ann Fisher, owners of ADEA Wine Company, in Gaston last November. I had the pleasure of running into Dean and Ann again last week at the WVWA tasting event in Seattle. In the glass, the ADEA 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) is a clear garnet red offering notes of bright red cherry fruit combined with an enticing earthiness. Flavors of candied cherry were most predominant balanced by good acidity. This wine offered a full mouth feel, primarily due to a bit of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:27 PM | | Comments (0)

February 13, 2010

Evening Land Celebration 2008 Gamay Noir Eola-Amity Hills

The more Oregon Gamay noir I experience, the bigger fan I become for this wonderful variety. The Evening Land Celebration 2008 Gamay Noir Eola-Amity Hills (13.2%) has raised my level of appreciation further. In the glass, the Celebration '08 Gamay noir was a deep, purple and garnet color, offering nice floral notes of red fruit along with earth and spice, specifically hints of pepper and curry. This wine delivered terrific acidity, with a lot of tannins, which tended to dampen the fruit flavors a bit. We paired this organic/biodynamic wine (uncertified) with an Italian lasagna-like dish. It was a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:24 PM | | Comments (1)

Vin de Lac "Lehm" 2007 Dry Riesling Lake Chelan

In the glass, the Vin de Lac "Lehm" 2007 Dry Riesling Lake Chelan (13.7%) was a pale straw color offering muted scents of wet stone and minerals. This Lake Chelan riesling was incredibly dry, to the point of being sour on the finish. It had terrific acidity, but lacked enough fruit flavors to balance the minerality. We paired the Vin de Lac dry riesling with chicken yakisoba. At $20, I found this wine to be a bit pricey relative to its quality. To each his or her own, but the stone dry style of this riesling was not my...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:12 PM | | Comments (0)

Evening Land Celebration 2008 "Les Gamines" Eola-Amity Hills

Wow, this blend of 60% gamay noir and 40% pinot noir is a wonderfully intriguing wine for $26. And it is one of my favorites thus far amongst 2008 Oregon wines tasted. In the glass, the Evening Land Celebration 2008 "Les Gamines" Eola-Amity Hills (13.4%) was a clear, garnet red, delivering perfumed notes of red fruit with a dusty earthiness. There were layers of scents to this wine from the strawberry and cherry fruit to an intriguing, earthy minerality. The bright acidity and predominant tannins in the mouth suggest this uncertified organic/biodynamic wine will age well, yet it still...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:30 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 04:16 PM | | Comments (1)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 04:05 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:48 AM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:15 AM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:05 PM | | Comments (0)

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:39 PM | | Comments (0)

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....

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:28 PM | | Comments (1)

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:03 PM | | Comments (0)

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:48 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 07:16 PM | | Comments (0)

January 15, 2010

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,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:02 PM | | Comments (1)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 08:50 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:36 PM | | Comments (3)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:19 PM | | Comments (0)

January 04, 2010

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:01 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 07:02 PM | | Comments (2)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 12:48 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 12:33 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 08:43 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 08:19 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:51 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:57 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:08 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 04:47 PM | | Comments (0)

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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Posted by Thad W. at 09:28 PM | | Comments (0)

November 17, 2009

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Elton Vineyard

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Elton Vineyard was a clear, ruby red color delivering floral notes of red and black fruit along with cedar and wood. In the mouth, this Oregon pinot noir was well balanced, with good texture and bright acidity. Tannins were present as was a predominant flavor of oak, even though 20% new French oak was used. We paired the WWV Elton Vineyard with grilled beef tenderloin and sauteed cremini mushrooms served on a bed of egg noodles with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:45 PM | | Comments (0)

November 15, 2009

WillaKenzie 2008 Pinot Blanc Estate Grown Willamette Valley

The WillaKenzie 2008 Pinot Blanc Estate Willamette Valley (13.8%) was a clear, light green-yellow in the glass delivering floral fruit notes of peach, apricot and apple along with hints of talc and minerals. This Alsatian style pinot blanc offered a rich mouthfeel, with crisp acidity and a slightly sweet finish (.3% residual sugar). We paired this certified sustainable wine with some comfort food: black beans w/sauteed onions on steamed rice with grated cheddar cheese and fresh chopped tomatoes on top. At $18, the WillaKenzie 2008 Pinot Blanc offers a terrific quality-to-price ratio. I am glad to have picked up two...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:48 PM | | Comments (0)

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Riesling WV

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. The WVV 2007 Riesling Willamette Valley (10%) was a clear. light golden yellow in the glass with faint notes of petrol, wet stone, and minerals. In the mouth, this Oregon riesling offered nice floral honeysuckle flavors with crisp acidity leading to a slightly sweet finish (residual sugar = I found this Willamette Valley Vineyards riesling to be a terrific wine, one that we enjoyed on its own as well as a lead to a various meals over the three nights we tasted it. Depending on where you...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:32 PM | | Comments (0)

November 10, 2009

Brick House 2007 Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge

In the glass, the Brick House 2007 Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge (13.5%) was a clear, light golden yellow color with creamy notes of yeast and minerals. Even though the fruit flavors were a bit muted for my taste, this Oregon chardonnay offered nice acidity, good balance, and a delicious finish. While not captivating, it did complement our coq a vin. Overall, I was a bit conflicted with this wine, for I wasn't blown away neither was I turned off. Even at its $29 price point, I would be willing to give this Brick House chardonnay another try. Related Links Katherine...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:31 PM | | Comments (1)

November 09, 2009

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard WV

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard (13.5%) was a clear, golden yellow color offering fleeting hints of pear and pineapple fruit that led to clear notes of vanilla, cream, and nutmeg. In the mouth, this Oregon chardonnay reminded me of egg nog, with its flavors of nutmeg, clove, toast, vanilla and cream. Overall, it was a bit too reduced and creamy for my taste. There was decent acidity in the wine, but the egg nog aspect put me off. We paired this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:23 PM | | Comments (1)

November 05, 2009

Kung Fu Girl 2008 Riesling Washington State

At $12, the Kung Fu Girl 2008 Riesling Washington State (12.5%) offers a terrific quality-to-price ratio. In the glass, this Washington riesling was a clear, light straw color, delivering notes of pineapple, citrus, honeysuckle and then a bit of Bazooka bubble gum (no kidding). In the mouth, the Kung Fu Girl riesling has a fullness to it, but not viscous or cloying. The floral, honey characteristics are first evident, followed by well-balanced, crisp acidity, and then a lasting finish that seemed to bring all of these disparate pieces back together. We enjoyed this wine on its own before dinner...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:24 PM | | Comments (0)

Brick House 2007 Cuvee du Tonnelier Pinot Noir

Plain and simple, the Brick House 2007 Cuvée du Tonnelier Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge (13.4%) is a terrific wine. In the glass, this Oregon pinot noir was a light, cloudy ruby red offering spice, then strawberry and raspberry, followed by wet earth on the nose. In the mouth, the Brick House Cuvée du Tonnelier delivered terrific red berry fruit flavors, great acidity, and a long delicious finish. A myriad of flavors continued to be discovered as this wonderful wine evolved in the glass. We paired it with two hearty soups, a white bean chicken and a black bean chili. This...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:54 PM | | Comments (0)

November 01, 2009

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Dry Riesling WV

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Dry Riesling Willamette Valley (11%) was a clear, light gold color, offering notes of petrol, honeysuckle, strong minerality, especially wet stone. In the mouth, the WWV riesling delivered bright acidity creating a crisp, clean texture wrapped with delicious fruit flavors leading to a pleasingly long finish. We drank this wine first on its own and then alongside a salad, which was comprised of green leaf lettuce, thinly sliced Washington honeycrisp apples, red grapes, oil and vinegar. I really enjoyed...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:12 PM | | Comments (0)

Arcane Cellars 2008 Riesling Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Arcane Cellars 2008 Riesling Wheatland Estate WV (11.5%) was a clear, light yellow straw color, delivering signature petrol as well as floral and mineral aromas to the nose. I really liked the crisp acidity combined with the off-dry finish, all surrounded by delicious fruit and mineral flavors. We enjoyed this Oregon riesling with Tuscan white bean soup, which had a nice spicy kick to it. The Arcane Cellars '08 riesling was a delicious compliment to our meal. At $15, this is a wine worth buying several bottles to enjoy with any type of spicy food...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:52 PM | | Comments (0)

