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April 30, 2011

Maryhill 2009 Dry Riesling Columbia Valley

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Maryhill 2009 Dry Riesling Columbia Valley (12.6%) was a clear, straw yellow/green color delivering floral, stone fruit notes combined with wet stone and a slight signature hint of petrol. On the palate, this Columbia Valley riesling offered crisp acidity and a pleasing minerality, with enough residual sugar to balance everything. I enjoyed this wine, especially knowing its price point of $14. I would definitely pick up another bottle of two. Related Links Maryhill Winery Site...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:19 PM |

April 12, 2011

Brick House 2008 "Evelyn's" Pinot Noir

In the glass, the Brick House '08 "Evelyn's" Pinot Noir (13.5%) was a clear, garnet red color delivering these ethereal notes of fresh summer red berries with a hint of spice. The aroma was so delicate, so lovely, so pretty - an elegant wine. In the mouth, this Ribbon Ridge Pinot noir was well balanced and structured with a delicious combination of fruit, acidity, tannin and minerality. I wanted to experience more of the sights, smells and tastes of this wine after every sip. Glad to know there are a couple more bottles in the cellar to enjoy in the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:51 PM |

February 03, 2011

Cameron 2009 Giuliano Willamette Valley

This is a deliciously fun white wine in so many ways. The Cameron 2009 Giuliano (13.2%) is a blend of five varieties: friulano, auxerrois, pinot bianco, pinot grigio, and moscato. As a result, it's full of pretty floral notes in the glass, with these lively scents of apricot, peach, pear, and pineapple. Each sniff brings another layer of fruit to the surface, all of which is resting on an appealing foundation of minerality. The Giuliano blend provides a full mouthfeel, with a viscosity that avoided becoming syrupy. I really liked the residual sugar balanced against the crisp acidity in this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:51 AM |

January 21, 2011

Well deserved praise for 2008 Oregon Pinot noir

Eric Asimov, wine critic at The New York Times, gives high marks to Oregon Pinot noir after he and several others in a panel tasted twenty different wines from 2008. Asimov joins an expanding chorus of reviewers heaping praise on this vintage - you can see his list of recommendations here. While Asimov cautions that his top ten picks aren't necessarily the "best" Oregon Pinot noir from 2008 (rather, just the favorites from the twenty tasted), I am not surprised to see some of the producers featured on his top ten list of recommendations. Belle Pente (#1), WillaKenzie (#2), Adelsheim...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:19 AM |

January 11, 2011

Brick House 2008 Chardonnay Ribbon Ridge AVA

I love this wine for so many reasons... It's an incredibly delicious, captivating wine, a Chardonnay made in the style of white Burgundy (e.g., whole cluster, neutral oak, native yeast, lees, unfined/unfiltered). The estate's twenty year old Dijon vines (clones 75, 76, 78, 99) are cultivated using sustainable practices (e.g., certified biodymanic and organic). The Chardonnay fruit is hand-picked and hand-crafted, with minimal intervention throughout the winemaking process. At only $24, it's an inexpensively priced Chardonnay considering the high quality, especially to others in its category. The 2008 Brick House has special memories attached to it as well. I first...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:10 PM |

January 06, 2011

Most Popular/Favorite Posts from 2010

Here's a list of the most viewed (and implied read) posts from last year, along with my favorites published in 2010. One thing is clear about this site: most of those visiting seek wine reviews or tasting notes. Even still, a significant number of visitors read my "Perspective" posts, which focus on relevant topics that go beyond how a wine tastes. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who visited BeyondtheBottle.com in 2010. I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences with Oregon and Washington wine. I also hope my coverage helped enhance your own enjoyment of a wine,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:29 PM |

November 21, 2010

Seven of Hearts 2008 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton

In the glass, the Seven of Hearts 2008 Elvenglade Vineyard Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton (13%) was a light, golden yellow color revealing floral citrus notes combined with a pleasing spice and minerality. On the palate, this mostly barrel fermented chardonnay had a predominant vanilla flavor, but it was tempered by the lemon peel and tropical fruit notes as well as the bright acidity. The lingering finish was pleasing due to the wine's minerality. I liked this $24 wine and look forward to future vintages from this producer. Related Links Travel Oregon Blog Review Seven of Hearts Web Site...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:44 PM |

Misty Oaks 2008 Constitution Ridge Pinot Blanc Umpqua Valley

Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. I continue to be intrigued and delighted by Pinot blanc from Oregon. Unfortunately, I think it remains an undiscovered, if not underrated, wine. Over the last several years, I have really enjoyed drinking a variety of Pinot blancs from around the Willamette Valley. Little did I know that the Umpqua Valley was producing a terrific wine from this variety in the Misty Oaks 2008 "Constitution Ridge" Pinot Blanc (13.8%). In the glass, this estate grown Pinot blanc was a clear, light straw color offering notes of lemon...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:50 PM |