October 26, 2009

Domaine Drouhin 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Domaine Drouhin 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.9%) was a clear, garnet red with high toned cherry fruit and dusty hints of menthol on the nose. This Oregon pinot noir offered a full mouth feel with black cherry and blackberry flavors balanced with nice acidity and a bit of a sweet finish. After being opened for 24 hours, the menthol scent faded while the acidity seemed to brighten. On the first night, we paired this Domaine Drouhin with a Greek stew and a red cabbage and carrot slaw. The next evening we paired it with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:06 PM | | Comments (0)

October 18, 2009

Trust Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

I wish more Washington producers made wine in the style of the Trust Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley (13.8%). In the glass, this 80% cab and 20% merlot blend was a deep dark red providing black fruit perfume followed by spice, pepper and then earth. In the mouth, the Trust offered bright black cherry fruit flavors with good acidity and a nice long, captivating finish. We paired this delicious wine with a meal straight out of last month's Saveur magazine, grilled lamb chops with mint salsa verde. Our rack of lamb was seasoned with Kosher salt, pepper and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:54 PM | | Comments (1)

October 13, 2009

St. Innocent 2007 Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley

In the glass, the St. Innocent 2007 Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley (%) was a clear, light yellow color with hints of pear, minerals, and lemon on the nose. I really enjoyed this Oregon chardonnay, which offered terrific acidity and mineral characteristics along with an ever so slightly creamy texture in the finish. We enjoyed this wine over two consecutive dinners, one a homemade chicken pot pie and the other pasta aioli. At $23, the St. Innocent chardonnay offers a decent quality-to-price ratio, one that would prompt me to pick up another bottle or two. Related Links St....

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:10 PM | | Comments (0)

Evesham Wood 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Evesham Wood 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) is usually one of several early releases coming out of Oregon, with this bottle being my second taste of the '08 vintage. In the glass, the Evesham Wood was a clear, garnet red with big cherry fruit on the nose followed by earth and spice. This Oregon pinot noir offered nice red berry fruit flavors (mostly cherry) and a very smooth texture. It was bit flat for lack of acidity. We paired this wine with homemade thin crust pizza and an arugula salad. At $18, this is a very approachable...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:57 PM | | Comments (1)

October 11, 2009

Evening Land Celebration 2007 Gamay Noir Eola-Amity Hills

The Celebration 2007 Gamay Noir Eola-Amity Hills (12.8%) was a clear, light ruby red in the glass with muted red fruit on the nose (plum?) along with hints of licorice and fennel. In the mouth, this Oregon gamay noir offered decent fruit but threw a bit of a curve ball on the finish. It was hard to put my finger on it, but it took a funky, slightly herbaceous detour with every sip. We paired the Celebration gamay noir with grilled Korean sesame chicken thighs, baby bok choy, and steamed rice. The acidity in this wine matched well with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:59 PM | | Comments (0)

Foundry Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

The Foundry Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley (13.9%) was a deep garnet red in the glass, delivering these floral notes of black fruit (e.g., cherry and blackberry) followed by earthy, wood scents. In the mouth, this Walla Walla cabernet was a well balanced wine, offering good fruit, terrific acidity, and a long delicious finish. We paired this wine with Italian sausage, onions, and tomato ragu served on soft polenta. A hearty dish that matched well with this food-friendly cab. This wine retails for $30, but lucky for me, I received a bottle as a gift from my father-in-law,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:45 PM | | Comments (0)

Ken Wright Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Ken Wright Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley (12%) was a clear, light yellow color with ripe tropical fruit, minerals, and yeast notes being most predominant. In the mouth, this wine had a funky twang to it, which wasn't pleasing. I found the Ken Wright pinot blanc made in style that wasn't to my liking. There was little of the fresh, floral fruit one gets with pinot blanc. And this wine was far too viscous and cloying with a off-putting finish to boot. At $24, there are better and more inexpensive Oregon pinot blancs I...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:33 PM | | Comments (0)

October 03, 2009

Round 3 Recos: Oregon 2007 Pinot Noir

With these "Round 3" recommendations, another twenty-nine bottles of Oregon pinot noir from the 2007 vintage have been opened and evaluated at my dinner table. This brings the grand total of coverage to sixty-six '07 pinots that have been tried with a meal these last nine months. From the first eighteen bottles of Round 1, through another nineteen wines in Round 2, and then finally with those comprising Round 3, I have remained a big fan of the 2007 vintage. In covering these wines, no speed tastings were held nor were any product samples used. Each and every bottle...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:44 PM | | Comments (0)

Antica Terra 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

As part of my "Round 3" line up of Oregon pinots, the Antica Terra 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) was not only the final bottle to be opened, but also the most expensive at $45. As such, there was considerable anticipation in giving this wine a try, for I had heard favorable things about its quality. In the glass, the Antica Terra 2007 Pinot Noir was a clear, medium garnet red delivering bright strawberry and raspberry fruit notes combined with a dusty earthiness. In the mouth, this Willamette Valley pinot noir offered red fruit flavors and acidity that...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:10 PM | | Comments (0)

Love & Squalor 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Love & Squalor 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.2%) is a clear, medium garnet red color, offering red berry fruit notes with menthol and earth. The menthol, which was initially as strong as eucalyptus, eventually blew off. In the mouth, this Oregon pinot noir offered good fruit with balanced acidity, making it a nice, food friendly wine. I have drunk this wine on two separate occasions, with the most recent experience revealing the notes and flavors described above. The first experience I had was ordering a bottle at clarklewis during a weekend trip to Portland....

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:39 PM | | Comments (0)

September 28, 2009

Trust Cellars 2007 Syrah Walla Walla Valley

In the glass, the Trust Cellars 2007 Syrah Walla Walla Valley (14.4%) is a deep, dark purple with reddish tint on the edges. Blackberry and cherry fruit notes are combined with a rich earthiness to the nose. This Walla Walla Valley syrah is a well balanced wine offering black fruit flavors and food-friendly acidity. I was pleased that the fruit was not over-ripe nor was the oak overplayed. There was a bit of tannin coming off of the small amount of cabernet sauvignon (11%) blended into this wine. Even still, this gave the wine a good structure. I think...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:07 PM | | Comments (2)

September 27, 2009

Beacon Hill 2007 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley

I have to say, it's refreshing when a winery is honest about what they have produced in a bottle of wine. Such is the case with the folks at Beacon Hill, whose label and web site describe the Beacon Hill 2007 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley (13%) in a manner that is consistent with what I experienced: Lightish, nice color, black cherry/ blackberry, poco brick spice. Rose petals, short finish, nice, clean, elegant. This is our only wine made from purchased fruit, with a dash of our own berries to add a little stuffing. Simple and bright in the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:02 PM | | Comments (0)

Phelps Creek 2007 "Le Petit" Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge

In the glass, the Phelps Creek 2007 "Le Petit" Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge (13.5%) was a ruby red with a slight brickish orange hue on the edge. This suggested the wine might have suffered from a bit of oxidation, possibly due to its screw-top closure becoming compromised. On the nose, there was some fruit but overall it smelled the way a lot of cheap pinot noir does that is grown in areas unsuitable to the task. This signature smell was predominant in the flavors on the palate, which included a metallic taste that led to a sour finish and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:28 PM | | Comments (0)

Belle Pente 2007 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

The Belle Pente 2007 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills (12.9%) is hands down one of my top five favorite Oregon pinot noirs from the 2007 vintage. I picked up a bottle of the Belle Ponte Dundee Hills back in July for $22, a bargain price considering how delicious this wine is now and how wonderful it will most likely be after more time in the bottle. In the glass, the Belle Pente was a clear ruby red delivering an earthy funk at first that blew off in due course to reveal strawberry fruit and floral perfume. In the mouth, this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:09 PM | | Comments (0)

September 24, 2009

Love & Squalor 2007 Riesling Willamette Valley

What a terrific wine the Love & Squalor 2008 Riesling Willamette Valley (12.4%) is to enjoy with spicy Asian cuisine. This Oregon riesling was a very light straw color in the glass, providing slight hints of petrol and citrus notes. Citrus fruit flavors, crisp acidity, light texture and a long finish made this wine very enjoyable. There was just enough residual sugar to make this wine shine, without the usual viscous, cloying nature of some rieslings. We paired the Love & Squalor riesling with beef tenderloin yakitori marinated in miso, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, salt and pepper. At...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:00 PM | | Comments (2)

Trisaetum 2007 Riesling Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Trisaetum 2007 Riesling Willamette Valley (11.5%) was a light yellow hay color with tints of green on the edges. On the nose, there was the slight petrol signature along with wet stone, minerals, and sweet honey suckle. Flavors of honey, melon and tangy fruit predominated with a sweet and sour finish that was a bit too cloying and viscous for my taste. I wasn't captivated with this Oregon riesling and found it's sweet/sour flavor profile and texture a bit off-putting. At $25, I would pass on getting another bottle of this wine. Related Links Trisaetum...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:50 PM | | Comments (0)

September 15, 2009

Belle Pente 2005 Riesling Willamette Valley

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:26 PM | | Comments (0)

September 13, 2009

Evesham Wood 2008 Grüner Veltliner Willamette Valley

When I discovered that Evesham Wood had grown and produced a grüner veltliner from Oregon, I could not wait to give it a try. After pairing a bottle with dinner the other night, it's clear the Evesham Wood 2008 Grüner Veltliner Willamette Valley lives up to its billing: For fans of racy acidity and intense varietal character, these wines are sure to please. This includes our first ever bottling of grüner veltliner (or “gru-vee” as it’s come to be known by afficianados). Considering the young age of our planting, our version already seems to have the unmistakable flinty mineral...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:26 PM | | Comments (0)

àMaurice Cellars 2006 Chardonnay Columbia Valley

In the glass, the àMaurice Cellars 2006 Chardonnay Columbia Valley (13.6%) is a beautiful, golden yellow color. Unfortunately, this is all that I found pleasing in this wine, for it was essentially a vanilla oak bomb on the nose and in the mouth. Little, if any, fruit or bouquet from a variety that has much to reveal, unless it's been smothered in new oak. I thought this treatment of chardonnay went out of style in the 90's. There must remain demand for this approach, as I just don't understand why anyone would adulterate this grape with so much oak....

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:01 PM | | Comments (0)

Belle Pente 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Belle Pente 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (12.5%) is comprised of fruit "from selected blocks of several Yamhill County vineyards". From what I understand, this bottling was labeled in previous vintages as the Yamhill-Carlton District pinot noir. However, this year their web site declared it "a Belle Pente "economic stimulus package" Pinot Noir!", pricing it under $20. What a terrific value this Oregon pinot noir offers at the $18 price point I purchased it at retail. In the glass, the Belle Pente pinot noir was a cloudy, ruby red color, initially offering a predominant earthiness that eventually morphed...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:46 PM | | Comments (1)

J. Albin 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley

At $15, the J. Albin 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (13.5%) is a wine worth serving often. In the glass, this Oregon pinot gris is a clear, steely yellow color delivering floral citrus and tropical fruit to the nose. In the mouth, it's a refreshingly clean and crisp fruit-forward wine, without the cloying viscosity that comes with some Pac NW pinot gris. We enjoyed a glass of the J. Albin pinot gris as an apertif while cooking dinner over several nights. Considering it's price point and overall quality, this is one to have on hand whenever a crisp, refreshing...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:52 PM | | Comments (0)

St. Innocent 2007 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The St. Innocent 2007 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a deep garnet red in the glass, offering bright and pungent blackberry and black cherry fruit with hints of strawberry to the nose. In the mouth, the St. Innocent Shea pinot was light and crisp, but lacking flavors of fruit that one would expect. It was a bit flat and watery overall, with a slight, lingering finish of cherry fruit. We paired this Oregon pinot noir with a grilled NY strip steak (seasoned with salt/pepper) that was cooked medium rare, sliced, and then placed on top of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:40 AM | | Comments (0)

September 06, 2009

L'Ecole No 41 2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc

The L'Ecole 2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc (13.5%) is a wonderfully refreshing, food friendly wine, one that I am becoming a big fan of after drinking two consecutive vintages (see my coverage of the 2007 here). In the glass, the Walla Voila is a clear, light golden yellow color, offering scents of ripe melon and pineapple. Just as the back label describes, this Washington chenin blanc offers good fruit, crisp acidity, and a slight sweetness that pleases the palate. At $15, its a very good value, especially for those looking for a good wine to go with spicy foods....

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:58 PM | | Comments (0)

September 04, 2009

North Valley 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The North Valley 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.6%) was a clear, medium ruby red in the glass, offering hints of eucalyptus and talc on the nose without much fruit present. This Soter produced pinot was a bit short on its fruit forwardness, being mostly sour and cloying in the mouth. We paired the North Valley pinot with a dinner of grilled chicken thighs, fresh corn, and a rice pilaf. At $30 a bottle, I found it fell far short of its expected quality-price ratio. It just did not meet the bar, therefore I would pass on getting another...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:19 PM | | Comments (1)

Freja 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

This is an Oregon pinot noir that did not meet the bar; one that I would recommend avoiding. The Freja 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) was a slightly cloudy, medium garnet in the glass, with fleeting hints of fruit overtaken by predominate notes of menthol, eucalyptus and talc. Sour, watered-down flavors became overwhelming tannic with a finish that tightened the throat. We briefly paired this $18 wine with a dinner of grilled chicken thighs, fresh corn, and a rice pilaf. I even tried it again a night after we opened it to see if the Freja had settled...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:59 PM | | Comments (2)

August 31, 2009

Crowley 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Crowley 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) is my kind of Oregon pinot noir. I had a good feeling about this wine when it appeared in the glass as a clear, light ruby red, offering strawberry fruit with hints of earth interwoven throughout. My feelings were confirmed by flavors of delicious red berry fruit, balanced acidity, and a silky smooth finish. Nothing viscous, cloying, candied, or sour about this Oregon pinot noir. Just a good combination of fruit plus acidity equalling goodness. We paired the $25 Crowley pinot noir with a dinner of homemade spaghetti ala matriciana, a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:49 PM | | Comments (0)

August 16, 2009

Walter Scott 2007 Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

When opening a bottle at my table, I really appreciate it when the label provides some insight as to the who, what and where of the wine. Even if the label falls short but the producer's web site delivers on these same fronts, then I can be a bit forgiving of what the label lacks. It's hard to forgive, let alone forget, how the Walter Scott 2007 Pinot Noir Eola Amity Hills (13%) came up short on its label, on its non-existent web site (a URL is featured on the label, while the domain has yet to be registered),...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:33 PM | | Comments (8)

Woodward Canyon 2007 Dry White Riesling

One of my favorite all time Washington wines was the Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling. My only regret with this wine was not buying a case when it was available. I wasn't a big fan of Rick Small's 2006 riesling, as it clocked in at 14.2% alcohol, making it far too high octane for my taste. Rick and I chatted about this at the 2008 Taste Washington, where he assured me that the 2007 would be more to my liking. Rick was mostly right about his Woodward Canyon 2007 Dry White Riesling, but the alcohol level still remains...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:44 PM | | Comments (0)

St. Innocent 2007 Villages Cuvée Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

In the glass, the St. Innocent 2007 Villages Cuvée Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) is a clear, light ruby red with strawberry and fruit notes leading to hints of menthol. This is a very food friendly wine in terms of its acidity. Fruit flavors were a bit toned down, but it offered a nice long cherry finish that wasn't candied like other Oregon pinot noirs can be. We paired the St. Innocent pinot noir with braised chicken thighs that were cooked in a single pot with white onions, fennel, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs. This delicious meal was served...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:17 PM | | Comments (0)

August 14, 2009

Harmonia 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

A medium dark garnet red in the glass, the Harmonia 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.5%) delivered muted strawberry and blueberry notes at first followed by a predominant earthy funk. This was a creamy pinot noir with balanced acidity and lasting cherry finish. We paired the Harmonia with a wild King salmon grilled to medium rare and then placed on a bed of stir-fried yakisoba noodles. A coconut milk, red curry paste, brown sugar sauce was drizzled over the salmon, completing this amazing dish. This was an interesting Oregon pinot noir for $20, but even still I would pass on...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:47 PM | | Comments (0)

August 02, 2009

Evesham Wood 2008 Rosé of Tempranillo “Vin d'Une Nuit”

I subscribe to the notion that the lighter the color of rosé, the better the wine. Such is the case with the Evesham Wood 2008 “Vin d'Une Nuit” (12.5%), a rosé of tempranillo from Oregon that was a refreshing wine to have during the recent heatwave here in Seattle. This isn't a wine that makes you say "wow!"; rather, it's a wine that prompts you to say, "ahhh!". In the glass, the Evesham Wood rosé a very light peach color with a slight perfume of red berry fruit and notes of minerality. The Vin d'Une Nuit offered clean, crisp...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:51 PM | | Comments (3)

Belle Pente 2007 Cuvée Contraire

In the glass, the Belle Pente 2007 Cuvée Contraire Willamette Valley (12.7%), a rosé of pinot noir and gamay noir, is a light, watermelon red color with slight hints of red berry fruit on the nose. This wine came around more as it warmed up from its refrigerated state. This Belle Pente rosé offered bright red berry fruit flavors with balanced acidity. It was slightly viscous and cloying, but not so much that it turned me off. Overall, we found this to be a refreshing, delicious rosé. Not sure I would buy another bottle at the $17 price point,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:42 PM | | Comments (0)

August 01, 2009

Cameron 2007 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

In the glass, the Cameron 2007 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills (12.5%) is a clear, garnet red offering notes of bright strawberry and raspberry fruit followed by hints of earth. These red fruit flavors continued in the mouth, with a predominant cherry signature adding to the mix. Balanced acidity and a long tasty finish made the Cameron pinot a delightful wine to drink with our dinner. We paired the Cameron with grilled King salmon, a caprese salad, and a fresh loaf of olive and rosemary bread. This wine showed well on the first night, and was even better a day...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:08 PM | | Comments (1)

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...