Biggio Hamina 2009 Pinot Grigio Cougar's Mark Vineyard WV

I am not a big fan of Oregon Pinot gris, as most seem monochromatic to me. I rarely buy it, opting instead for more interesting white varieties from the state such as Chardonnay and Riesling. My subjective palate even finds Pinot blanc more intriguing than most Pinot gris. The Biggio Hamina 2009 Pinot Grigio Cougar's Mark Vineyard Willamette Valley (12.9%) is an exception and enough of a standout that I would definitely buy more of this $17 wine. In the glass, this wine was a clear, light straw color, providing tropical notes of melon and pineapple combined with mineral scents...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:04 PM |

November 15, 2010

Photos: Belle Pente's biodiversity

When it comes to wine, there are tasting rooms, there are wineries, and then there are farms. Belle Pente Vineyard and Winery is a true farm, with a range of biodiversity that might surprise those who visit, including me. I arrived expecting to find rows of grapes, but instead came upon a diverse collection of animals grazing in the pastures surrounding the Belle Pente estate vineyard. Case in point, a small herd of Scottish highland cows with two six month old calves. Their moms were highly attentive to anyone approaching the fence, especially with a camera pointed at them...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:37 PM |

November 13, 2010

BeyondtheBottle.com is now on Facebook

If you're a member of Facebook, then you can now enjoy BeyondtheBottle.com at Facebook.com/BeyondtheBottle. Just visit the page and select the "Like" button and it will be added to your news feed. In doing so, you will have access to additional commentary and coverage of Oregon and Washington wine, as well as connect with others within the Facebook community. I invite you to add our new Facebook page to your favorites and use it to share your comments about my coverage of our region's wines and the people and places behind each bottle. Along the way, please feel free...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:45 AM |

Video: Harvest Day 2010

Last month, I had the opportunity to spend two days at Lemelson Vineyards, capturing a variety of activities during the peak of harvest in the Willamette Valley. This short video offers an intimate look at the hard work and team effort that goes into harvest each year, from the pick in the vineyard at sunrise to the sort in the winery thru sunset. Harvest Day 2010 from Beyond the Bottle on Vimeo....

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:34 AM |

November 11, 2010

Cameron 2008 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

Cameron has become one of my favorite producers in the Dundee Hills AVA of Oregon. Year after year, these folks know how to craft outstanding wines from Dundee Hills fruit. The 2008 Cameron Pinot Noir Dundee Hills AVA (12.8%) is yet another example of excellent viticulture and fine winemaking. I could wax poetic about my experience drinking this wine, from the garnet red color in the glass, to the delights this bottle revealed in terms of fruit, acidity, and minerality over consecutive nights. But to be honest, Michael Alberty of Story Teller Wines in Portland does this wine better justice...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:39 PM |

November 07, 2010

Photos: Chardonnay fruit at Belle Pente and Brick House

The fruit at both Belle Pente and Brick House tasted absolutely delicious on the vine. I am looking forward to opening a bottle of each 2010 Chardonnay a year from now. Chardonnay in Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay in Brick House Vineyard Related Links More coverage of Belle Pente Vineyard More coverage of Brick House Vineyards...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:47 PM |

November 04, 2010

Photos: Filling the bins with fresh picked fruit

Here are two of my favorite shots from the Belle Pente Vineyards harvest last month. It was amazing seeing how quickly these bins filled with fresh picked fruit. The pace this crew undertook to pick the fruit and load each bin was humbling. Thank goodness there are folks like the ones who worked this vineyard to bring this harvest in and eventually bring the fruit to our tables. Again, I am humbled by their hard work harvesting. Filling the bins with fresh picked fruit Clean clusters of delicious Pinot noir...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:29 PM |

November 03, 2010

Photos: Friends sorting Brick House Pinot noir

For a number of harvests now, several of Doug Tunnell's longstanding friends travel from distant lands to lend a hand picking grapes, sorting fruit, and doing whatever else that is needed. As old friends do, there was a lot of back and forth between Doug and his mates, which made for good fun as they worked a long day from the vineyard's rows to the barn's sorting table, processing bin after bin. I observed that there is more than just fruit that goes into Brick House wines; friendship plays an important part in crafting each bottle. Related Links More coverage...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:10 PM |

November 02, 2010

Photos: An afternoon at Brick House Vineyard

Upon arriving at Brick House Vineyards to shoot one afternoon during harvest, Doug Tunnell and Melissa Mills invited me to first sit down with the rest of their crew to have a glass of wine as they finished up a late lunch. That's what it is all about - taking pause and soaking it all in before getting back to work. I like that approach and appreciated the kind welcome from Doug and Melissa, who were such gracious hosts throughout my stay. Grace is a word that aptly describes Brick House wines, ones that I am a big fan of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:04 PM |

November 01, 2010

Photos: Picking Pinot at Belle Pente

In yesterday's post and photo, I described how steep this vineyard was to climb and how out of shape I was trying to ascend it. Here are a couple of shots captured as the crews quickly harvested Pinot noir in this section of the Belle Pente estate vineyard. For more photos of harvest and other wine-related scenes, click on any photo or the Flickr module in the right hand column. Hope you are enjoying these images from harvest in the Willamette Valley. B>Related Links More coverage of Belle Pente Vineyards...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:59 PM |

October 31, 2010

Photos: Sunrise on Belle Pente Vineyard

With the sun about to rise over the horizon, I raced past the crew that had started picking Pinot noir at the bottom of the Belle Pente vineyard to find a high point from which to shoot. As I ascended the hillside, it dawned on me how steep this vineyard was and how bad of shape I was in. I instantly gained respect for those picking fruit, a group of men and women, young and old, who would quickly and methodically move up these slopes, without ever seeming to pause for a rest. I arrived to take this shot out...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:44 PM |

October 30, 2010

Photos: Harvest in the Willamette Valley

For three pristine days this month, I had the privilege of visiting several producers in the northern Willamette Valley, who were all at their peak of harvest activities. At each location, crews were hand picking tons of Pinot noir in the vineyard, while teams in the winery were hand sorting countless bins of fruit. It was a truly connective experience each day walking the rows and tasting the fruit at sunrise, following the harvest through early afternoon, and then finally watching clusters being sorted well past sunset. During harvest, the day's work is clearly never done until the last bin...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:20 PM |

October 17, 2010

With Starbucks serving wine, local producers should benefit

As a passionate consumer of Oregon and Washington wine, I am always eager to introduce folks near and far to our region's bounty, be it gifting favorite wines to scattered family and friends or sharing wine experiences with readers on this site. Not only do I enjoy introducing people to these wines, but I especially like seeing them become instant converts. It's unfortunate that Washington and Oregon wines aren't more widely known and available in other parts of the country. I am frequently disappointed when traveling outside our region to see how under-represented (if non-existent) Pacific Northwest wines are...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:20 PM |

October 15, 2010

Love & Squalor 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

There is something very telling about a wine when you unexpectedly discover during your meal that the bottle is almost, if not entirely, empty. You're so caught up in the enjoyment of it with your dinner, that you honestly forget about how much you (or those around you) have consumed. Not until you reach for another pour when suddenly that bottle feels unexpectedly light...and unfortunately empty. Such is the case with Love & Squalor Pinot noir. When my wife and I first experienced this wine more than year ago at clarklewis, we were shocked at how quickly a bottle of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:36 PM |

Evesham Wood 2009 Chardonnay Willamette Valley

After enjoying a several bottles of this wine over the last few months, I realized that it had yet to be covered as a tasting note. As evidenced by the aforementioned consumption pattern, I am a big fan of this reasonably priced Oregon chardonnay ($14). The Evesham Wood 2009 Chardonnay WV (12.5%) was a clear, light golden yellow in the glass, delivering floral aromas of pear, peach, and lemon, combined with scents of crisp minerality. This Chablis-style chardonnay offers balanced fruit, acidity, and minerality on the palate - very refreshing with a lasting finish. We paired this Evesham Wood chardonnay...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:40 PM |

Evesham Wood 2009 Blanc du Puits Sec Eola-Amity Hills

The Evesham Wood 2009 Blanc du Puits Sec (12.5%) is delicious Alsatian-style wine, blending 90% Pinot gris and 20% Gewürztraminer, with small quantities of two other German grapes, Rieslaner and Kerner, included. In the glass, this Eola-Amity Hills white wine was a light yellow straw color in the glass delivering aromas of pineapple, pear, melon and peach fruit along with hints of spice. The Blanc du Puits Sec offered a light mouthfeel, with a nice balance between fruit, acidity, and residual sugar. We enjoyed this Evesham Wood with spicy Thai food and also as an aperitif the next evening before...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:38 PM |

September 30, 2010

Evesham Wood 2007 Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

For those who might have dismissed the 2007 vintage, I encourage you to get your hands on the Evesham Wood 2007 Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills (13%). This wine is delayed gratification in the bottle...or better put, grace in the glass. Granted, I am clearly biased here - I remain a huge fan of the 2007 vintage in Oregon, as these are my kind of Pinot noir. Graceful, elegant, understated, ethereal...all fitting descriptions for the Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec. The last time I experienced this Evesham Wood pinot was the 2005, a bottle that made me an...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:50 PM |