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

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:20 PM | | Comments (0)

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...

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

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:24 PM | | Comments (0)

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:38 PM | | Comments (0)

June 29, 2009

Milbrandt Vineyards 2007 Traditions Riesling

The 2007 vintage is an improvement on the Milbrandt Vineyards Traditions Riesling Columbia Valley, having not especially liked their 2006 bottling. Milbrandt's 2007 riesling (12.5%) is a light, golden yellow in the glass, offering tropical fruit notes with a hint of minerality. This Washington riesling provided good fruit and a touch of sweetness balanced with crisp acidity. We paired this wine with spicy Thai beef stir fried with shallots, peanuts, and chilis, served on a bed of green leaf lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers. The Milbrandt riesling (12.5%) was made for spicy food, as the off-dry style combined with the bright...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:37 PM | | Comments (0)

Grochau Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The GC 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a garnett. slightly cloudy, red in the glass, offering perfumed notes of strawberry and cherry fruit. This was a very bright, very fruity Oregon pinot noir, with bold cherry flaovrs but not much in the finish. The Grochau Cellars pinot was paired with grilled pork loin, fresh Washington asparagus, and a rice pilaf. At $20, it was a decent Oregon pinot, one that didn't blow me away, but didn't turn me off either. As such, I would buy another bottle for another go - it would be interesting to see...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:29 PM | | Comments (0)

June 22, 2009

H Wines 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

A clear ruby red in the glass, the Hamacher "H" 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) offered notes of strawberries, cherries, and raspberries fresh picked in the fields with hints of earth and soil. This Oregon pinot noir delivered fresh fruit flavors with good acidity and a lasting cherry finish. It paired well with Mesquite grilled organic whole chicken, fresh Washington asparagus, and a Caprese salad. At $25, this wine offers a decent quality-price ratio, which would compel me to buy another bottle or two for later in the year. Related Links Hamacher Wine Notes Dr. Vino's Review...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:47 PM | | Comments (0)

June 21, 2009

Domaine Serene 2004 Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir

The Domaine Serene 2004 Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (14.1%) was a slightly cloudy, garnet red in the glass, delivering notes of strawberry, cherry, and raspberry fruit, followed by earth and cola. Wonderful fruit and acidity combined in a pleasant mouth feel from the smooth tannins leading to a long delicious finish. We paired this $35 Oregon pinot noir with grilled King salmon seasoned with olive oil, Kosher salt, and ground pepper served on a bed of lentils alongside a salad of tomoatoes, feta cheese and olives. A Greek yogurt sauce with cucumbers, fresh dill, and peppers made...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:55 PM | | Comments (0)

June 16, 2009

Domaine Drouhin 2007 Arthur Chardonnay Dundee Hills

Ah, what a terrific wine the Domaine Drouhin 2007 Arthur Chardonnay Dundee Hills (13.9%) is to the eyes, nose, and mouth. It's not often that I would spend $30 on a bottle of white wine, but this Oregon chardonnay is well worth every penny. A light, golden straw color in the glass, the Arthur was a very aromatic, floral wine, delivering notes of pear, honeysuckle, and pineapple. These scents repeated themselves as flavors, with a fullness to the wine that was not cloying, offering a long, lasting finish. The acidity was very well balanced, making this a delicious food-friendly...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:18 PM | | Comments (1)

J. Scott Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley

The J. Scott Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a greenish, gold straw color in the glass, offering some volatile aromas of tropical fruit. Flavors of ripe melon, pineapple, and apple were present along with balanced acidity and residual sugar. We paired this $15 Oregon pinot blanc with chicken enchiladas in a tomatilla and chili sauce with a green leaf lettuce and sliced avocado salad on the side. Overall, it was okay, but not a wine that would compel me to buy another bottle. Related Links J. Scott Wine Notes...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:05 PM | | Comments (0)

June 08, 2009

Maysara 2007 Pinot Blanc McMinnville

What a terrific Oregon pinot blanc, reminding me once again how delicious this variety can be. The Maysara 2007 Pinot Blanc McMinnville (13%) is the first Demeter certified biodynamic wine in the Pacific Northwest, according to the Maysara web site, which makes drinking this that much more pleasant. In the glass, the Maysara pinot blanc is a clear, light golden straw color, offering these delightful floral aromas of honeysuckle combined with pineapple and melon. Flavors of pear and green apple predominate with a crisp acidity and enticing minerality. We paired this wine with teriyaki chicken thighs on steamed rice....

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:43 PM | | Comments (0)

June 07, 2009

Nicholas Cole 2005 Camille Columbia Valley

With a rib-eye grilling on a mesquite wood fire last night, I headed down to the cellar wanting something big and bold to pair with my Texas-style steak. Scanning the racks, I noticed the Nicholas Cole 2005 Camille Columbia Valley Red Wine (14.6%), a bottle I received free as part of a mixed case prize from Northwest Palate magazine. The Camille is a blend of merlot (45%), cabernet franc (28%), cabernet sauvignon (26%), and petit verdot (1%), with the merlot coming from Canoe Ridge and the rest from the Nicholas Cole estate vineyards in Walla Walla. In the glass,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:43 PM | | Comments (0)

June 06, 2009

Syncline 2007 Pinot Noir Columbia Gorge

The Syncline 2007 Pinot Noir Celilo Vineyard (13.8%) is a clear standout amongst the few producers who craft pinot noir from Washington grown fruit. I've sampled a variety of Washington pinot noirs these last few years and have found none that have met the quality bar, at least according to my subjective palate. However, this Columbia Gorge wine offers an intriguing taste profile due to its old vine fruit, sourced from the Celilo Vineyard, which was planted in 1972. The Syncline is a very drinkable wine. Even still, it might disappoint the diehard Oregon pinot noir drinker, as it...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:01 PM | | Comments (0)

Raptor Ridge 2007 Pinot Noir WV

The Raptor Ridge 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a clear garnet color in the glass delivering ripe cherry, dusty earth, toasted caramel, and jammy aromas to the nose. This Oregon pinot noir was a bit viscous in the mouth, being long on jammy fruit flavors and short on acidity, causing it to come off as flat. We paired the Raptor Ridge with grilled Copper River sockeye salmon, roasted Washington asparagus, and tomato orzo. It was a delicious Pacific Northwest dinner, however, the Raptor Ridge fell a bit short of our preference in Oregon pinot noir. At $33,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:23 PM | | Comments (0)

King Estate 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

The King Estate 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir Signature Collection (13%) was a clear, ruby red in the glass, offering notes of dusty earth, slightly sour strawberry fruit, and hints of herbs. On the palate, this pinot delivered flavors of strawberry and cherry fruit with an earthiness that was pleasing along with its food-friendly acidity. All of this led to a nice, long finish, making it a delicious accompaniment to our Korean bbq hangar steak, sliced into strips and then placed into lettuce leaves along with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, rice and julienned carrots. At $27, the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:45 PM | | Comments (2)

May 25, 2009

Broadley Vineyards 2007 Estate Pinot Noir

The Broadley Vineyards 2007 Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a deep ruby red in the glass offering notes of fresh raspberry and cherry fruit with hints of earth. These flavors continued to open up with every glass we enjoyed with our grilled Copper River king salmon which was served on a bed of herbed orzo with fresh asparagus and a caprese salad alongside. At $33, this was a more expensive Oregon pinot noir than others I have been drinking in the 2007 vintage. Although it offered fruit sourced from its vineyards, I am not sure if this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:17 PM | | Comments (0)