St. Innocent 2008 Freedom Hill Chardonnay WV

After enjoying their 2007 last year and the 2008 this year, I am hooked on St. Innocent Freedom Hill Chardonnay. In the glass, this Willamette Valley chardonnay is a clear, vibrant yellow gold, delivering round aromas of floral peach and pear to the nose. On the palate, bright notes of fruit and acidity combine to make you want to sip more of this delightful wine. And the minerality that arrives in the finish is really appealing, prompting me to fill my glass again. I stocked up on the 2007 for the same reasons I am going to buy more of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:34 PM |

September 29, 2010

Cristom 2008 Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir

I really enjoyed the 2007 vintage of this wine, therefore was looking forward to trying the 2008, which did not disappoint. That said, the Cristom 2008 Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir at 14% was a bit higher in alcohol relative to the 2007, which showed in the finish. Even still, we enjoyed this Cristom Pinot noir with our grilled King salmon, farro, heirloom tomatoes, and olive bread. A clear garnet red in the glass, the 2008 Mt. Jefferson Cuvee conveyed predominant red fruit aromas with an earthiness that followed. On the palate, there was balanced fruit flavors and acidity with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:25 PM |

Crowley 2007 La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir WV

A terrific wine, one that I am so thankful to have more of in the cellar. In the glass, the Crowley 2007 La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) was a clear, deep garnet red color, delivering wonderful red berry fruit, earth, forest floor, and spice to the nose. On the palate, the Crowley La Colina ($36) was an incredibly well balanced wine, combining a harmony of cherry fruit flavors, complimentary acidity, and decent tannins. A smooth, round lingering finish. I have become a big fan of Tyson Crowley's wines with each bottle opened. His 2007s are reason enough...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:00 PM |

September 14, 2010

Hand-washed dishes vs. machine-picked grapes

Our dishwasher broke down yesterday, therefore I have spent the last two nights hand-washing more dishes and glasses than I care to count, let alone remember. Hopefully, our dishwasher will be repaired tomorrow afternoon, whereupon I will be relieved of this manual, time-consuming task. In the meantime, I have a newfound appreciation for the benefits this machine has brought to our lives, let alone millions of other households around the world. This appliance has reduced what was once hours of manual scrubbing into a quick load of mechanized cleaning. The dishwasher, and other appliances like it, are truly beneficial machines....

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:53 PM |

September 04, 2010

Biggio Hamina 2008 Pinot Noir: Ana, Deux Vert and Zenith Vineyards

A while back, we had the pleasure of hosting Todd Hamina to dinner at my home while he was visiting Seattle. Todd brought over several of his 2008 vineyard designate pinot noirs to open with our meal of chicken cacciatore, which Kari crafted in her magical red Le Creuset. What a terrific occasion it was having Todd join us at our table to enjoy his recent releases while getting to know more about him, his family, and his path to becoming a winemaker (see this OWP article for a more detailed profile). Starting with his inaugural 2007 pinots, I...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:09 PM |

August 20, 2010

IPNC 2010: Saturday, July 24 (Day Two)

What an amazing second day this turned out to be. From the morning pairing seminar to the alfresco lunch to the evening salmon bake, it was a day that exceeded expectations on a number of fronts. Here is a summary of my experiences, thoughts, and impressions from Day Two of the International Pinot Noir Celebration 2010. The Grand Seminar Another breakfast of fresh berries...arrive too late for the bacon and sausage...stomach is craving protein...alas, the "Wine is Food" grand seminar offers a mid-morning brunch of lamb and pinot...four wines matched to four preparations...shoulder, loin, leg and shank...winemaker and chef collaborate...Ray...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:41 PM |

August 14, 2010

IPNC 2010: Friday, July 23 (Day One)

What a terrific first day this turned out to be. From the morning's opening ceremonies to the evening's grand dinner event, it was a day that offered a variety of learning experiences, meaningful connections, and outstanding meals. Without further ado, here is a summary of impressions from this amazing Friday at IPNC 2010. Opening Ceremonies Fruit of the rambling vine for breakfast...fresh raspberries, blackberries, marionberries...pastries galore...welcome from Dr. Thomas Hellie, president of Linfield College...quotes winemaker who claimed, "Pinot noir is the tuning fork of the soul"...still resonates with me even now...Ray Isle, MC for IPNC, talks about the "communal bond,...

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

August 08, 2010

Pre-IPNC 2010 Dinner at Scott Paul

With more than a dozen Willamette Valley wineries hosting dinners on the eve of IPNC weekend, it makes for a tough decision when choosing which one to attend. These Thursday night events are a great way to kickoff what becomes a series of multi-course, multi-flight meals that help define and shape IPNC. The evening Scott and Martha Wright hosted at their downtown Carlton winery on Thursday, July 22, was no exception. In fact, this event exceeded expectations on so many fronts, I probably could have gone home the next day and been happy with that experience alone. The interesting people,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:10 PM |

August 05, 2010

Drawing vines, contemplating wine

One of the activities I enjoy most with my daughters is drawing pictures with them. Last weekend, my youngest girl asked that I join her at the table to draw. With her colorful markers in hand, I quickly sketched this image, one that was clearly inspired by my recent visit to Pinot noir vineyards in Oregon during IPNC weekend. When my five year old daughter saw this she asked, "Daddy, why do you like wine so much?". This query prompted me to really stop and think deep down why wine, especially Pinot noir, was so compelling to me. A...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:51 PM |

August 01, 2010

Photos: IPNC 2010 Vineyard Tour & Winery Lunch

A few shots captured during the IPNC Vineyard Tour and Winery Lunch hosted by Lemelson on Friday, July 23. More details and photos from this terrific day will be shared soon. A view from my seat on the bus A view from my seat at the blending seminar A view from my seat at the outdoor luncheon...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:24 PM |

July 29, 2010

Outstanding in the Field at Oxbow Farm

On Friday, July 16, Kari and I attended an Outstanding in the Field dinner at Oxbow Farm, which is located about twenty miles east of downtown Seattle in the town of Carnation. This event was met with much anticipation for it was not only our first OITF, but also an occasion to celebrate our wedding anniversary. At first glance, the $180 per plate price might seem an extravagance, but considering the outdoor setting at Oxbow Farm, the five course meal prepared by chef Matt Dillon and his team from The Corson Building, the four different wines poured by James...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:13 PM |

June 28, 2010

A case study in Burgundy wine

While it might seem from my lack of posts of late that I may have given up on wine, have no fear for my palate has been experiencing less of the local vine and more of the French kind, specifically pinot noir and chardonnay from Burgundy. My goal over the last several weeks has been to gain a stronger frame of reference by focusing my consumption of these two varieties on the baseline, or better put, benchmark that is Burgundy red and white wine. While I have endeavored to pick up a bottle here and a half case there after...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:17 PM | | Comments (1)

June 08, 2010

Haden Fig 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

A garnet red in the glass, the Haden Fig 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) delivered vibrant fruit with an appealing earthiness. On the palate, this bioynamic/organic/sustainable wine offers black fruit flavors balanced with good acidity leading to a long dark cherry finish. One of three debut wines from Erin Nuccio, assistant winemaker at Evesham Wood, this is an Oregon pinot noir crafted in a similar style to that of Russ and Mary Raney. While priced for $24 at the winery, I found it sold for less in various wine shops around Seattle. Time to get some more. P.S. A...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:08 PM |

Haden Fig 2008 Chardonnay Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Haden Fig 2008 Chardonnay Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a clear, golden yellow color delivering lemon, citrus, mineral and talc notes. On the palate, this stainless steel fermented chardonnay (20% in new oak) offered bright acidity, citrus flavors, and crisp minerality. On its own, the Haden Fig displayed a slightly bracing dryness, but with the right foods this can be an asset. I am a fan of this style of chardonnay, which is why I enjoy Chablis. At $14, the Haden Fig offers a fantastic QPR and is yet another example of the quality of chardonnay being...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:30 PM |

June 06, 2010

Scott Paul 2008 Audrey Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

Last November, I sampled this wine for the first time in the Scott Paul tasting room and enjoyed it so much that I immediately bought a half case of futures that were delivered earlier this spring. Last week, I opened a bottle and enjoyed it so much more that I wondered how on earth the other five bottles would last thru the summer. A clear, ruby red color in the glass, the Scott Paul 2008 Audrey Pinot Noir Dundee Hills (13.1%) offered captivating aromas of multi-layered fruit including strawberry, raspberry and cherry, combined with a subtle earthiness and hints...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:26 PM | | Comments (1)

May 29, 2010

Belle Vallée 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

A clear ruby red in the glass, the Belle Vallée 2007 Pinot Noir (13.6%) was a bit stinky at first but this soon blew off to reveal aromas of bright red fruit and spice. On the palate, this Willamette Valley pinot noir delivered a light mouthfeel combined with delicious flavors of cherry, raspberry and blueberry combined with balanced acidity. We paired the Belle Vallée with grilled flank steak (with a teriyaki-style marinade), rice, and a carrot salad. I enjoyed this wine with our meal, which was purchased at retail for $18. Related Links Daily Glass Review Prince of Pinot Review...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:21 PM |