Brooks 2007 Riesling Willamette Valley

This Oregon riesling offered a delicious pairing with a spicy, lamb kefta dinner one night. In fact, it became the Brooks 2007 Riesling Willamette Valley became an instant hit with our meal, offering acidity to cut the rich lamb with sweetness to cool the heat. In the glass, the Brooks riesling was a clear, light straw color delivering a slight petrol signature followed by distinct notes of wet stones. There was an appealing minerality to this crisp, light wine, one that carried itself through a long finish. The Brooks (11.2%) offers a style in riesling that is a clear...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:17 PM | | Comments (0)

Kyra 2007 Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley

The Kyra Chenin Blanc 2007 Columbia Valley ($13), with 1.5% residual sugar and a syrupy viscousness to it, is too much sweetness for my taste. I enjoy off-dry wines with spicy foods, but the Kyra (12.8%) was just not my style. It was like sugar cane in the glass. Related Links Washington Wine Report Review...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:27 PM | | Comments (0)

May 16, 2009

Dobbes 2007 Grande Assemblage Cuvée Pinot Noir

What a terrific wine the Dobbes 2007 Grande Assemblage Cuvée Pinot Noir is. In the glass, this Oregon pinot noir ($26) was a light ruby red delivering strawberry, raspberry, and cherry fruit to the nose along with hints of truffles, fennel, white pepper and dusty earth. I really enjoyed the red berry fruit flavors and balanced acidity that led to a lush and long silky finish. We paired the Dobbes pinot (13.5%) with grilled Jamaican jerk chicken thighs, fresh Washington asparagus, and steamed herb rice. This wine was a wonderful complement to our meal and one that I am...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:26 PM | | Comments (1)

May 09, 2009

Cayuse 2005 God Only Knows Grenache

After seeing some of the rave reviews about this wine and then trying it for myself over dinner recently, I could not help but think, "God only knows what the fuss is all about..." or maybe it's better put "God only knows how anyone could claim to taste anything but alcohol..." I am a big fan of grenache and have enjoyed many a Washington rendition of this variety. But I just don't get it with Christophe Baron's version, the God Only Knows 2005 Grenache Cayuse Vinyeards. At 14.7%, this wine packs a bunch beyond that delivered to one's brain...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:44 PM | | Comments (4)

May 02, 2009

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

For the record, I am extremely biased toward Walla Walla Valley fruit, therefore my subjective palate has a tendency to become fully smitten with wines made from grapes sourced in this area of Washington state. Such is the case with the L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley, a wine I am left with feelings of regret for not having another bottle to enjoy. I came into possession of this wine as part of a mixed case I won well over a year ago after completing a customer survey for Northwest Palate magazine. In the glass,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:32 PM | | Comments (0)

Cristom 2007 Pinot Noir Mt Jefferson Cuvee

What a terrific Oregon pinot noir. In the glass, the Cristom Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Mt Jefferson Cuvee Willamette Valley (13.5%) is a clear, ruby red giving off scents of dusty earth and perfumed notes of strawberry/raspberry fruit and mint. On the palate, the Cristom has a very nice, clean mouth feel, with red berry fruit flavors and balanced acidity, all leading to a deliciously long finish. We paired the Mt Jefferson cuvee , which is a blend of fruit from 13 different vineyards, with fresh wild King salmon which was seasoned with fennel salt and olive oil and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:10 PM | | Comments (0)

April 29, 2009

Barnard Griffin 2008 Rosé of Sangiovese

The Barnard Griffin 2008 Rosé of Sangiovese (12.5%) is a bright cherry Kool-Aid color in the glass, delivering somewhat sour strawberry fruit notes on the nose. On the palate, this Washington rosé didn't show much in the way of red berry fruit, with a lasting sour twang turning me away. Based on this experience, I would pass on getting another bottle ($10). (Photo courtesy of Barnard Griffin web site) Related Links Tavola Rosso Review Barnard Griffin Wine Web Page...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:51 PM | | Comments (0)

A to Z 2008 Oregon Rosé

In the glass, this Oregon sangiovese rosé was a cherry Kool-aid color with notes of dusty cherry and strawberry fruit. The cherry flavors were most prominent on the palate throughout with a somewhat viscous mouth feel. The bright acidity and balanced fruit flavors make the A to Z 2008 Oregon Rosé (13.5%) a good choice for summer foods. And the $11 price point and screw cap top make for a reasonably priced, convenient picnic wine. Overall, we enjoyed this wine and would buy another bottle. (Photo courtesy of A to Z Wineworks Web Site) Related Links A to Z...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:31 PM | | Comments (0)

April 26, 2009

Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley

Syncline rosé is summertime in a glass. It symbolizes all that this season brings us here in Seattle. Warm, sometimes even hot, temperatures, sunny skies, backyard grilling, dining al fresco, and glasses of chilled rosé to enjoy all summer long. My wife and I have a preference for French rosé, with those being lightest in color usually our most favorite. Too often local producers create an over-extracted rosé, resulting in a drink that is more liked spiked Kool-Aid than wine. The Syncline 2008 Rosé Columbia Valley (13.8%) is a clear light salmon color in the glass offering dusty perfume...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:28 PM | | Comments (1)

Patricia Green 2007 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir

In the glass, this Oregon pinot noir was a medium ruby red, a surprisingly dark color considering how other 2007s in a comparable alcohol range are so light. On the nose, the Patricia Green 2007 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (12.5%) offered notes of strawberry and raspberry fruit with a hint of earth. In the mouth, the Patricia Green pinot came up flat, as it seemed to lack enough acidity. The fruit and earthy flavors dropped off very quickly without any lasting finish. Based on the color and smell of this wine, I expected more. It just didn't...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:56 AM | | Comments (0)

April 18, 2009

Patricia Green 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Oregon

It's not often one comes across an Oregon sauvignon blanc, for this variety is the lowest production grape in the state. Seeing a bottle of Patricia Green 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Oregon for $18 at my local retailer, I was intrigued enough to give it a try. The Patricia Green sauv blanc was a light golden yellow/green color in the glass. On the nose, it delivered a fragrance of fresh asparagus, green pepper, and grass. In the mouth, the flavors were lacking while it definitely lived up to the winemaker's notes of being "high-toned". I found the dry, sour finish...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:47 PM | | Comments (0)

Brick House 2007 Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge

One of my new favorites from Oregon, the Brick House 2007 Gamay Noir Ribbon Ridge ($24) is a terrific wine. In the glass, this clear, garnet-colored Oregon gamay delivered an intriguing spectrum of scents including fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit, slightly perfumed floral notes, and hints of earth, all integrated together in a captivating way that kept my nose coming back for more. I became smitten with this wine just smelling it - seriously, it was that mesmerizing. In the mouth, the Brick House gamay noir (13.4%) was a fresh, bright beautiful wine, offering flavors of red berry fruit...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:25 PM | | Comments (5)

April 12, 2009

Ryan Patrick 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

While preparing a beef dinner the other night, I pulled a Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley from the cellar, a bottle I won as a result of a survey contest from Northwest Palate magazine. This Washington cab was just not our style, for it's high alcohol (14.5% listed on the label) obliterated any fruit and burned away any possible finish it might offer. To each his or her own, but this is a Washington wine that is meant to be drunk young, meaning a year or two after bottling. Otherwise, time will only fade the fruit,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:17 PM | | Comments (0)

Dobbes 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley

This Oregon pinot gris was a light, greenish gold in the glass with hints of melon and a bit of spice on the nose. The Dobbes 2007 Pinot Gris (13.7%) was surprisingly flat, with muted fruit flavors, and an overall viscous, cloying mouthfeel. I would pass on buying this $16 wine again, for there are other Oregon pinot gris that offer better quality at this price point....

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:12 PM | | Comments (0)

April 02, 2009

Arcane Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir WV

The Arcane Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) is a clear, light ruby red in the glass, delivering subtle strawberry and raspberry fruit notes along with a pronounced earthiness combining spice and cedar. This Oregon pinot noir offers delicious flavors that continued to evolve over time, all the while balanced with good acidity and an ever present long, cherry finish. Whether on the first or second night this wine was opened, the Arcane starts with an earthiness in the nose, as if you're following the vines source of sustenance from the soil all the way up to the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:02 PM | | Comments (0)

March 31, 2009

Round 2 Recos: Oregon 2007 Pinot Noir

Earlier this year, I started seeing an increasing number of newly released 2007 Oregon pinot noirs at local wine stores and grocers. After amassing a mixed case and a half of these wines, I decided to embark on a tasting experience that would entail opening a single bottle over the course of 18 separate dinners. This experience and the resulting recommendations of wines I would want to drink again became "Round 1". As more Oregon pinot noir from the 2007 vintage entered the retail channel, I found myself eager to sample more of these wines, thus creating a "Round...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:24 PM | | Comments (0)

March 27, 2009

Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

After so much similar tasting Oregon pinot noir these last few weeks, the Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (12.5%) was a welcome and delicious departure in style and substance. As mentioned in yesterday's post, I was eager to finish off Round 2 of the 2007 Oregon pinots and move on to something else due to many of these wines starting to blend together due to their similarities. I had yet to realize what this last wine would afford in terms of its contrast with the other 17 bottles in this round. The Biggio Hamina was unique from...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:42 PM | | Comments (1)

Tertulia Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Tertulia Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (13.9%) specifies Columbia Valley on the label, but the winemaker notes online state most of the fruit came from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards, both in the Walla Walla Valley. No matter, as just one taste is all one needs to realize its made of Walla Walla fruit. In the glass, this 85% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cab franc, and 3% merlot blend is a medium purple color with cherry, cedar, spice, and floral notes on the nose. The Tertulia is a well balanced and integrated cabernet, offering delicious, earthy black fruit...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:29 PM | | Comments (0)

March 25, 2009

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir WV

For a study in contrasts, we decided to open the Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir (13%) alongside a 2006 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (14.5%) from the same producer. I purchased the '07 at retail for $24, while the '06 was provided as a free sample from the winery. Before getting into comparative tasting notes, it's worth calling out the terrific way in which Willamette Valley Vineyards connects their customers to the people and places behind their wines. I called this out in a previous post and want to highlight this distinguishing factor again. Simply put, there are few...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:12 PM | | Comments (0)

Adelsheim 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Adelsheim 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (12.8%) is a clear, light ruby red in the glass, delivering notes of dusty strawberry and raspberry fruit leading to modest red berry fruit flavors with balanced acidity. This Oregon pinot noir took a while to open up and was even better on the second night we tasted it. We paired this wine on its first night with grilled pork chops, rice pilaf, and roasted cherry tomatoes. Anyone who likes a full flavored pinot noir will most likely find the Adelsheim '07 WV pinot too modest for their tastes. But I found...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:46 PM | | Comments (0)

March 22, 2009

Foris 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir comes from a producer in the Rogue Valley in southwest Oregon. As such, the Foris 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.4%) offers a distinct taste profile relative to fruit sourced from the Willamette Valley. In the glass, there was a slight cloudiness to the ruby red Foris which offered muted fruit on the nose and a bit of a twang to the flavors in the mouth. There was some cherry fruit, but in general it tasted like a poorly made, cheap wine. Overall, we found the Foris lacking in the signature flavors one has come to...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:18 AM | | Comments (0)

Big Fire 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

The Big Fire 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.55%) was a light ruby red in the glass, which eventually included some harmless tartrate crystals with the last pour. This Oregon pinot noir delivered hints of menthol with sour strawberry and cherry fruit to the nose. The fruit flavors in the Big Fire pinot noir were fleeting, leading to a sour, acidic finish. We paired the wine with a delicious chicken cacciatore spaghetti dish, with the Big Fire being a bit underwhelming next to this flavorful meal. At $24, I found it to be lacking relative to other 2007 Oregon pinot...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:56 AM | | Comments (2)

Silvan Ridge 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir was a clear ruby red in the glass with a dusty earthiness to the nose combined with hints of menthol and modest strawberry and cherry fruit. The fruit seemed to come alive in the finish, which was primarily comprised of cherry flavors, with a somewhat viscous and cloying aftertaste. We paired the Silvan Ridge 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.5%) with a single dish meal of chicken cacciatore in a bowl of spaghetti. This is one of my favorite dishes Kari crafts, but unfortunately the Silvan Ridge was a bit too muted and flat, while the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:43 AM | | Comments (0)

March 14, 2009

Sharecropper's 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir is all about cherry fruit. The Sharecropper's 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.0%) is a medium ruby red in the glass with full cherry notes that repeat themselves in even stronger flavors on the palate. This wine was a bit viscous in the mouth offering bright acidity, but mostly it was all about cherry fruit. We paired the Sharecropper's with a hearty Tuscan white bean soup Kari crafted along with a mixed green salad that included blood red oranges. A fresh baked baguette completed the meal. We tried this wine again on a 2nd night with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:41 AM | | Comments (0)

March 12, 2009

Purple Hands 2007 Oregon Red Wine

Having never tried a pinot noir and merlot blend before, I was intrigued by the Purple Hands 2007 Oregon Red Wine (13.5%), a creation from Ken Wright Cellars. Purple Hands is comprised of 85% merlot, 10% pinot noir, and 5% cabernet franc, whose varietal details you can only find on their site versus including this on the back label. The '07 Purple Hands offers a decent red wine blend, with the taste profile of a fruit forward, silky merlot. Here is what the back label had to say about its creation: "We named our label Purple Hands in tribute...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:39 PM | | Comments (0)

March 11, 2009

J. Albin 2005 Laurel Vineyard Pinot Noir

Here's how I would characterize the J. Albin 2005 Laurel Vineyard Pinot Noir (13%): a fresh cedar box full of ripe red cherries with some spice tossed in for extra measure. From the scents wafting up from my glass to the flavors dancing across my tongue, this Oregon pinot was all about cedar, cherries, and spice. This is the second time I have had this wine, with one more bottle in the cellar. At $27, this is a relatively inexpensive wine from the 2005 vintage to have scored months ago at my local wine merchant. However, I don't remember...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:13 PM | | Comments (0)

March 09, 2009

Patricia Green Cellars 2007 Eason Vineyard Pinot Noir

The Patricia Green Eason Pinot Noir was a slightly cloudy, garnett red in the glass, offering a dustiness, almost talc like sensation to the nose. There was more earth to the scents from this wine than fruit, which continued delivering on the palate with sour strawberry flavors. The Patricia Green 2007 Eason Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills (13.5%) was a bit disjointed in that halfway through each taste, it throws this funky curve ball at you that quickly drops like a sinking pitch. It just didn't seem very well integrated or balanced. We paired this Oregon pinot noir with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:34 PM | | Comments (0)

March 07, 2009

WillaKenzie 2007 Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir WV

This WillaKenzie pinot noir is a wine that I intend to drink more of in the months ahead. In the glass, it was a clear, ruby red, delivering terrific notes of red berry fruit with a subtle earthiness. Flavors of strawberry and cherry were balanced with good acidity creating a wonderful roundness to this wine. We paired the WillaKenzie 2007 Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.8%) with grilled pork chops, seasoned with salt and pepper after marinating over night with a garlic rub. Kari diced a few apples and cooked them down on the stove top, creating a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:11 PM | | Comments (1)

Red Door Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir WV

This Oregon pinot noir, which retails for $19, was a clear, light red in the glass with slightly sour strawberry fruit and hints of smoke and earth on the nose. Muted fruit flavors and a clean finish made the Red Door Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) an even wine, without any variation to offer. We paired the Red Door pinot noir with a delicious tikka masala on basmati rice and roasted red peppers on the side. This pinot noir offered decent acidity, making it a good, food friendly wine. Even still, I came away without a reason...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:33 PM | | Comments (0)

March 04, 2009

Brooks 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Brooks 2007 Pinot Noir is an interesting wine, for it is one of the lightest Oregon pinots from the '07 vintage I have tasted thus far. It also one with the lowest alcohol tasted to date. This is a wine that screams for food, for it could easily be dismissed as a thin or watery pinot if tasted on its own or even at the beginning of a meal. In the glass, the Brooks is a very light red, with ever so slight cloudiness to it. On the nose, I picked up muted fruit, while notes of raspberry...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:37 PM | | Comments (1)

O'Reilly's 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir was a light red ruby color in the glass, with notes of sour strawberry fruit and dusty menthol. With our teriyaki chicken thighs and onions on steamed rice, it delivered bright acidity, muted fruit, and a short finish. At $19, the O'Reilly's 2007 Pinot Noir Oregon (13%) is inexpensive, but the quality just wasn't there. I would pass on this one. Related Links Owen Roe Web Site...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:27 PM | | Comments (3)