May 23, 2010

A to Z Oregon Riesling

This Oregon riesling was a clear, light golden straw color in the glass, offering hints of petrol, melon and citrus to the nose. On the palate, the A to Z Oregon Riesling (12.5%) provided a good, clean mouthfeel, with flavors of melon and tropical fruit balanced with nice acidity. I purchased this bottle at my local wine retailer for $13, a price point that offers a terrific QPR. For those seeking a summer sipper or nice accompaniment to spicy grilled foods, the A to Z riesling is one to enjoy as the weather and food heat up in the months...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:53 PM |

Efestē 2008 Evergreen Riesling Columbia Valley

In the glass, the Efestē 2008 Evergreen Riesling Columbia Valley (11.7%) was a clear gold straw color delivering clean citrus and melon aromas to the nose. On the palate, this Washington riesling offered a terrific balance of residual sugar and acidity, wonderful fruit, enticing minerality, and a delicious long finish. At $16, the Efestē Riesling offers a nice quality-to-price ratio. I also liked how the back label described the Evergreen Vineyard from which the fruit was sourced and the style of wine it was crafted into. This is a riesling I will definitely buy again on my next visit to...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:18 PM |

May 12, 2010

Adelsheim 2007 Chardonnay Willamette Valley

The Adelsheim 2007 Chardonnay Willamette Valley (13.8%) is yet another example of how Oregon is distinguishing itself with this grape relative to its neighbors to the north and south. Even before your first sip, the back label offers a useful frame of reference on how this unadulterated chardonnay was crafted: This outrageously fresh white wine is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes grown in the northern Willamette Valley. We make little use of such winemaking tricks as French oak, malolactic fermentation, skin contact and residual sugar. Instead, this is what Chardonnay grapes, grown in Oregon's unique climate, can become with minimal...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:50 PM |

Cooper Hill 2008 Pinot Noir

From the folks at Cooper Mountain, the Cooper Hill 2008 Pinot Noir is a wine that offers one of the better quality-to-price ratios at $18 (you can often find it discounted further). This biodynamic and organic certified pinot noir was a clear garnet read in the glass, offering sweet spicy cherry fruit to the nose combined with notes of earth and talc. On the palate, the Cooper Hill was well balanced with rich red fruit, good acidity, and a long cherry finish. We paired this delicious Oregon pinot noir with slow roasted pork shoulder fajitas that were comprised of fresh...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:34 PM |

Bergstrom 2008 Oregon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Bergstrom 2008 Oregon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (14.1%) was a clear, garnet red color delivering intriguing earthy, dusty black fruit aromas. On the palate, black cherry fruit was most predominant with pronounced tannins and good acidity overall. While this Oregon pinot noir tasted a bit concentrated and sweet on the first night, it became much earthier and mineral on the second night. It was paired with a Canadian bacon, mushroom, and tomato pizza on the first night and then tried alone a day later. I really enjoyed this wine and would buy another bottle to try...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:10 PM |

April 18, 2010

List of Oregon's Certified Vineyards and Wineries

Here are the vineyards and wineries in Oregon that have received certification for sustainable, organic, and/or biodynamic practices. This list was compiled based on information found at the Low Input Viticulture & Enology, Salmon-Safe, Oregon Tilth, and Demeter® USA sites. As a result, this list may not always reflect the most current or comprehensive certifications received by an Oregon vineyard or winery. Vineyards Alloro Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable) Amity Vineyards (LIVE Sustainable/Tilth Organic) Anindor Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable) Anna Marie Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable/Salmon-Safe) Apolloni Vineyards (LIVE Sustainable) Aurora Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable) Avellana Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable) Bass Hill Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable) Bayliss Vineyard...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:49 PM | | Comments (1)

List of Washington's Certified Vineyards and Wineries

Here are the vineyards and wineries in Washington state that have been certified for some type of sustainable practice, be it organic, biodynamic or otherwise. Washington's list was compiled based on info found at the Low Input Viticulture & Enology, Salmon-Safe, and Demeter® USA sites. As a result, this list may not always contain the most current or complete certifications received by a Washington state vineyard or winery. Vineyards Badger Mountain Vineyards (Salmon-Safe) Double River Estate Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable/Salmon-Safe) Figgins Estate (LIVE Sustainable/Salmon-Safe) Frenchtown Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable/Salmon-Safe) Heather Hill (LIVE Sustainable/Salmon-Safe) Les Collines Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable/Salmon-Safe) Loess Vineyard (LIVE Sustainable/Salmon-Safe)...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:44 PM |