Ponzi 2007 Pinot Noir Tavola

The Ponzi 2007 Pinot Noir Tavola Willamette Valley (13%) was a slightly cloudy medium red in the glass, with notes of strawberry fruit and dusty hints of menthol and eucalyptus on the nose. On the palate, this Oregon pinot noir offered a sour strawberry flavor, much like pureed strawberries that had been picked a bit under-ripe. At $25, I think there are better alternatives to consider. We paired the Ponzi Tavola with an Asian beef stir fry, which combined peanuts, chives, chilis, lime juice, and fresh cilantro on leaves of green lettuce and steamed rice. It was one of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:04 PM | | Comments (0)

March 03, 2009

Jezebel 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

The Jezebel pinot noir was a bit stinky at first, which is something I am finding more commonplace with young, screw cap Oregon wines. Fortunately, this off-putting odor dissipates with time, but not without an unpleasant experience straight out of the bottle. This Oregon pinot noir was a clear, ruby red in the glass, which is becoming the signature color of this vintage. There wasn't a lot on the nose with the Jezebel 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13%), although some cherry fruit flavors, albeit muted, came out after a while. We paired the Jezebel with an Asian beef stir...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:41 PM | | Comments (0)

Illahe 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The Illahe pinot noir is light, somewhat cloudy, ruby red in the glass, with intriguing fruit and earth notes on the nose. This LIVE certified, sustainable Oregon wine offered flavors of strawberry fruit with balanced acidity leading to a long, tasty finish. The Illahe 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) is a good value at $22, a wine that I will definitely stock up on for future dinners. It was such a wonderful complement to our meal, that I completely forgot to write down what we ate that night. Such is the joy of a good wine at the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:11 PM | | Comments (0)

March 01, 2009

Saviah Cellars 2005 Big Sky Cuvee

This Washington wine is a blend of Stillwater Creek fruit, comprising 57% merlot, 24% cabernet, 14% cab franc, 3% malbec, and 2% petit verdot. In the glass, the Saviah was a beautiful deep purple, delivering scents of black fruit, especially cherry. Silky tannins and a velvety finish confirmed this wine's varietal make up being mostly merlot. But the sweet, candied fruit and flavors of new oak were just not my style in this type of wine. We paired the Saviah Cellars 2005 Big Sky Cuvee Columbia Valley (14.1%) with grilled beef tenderloins, roasted broccoli that had been dressed in...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:07 PM | | Comments (0)

February 27, 2009

Eola Hills 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

The Eola Hills pinot noir was a clear, light to medium red in the glass, and delivered scents of dusty menthol and eucalyptus that seemed to mute the red berry fruit that was trying to reveal itself. On the palate, this wine delivered very bright acidity with a slight sourness to the strawberry and cherry fruit. The Eola Hills 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.6%) did much better with time, as it opened up and paired well with our dinner, which consisted of French onion soup and open-face ham and cheese sandwiches. Even still, I wasn't impressed with this wine,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:46 AM | | Comments (0)

Wine by Joe 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

Wine by Joe is a terrific Oregon pinot noir for $15. This 2007 pinot was a clear, light ruby red in the glass, offering an enticing combination of red berry fruit, earth and hints of eucalyptus to the nose. Cherry fruit flavors predominated this wine, which provided good acidity leading to a nice, long finish. We opened the Wine by Joe 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.5%) with friends during a dinner that featured Kari's rendition of French onion soup. Her inspiration for this dish comes from a simple recipe from Epicurious, which she adapts by using Gruyère cheese and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:13 AM | | Comments (0)

February 24, 2009

A to Z 2007 Oregon Pinot Gris

What a delicious Oregon pinot gris at such a reasonable price point. The A to Z 2007 Oregon Pinot Gris (13%) was a clear, light straw color in the glass, delivering notes of pineapple, melon and honeysuckle. Flavors of these same fruits with a hint of honey predominated, followed by bright, crisp acidity. At $14 a bottle, this is a wonderful table wine that would pair well with most any dish. We matched it with a meal of chicken thighs, Yukon gold potatoes, and artichoke hearts that had all been dressed beforehand with olive oil, fresh thyme, and lemon...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:14 PM | | Comments (0)

Panther Creek 2007 Pinot Noir Winemaker's Cuvee

This 2007 Oregon pinot noir was a very elegant, evolving wine. In the glass, the Panther Creek 2007 Pinot Noir Winemakers Cuvee Willamette Valley (13.2%) was a clear, medium ruby red color with muted notes of strawberry and red cherry fruit followed by hints of earth and flint. On the palate, there were modest red berry fruit flavors, mostly strawberry and cherry, with bright acidity and a nice finish. We paired the Panther Creek pinot with a grilled filet of Arctic char which Kari placed on a bed of lentils that had been cooked with garlic and onions. On...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:47 PM | | Comments (0)

February 22, 2009

Round Two - 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

After making my way through a mixed case and a half of 2007 Oregon pinot noir, I couldn't help myself by grabbing another round of newly released wines from this standout vintage. With their elegant style, low alcohol, and balanced acidity, the 2007 Oregon pinots are an outstanding accompaniment to any meal. And with what appears to be an over abundance of Oregon pinot from this vintage in the $15 to $25 price range, these wines are becoming a staple at our table each night. Without further ado, here is the "Round 2" lineup we will be tasting through...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:18 PM | | Comments (0)

February 21, 2009

Mannina Cellars 2006 Sangiovese Walla Walla Valley

This Washington sangiovese was a clear, dark purple in the glass, delivering notes of cherry and other red berry fruit with an ever-so-slight hint of oak. On the palate, the Mannina Cellars 2006 Sangiovese Walla Walla Valley (13.6%) offered cherry fruit forward flavors with well integrated acidity and tannins leading to a nice, velvety finish. This was a very nice, food friendly wine. The Mannina sangiovese is comprised of 89% sangiovese combined with 8% merlot, 2% cab, and 1% syrah. We paired it with a traditional Pasta Bolognese that Kari crafted, combining beef, veal, pork, and pancetta, ground together...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:41 PM | | Comments (2)

February 18, 2009

Recommendations: 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

About six weeks ago, I embarked on a quest to try as many 2007 Oregon pinot noirs as were available at local groceries and wine shops. With a mixed case in my cellar and another half case added along the way, I proceeded to open each of these 18 wines over the course of 18 dinners and then posted tasting notes afterward. Looking back on these 18 bottles of Oregon pinot noir, I have got to say that 2007 is shaping up to be one of my favorite vintages. Overall, this case and a half collection, ranging in price...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:44 PM | | Comments (8)

February 17, 2009

Argyle 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Argyle 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley was a clear, ruby red, almost the color of cherry Kool-Aid, which offers a useful description for the bright, ripe fruit flavors experienced with this wine. This Oregon pinot noir skewed toward scents and flavors of candied cherries, all of which was followed by some heat on the finish due to the 14% alcohol. At $28, I found the '07 Argyle to be a wine that I would pass on repurchasing, as its ripeness and higher alcohol were not my style. Related Links The Grape Crusader Review Argyle Web...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:04 PM | | Comments (0)

Cloudline 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir was a clear, medium red in the glass offering notes of strawberry and cherry fruit along with scents of eucalyptus. On the palate, the Cloudline 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir (13.5%) provided modest, yet at times sour, red berry fruit flavors and balanced acidity leading to a long, smooth finish. I would definitely try this wine again, for at $20, it offers a decent price-quality ratio. Related Links Wine Commentator's Review '06 vs. '07 Dirty South Wine Review Ray Johnson's Wine Blog Review...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:51 PM | | Comments (2)

A to Z 2007 Pinot Noir Oregon

From the largest producer in the state, the A to Z 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir offers a decent price point at $18 for an entry-level Oregon wine. The A to Z pinot (13.5%) was a light to medium ruby red in the glass, with slightly sour strawberry notes and muted fruit flavors leading to modest acidity making it a bit flat on the finish. We paired it with Spaghetti Ala Matriciana, a delicious pasta dish Kari crafts on frequent occasions, which was that much better with this Oregon pinot noir. Even at its low price, the A to Z...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:43 PM | | Comments (0)

February 16, 2009

Klee 2007 Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir, named after the artist Paul Klee, was a medium, cloudy red in the glass, offering notes of ripe strawberry and cherry fruit. along with a bit of dusty earthiness. The Klee 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a bit over-ripe for my taste, for the candied cherry fruit was just too sweet, due to not enough acidity present to balance this wine. However, when combined with a grilled beef tenderloin, zucchini gratin, and wild rice, the Klee pinot noir showed well. Relative to its 2007 peers, this is a fuller, riper pinot, one that...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:56 PM | | Comments (0)