March 27, 2010

Brooks 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

This is what I have been hoping for in the 2008 line up of Oregon pinot noirs, a wine that balances fruit, earth and acid in an effective manner. The Brooks 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.4%) does just that. In the glass, the '08 Brooks pinot was a clear, ruby color delivering that delightful combination of red fruit and earth that I love. On the palate, this wine provides a terrific mouthfeel, with well balanced strawberry and cherry fruit, acidity, and earth/mineral elements. Tannins were evident, but not overbearing. We paired this wine with homemade mac n cheese, a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:59 AM |

Matello 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

In the glass, the Matello 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.9%) was a clear, garnet red, delivering aromas of dusty cherry fruit and pie crust to the nose. On the palate, this Oregon pinot offered a nice mouthfeel, with generous cherry fruit, good acidity and a decent finish. We paired this wine with a spicy pasta and bean soup my wife made using a recipe from Bon Appetit. The Matello complimented this meal, holding up well to the medium spice in this dish. To ensure the spice wasn't adversely impacting my experience with this wine, it was drunk without food...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:42 AM |

March 23, 2010

The Eyrie Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay Reserve Dundee Hills

What a terrific experience it was drinking The Eyrie Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay Reserve Dundee Hills (13.5%), a wine with a history unlike any other chardonnay from Oregon, as described on the bottle's back label: This cuvee draws together eight select barrels of Chardonnay from our founding vines, first rooted in 1965 - the Willamette Valley's original planting. As their vigor moderates, these mature vines provide fruit of extraordinary quality. The result is a statement of Chardonnay's most elusive virtue: to manifest new facets of place and vintage each time it is revisited. In the glass, the '07 reserve was a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:16 PM | | Comments (2)

Vin du Lac 2008 "Les Amis" Riesling Lake Chelan

In the glass, the Vin du Lac "Les Amis" Riesling Lake Chelan (13%) was a clear, greenish yellow straw color evoking notes of fresh, bright tropical pineapple with hints of orange zest. This 75% riesling, 18% muscat, and 7% gewurtz blend delivered a clean, crisp mouthfeel with nice fruit, well balanced acidity against the slight residual sugar. I really liked this Lake Chelan wine, which I purchased at the winery for $14. It went very well with our spicy Thai food dinner as well as on its own as well. The folks at Vin du Lac suggest it might be...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:41 PM | | Comments (2)

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 (2)

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 for $26 while visiting the Dunham Cellars tasting room last year. Related Links Dunham...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:23 PM |

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 |

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 |

March 08, 2010

Now is the Time for Oregon Wine

This Thursday, March 11, the Willamette Valley is coming to Seattle for a tasting event that will showcase more than fifty different wineries from Oregon. The line up of producers attending this first-time event is strong, for there are many of my favorite wineries from the valley pouring a broad selection of their wines. While pinot noir easily comes to mind when thinking of Oregon wine, this state is becoming more and more renowned for the quality of its chardonnay, gamay noir, pinot blanc, and riesling. In fact, when looking for food friendly wines that are enjoyable now or...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:00 PM | | Comments (1)

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)

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 |

February 07, 2010

Connections: Oregon Vines and Family Roots

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

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:15 PM | | Comments (1)

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 |

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 |

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 |

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...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:05 PM |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

December 14, 2009

A Visit to Lake Chelan AVA

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

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:09 PM | | Comments (5)

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 |

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 |

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 (2)

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

November 13, 2009

La Paulee de Carlton 2009

What a terrific Saturday it was last weekend as a result of my attending the 4th annual La Paulee de Carlton, hosted by Scott Paul Wines. The event kicked off Saturday afternoon at the Scott Paul winery in Carlton, where a packed tasting room was enjoying a variety of new and old world pinot noir (no tastings fees were charged) with various appetizers available as well. Upon entering the place, I was immediately approached by Martha Wright, who along with her husband, Scott, are proprietors of Scott Paul Wines. The warm greeting shown by both Martha and Scott was extended...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:30 PM |

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 |

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 |

November 01, 2009

Paul Gregutt makes a case for Oregon riesling

In today's Pacific Northwest magazine, Paul Gregutt offers recommendations for three mixed cases of wine, one of which is comprised of rieslings from Washington and Oregon. It appears Gregutt has developed a certain fondness for Oregon riesling just as I have over the past year. Here is an excerpt from Gregutt's introduction to his mixed case of Pacific Northwest riesling: Washington has reclaimed riesling as a signature grape, but it also thrives up and down the coast. These days, I am especially fond of Oregon rieslings, which are widely available at winery tasting rooms, but not always brought up to...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:32 PM | | Comments (2)