Elk Cove 2007 Pinot Noir

When first opening this Elk Cove pinot noir, it was a bit sour and stinky on the nose. While the off-putting smell blew off with time in the glass, there remained an ever present sourness to this Oregon wine, even with unexpected bursts of red cherry fruit. The Elk Cove 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) offered bright, if not, excessive acidity, which could be the reason for its slightly sour taste. We paired it with a Thai dish comprised of sauteed prawns and red peppers in a coconut milk sauce served on a bed of steamed basmati rice...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:36 PM | | Comments (0)

February 10, 2009

Erath 2007 Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir was a light, clear red in the glass, offering modest, yet slightly sour, notes of fruit on the nose. When first opening the screw cap, there was an overbearing presence of sulfites that eventually diminished in the glass. After tasting a number of these young Oregon pinot noirs, it's clear that decanting the '07 vintage will only serve to improve these wines. The Erath 2007 Pinot Noir Oregon (13%) was no exception, as it tasted much better on the 2nd day after opening. Overall, I enjoyed the modesty and elegance this wine offered, especially considering...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:06 PM | | Comments (0)

January 27, 2009

Westrey 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

This Oregon pinot noir from 2007 is a wine that showed well from the first pour in the glass to the last sip with dinner. The Westrey 2007 Pinot Noir (13.5%) was a bit cloudy in the glass, offering red berry fruits, floral perfume, and earthy notes to the nose, while delivering great acidity and flavors of strawberry/cherry fruit, licorice, and toast, leading to a long, lasting finish. We paired the Westrey with a couple of pizzas Kari crafted, one a caramelized onion, Salumi salami, rosemary, and Parmigiano-Reggiano, and the other a mozzarella, olive, artichoke, tomato sauce, and pickled...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:42 PM | | Comments (0)

Chehalem 2007 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir was a light, clear ruby red in the glass, offering an overwhelming hydrogen sulfide smell, which eventually blew off. Like many of its youthful peers from this vintage, the Chehalem 2007 Pinot Noir 3 Vineyards Willamette Valley (13.5%) is best served decanted, for it did start to show off some deep red fruit, especially cherry notes, after some time in the glass. On the palate, the Chehalem provided very bright acidity, leading to some sour strawberry notes, but then followed by a long cherry finish. We paired the Chehalem 2007 3 Vineyard with a dinner...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:00 PM | | Comments (0)

January 25, 2009

King Estate 2007 Signature Pinot Gris

This Oregon pinot gris has become somewhat of a staple at our dinner table these last few months. We enjoy the King Estate 2007 Signature Pinot Gris Oregon (13%) as an aperitif or with a meal calling for a food-friendly pinot gris. The '07 pinot gris is a light, clear straw color in the glass, with scents of pineapple, cantaloupe, lemon and honeysuckle. The tropical fruit and honey flavors stand out, but are well balanced by the crisp acidity in this wine. It's a delicious table wine offering a wonderful complement to any meal. We paired the King Estate...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:32 PM | | Comments (1)

January 24, 2009

Evesham Wood 2007 Pinot Noir

This is a terrific Oregon pinot noir for $18. In fact, considering its price-quality ratio, this is one of the best of the 2007 vintage I have tasted to date. The Evesham Wood 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) is a bit cloudy in the glass, giving off a bouquet of dusty earth and muted red berry fruit, with a modest floral perfume encapsulating these scents. Flavors of strawberry and cherry are evident with balanced acidity ending in a decent finish. This is a wine that deserves time to open up and express itself. While serving this at dinner,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:48 PM | | Comments (0)

Lange 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

This Oregon pinot noir is a clear, light red in the glass offering notes of cherry cola and dusty eucalyptus. In the mouth, it is consistently smooth and even from start to finish, however, it seemed a bit flat without much structure or acidity. Even after tasting a day later, the Lange '07 pinot was much the same, if not a bit flatter. We paired the Lange Estate Winery 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.2%) with a mushroom risotto accompanied by a Julienne apple and fennel salad dressed in oil and vinegar. It was a great meal on a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:18 PM | | Comments (0)

January 23, 2009

Cooper Mountain 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir

This is yet another well made Oregon pinot noir from a producer that offers its wines at affordable prices. The Cooper Mountain 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) retails for only $22, but offers a level of quality that approaches wines at two to three times its price point. Even better, the fruit is grown and wine is made through sustainable practices, which could be the reason why Cooper Mountain wines stand apart from some of their peers. In the glass, the '07 Reserve is a very light ruby red, almost to the point of being rose colored....

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:02 PM | | Comments (0)

Patricia Green 2007 Four Winds Pinot Noir

A unique expression of Oregon pinot noir, the Patricia Green 2007 Four Winds Pinot Noir McMinnville (12.5%) is a captivating wine, in that its modest, elegant approach kept me returning to the glass to try to discern the various smells and flavors with each swirl and sip. Some may not like this approach, but I find this is what makes wine enjoyable. The more searching a wine requires, while still revealing itself gradually in return, the more engaged I become with every glass. This test of the senses is much preferred over wines that present smells and flavors that...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:24 PM | | Comments (0)

January 21, 2009

Terrapin Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir was a light, yet cloudy, ruby red in the glass with sour red berry fruit on the nose along with herbs and a cinnamon toast spice. Flavors of muted fruit and tempered acidity with a sour, if not astringent, aftertaste. The Terrapin Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.2%) was purchased for $18, but even with its affordable price point, this wine left much to be desired. It was a bit flat throughout, never offering anything to show for itself. We paired this wine with a tomato sauce penne pasta dish garnished with fresh basil...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:14 PM | | Comments (0)

Chehalem 2007 INOX Chardonnay

This Oregon chardonnay was a bit disappointing in terms of what it delivered at its price point of $19. In the glass, this wine was a very light yellow color offering faint notes of tropical fruit and very muted mineral notes. On the palate, it was outright flat, with weak acidity and little to show for the varietal. We ended up not finishing the bottle of this lackluster wine, for it wasn't worth filling our glasses with something that left us wanting. The Chehalem 2007 INOX Chardonnay Willamette Valley (13.5%) did not meet the bar in terms of bouquet,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:04 PM | | Comments (0)

Patricia Green 2007 Pinot Noir Reserve

In the glass, this Oregon pinot noir from 2007 was a medium translucent red offering hints of earth, especially that of pronounced forest floor leading to sour cherry and strawberry fruit notes. In the mouth, the Patricia Green reserve was fruit forward with a bit of candied cherry dropping off quickly to a short finish. The Patricia Green Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir Reserve Willamette Valley (13%) was a decent wine, but at $26 I found this to be a bit disappointing in terms of value. It began with much promise considering its earthy tones, but the fruit seemed to...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:50 PM | | Comments (0)

January 17, 2009

Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Blanc

This delicious Oregon pinot blanc was a light yellow straw color in the glass, offering scents of pineapple and melon with a light, crisp taste that showed mostly mineral flavors with modest tropical fruit. The Biggio Hamina had moderate acidity throughout ending in a clean finish. The Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Blanc Yamhill Valley Vineyard McMinnville (13.5%) was paired with chicken teriyaki (thigh meat only) on a bed of steamed rice accompanied by stir-fried red peppers and sugar snap peas garnished with toasted sesame seeds. I enjoyed this food friendly wine, especially the mineral characteristics combined with modest fruit,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:16 AM | | Comments (1)

Chateau Bianca 2007 Pinot Noir

This wine offers a very good representation of Oregon pinot noir at a low price of $16. In the glass, the Chateau Bianca 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (12.5%) was a very light ruby red. It smelled of dusty eucalyptus, earth, and strawberry fruit. Flavors of strawberry and raspberry fruit, albeit slightly sweet, but balanced with bright acidity making this a delicious food friendly wine. The Chateau Bianca pinot was paired with an Italian dish comprised of an Italian sausage (sans casing) tomato sauce cooked and reduced on the stove top and then served over a bowl of soft...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:30 AM | | Comments (2)

Broadley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir

This Oregon pinot noir from the 2007 vintage is a light to medium ruby red color in the glass, with appealing notes of forest floor giving way to slightly sour cherry and strawberry fruit. It offers bright acidity with pronounced flavors of red berry fruit and an earthiness that was a nice backdrop to a long finish. We paired the Broadley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) with grilled pork chops that had been seasoned with Italian herb salt along with roasted fennel and cherry tomatoes in chicken broth and a rice pilaf. I really enjoyed this wine...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:16 AM | | Comments (0)