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 |

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 |

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 |

October 25, 2009

Introducing "Connections" on BeyondtheBottle.com

BeyondtheBottle.com's genesis arose from the notion that wine was something more than just a beverage, that in each bottle opened a story should be shared about the people, places, and period supporting its creation. It is this story that serves to connect us to something larger and deeper, not only about ourselves but also the world we inhabit. To this day, it amazes me how this notion is lost on many producers, who craft a quality wine, yet come up short in terms of sharing a story behind their product. Far too often, there is little, if anything, offered...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:28 AM | | Comments (3)

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 17, 2009

Rediscovering Chardonnay

Over the last few months, I have been drinking a lot of chardonnay from France as well as a number of select wines from Oregon and Washington. As a result, I am starting to realize what a wonderful variety this is when cultivated and crafted in a style that effectively reveals the beauty inside this captivating grape. I subscribe to the notion that chardonnay's beauty is best expressed when fermented in stainless steel or used oak barrels. In fact, there is nothing that turns me off more than an over-oaked, syrupy, high-octane chardonnay. My preference in these wines ranges from...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:52 PM |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

September 30, 2009

Well-deserved praise for WA and OR riesling

In today's NY Times wine column, Eric Asimov reviews twenty dry rieslings, with five of the top ten comprised of Washington wines along with one from Oregon. This is well-deserved praise for what I believe is one of our region's standout varieties. In fact, I couldn't agree more with Asimov's assessment of several of the wines on his list of recommendations: the 2005 Belle Pente, which I posted about last week, the 2008 Kung Fu Girl, which I have enjoyed on more than one occasion, and the 2007 Eroica, a bottle I had with dinner at Wild Ginger a couple...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:57 PM |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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)

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 |

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 |

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 |

August 15, 2009

Finding Twitterland

I've crossed the threshold into Twitterland. You can follow me at twitter.com/beyondthebottle. See you there!...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:50 PM |

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 |

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 12, 2009

Couldn't agree more about '07 Oregon pinot noir

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

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

July 10, 2009

Walnut City Wineworks 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

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

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:24 PM |

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 |

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 |

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 |

June 22, 2009

Oregon pinot noir at $25 and under

Over the last few months, I have had a number of friends ask me about a decent, food-friendly wine priced at or below $25. When faced with this question, it is hard not to suggest an Oregon pinot noir from the 2007 vintage. As evidenced by the coverage here at BeyondtheBottle.com, I am finding the 2007 pinot noirs from Oregon to be very drinkable and incredibly enjoyable with any meal. Best of all, there are some really good wines being produced at $25 or less. Here are the wines I recommend in this price range: Arcane Cellars 2007 Pinot Noir...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:15 PM | | Comments (4)

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 (3)

May 28, 2009

When good wine goes Brett

That fresh, fruit forward, balanced wine you sampled years ago and purchased a few bottles to set back for a while? It's now got a gamey or Band-Aid taste to it. The culprit? Most likely it's a case of brettanomyces, a yeast that in some instances can add "character" to a wine, while in others can be a total turn off. I recently encountered two cases of brett in wine, both of which helped me realize that I have a high sensitivity toward a particular compound, 4-ethylpheno (4EP), which tends to impart smells of a barnyard or stable as well...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:06 PM | | Comments (1)

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 |

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 |

Sleight of Hand "The Magician" 2007 Gewurztraminer

This Columbia Valley gewurztraminer, Sleight of Hand's "The Magician" (12.7%), is a clear, straw yellow color in the glass, delivering tropical floral scents to the nose. Flavors of ripe pineapple and creamy coconut remind one of a piña colada. Too creamy, viscous for my taste, as I was hoping for more spice and acidity along with the slightly residual sweetness. Purchased at retail for $17. Related Links Sleight of Hands "The Magician" Web Page...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:58 PM |

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 |

Meditrina (5) NV

The Meditrina (5) is an approachable blend of syrah (48%), pinot noir (27%), and zinfandel (25%) from Sokol Blosser in Oregon. In the glass, this wine looks like a syrah, with a deep purple color, while delivering notes of red berry fruits, earth, and toast. This is a very drinkable wine, one that offered good fruit, balanced acidity, and a decent finish. We paired it with a dinner of a rich, hearty sausage sauce on soft polenta with fresh roasted asparagus alongside. At 10,000 cases, a $15 price point, a stylistic name/label, and it's own web site, the Medtrina...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:37 PM |

May 17, 2009

Review: Dunham Cellars Winery

Dunham Cellars is located at the Walla Walla airport in an area that used to serve as the hangars and barracks for flight test crews during WWII. It is an interesting setting and Eric Dunham, winemaker/founder, has made the most of it converting their building into a combination tasting room and "hanger lounge". On the Sunday afternoon I visited, there were eight different wines being poured for a $5 tasting fee, which was refundable with purchase. These wines included a chardonnay, two rielsings, two cab sauvs, two syrahs, and a red blend. The woman serving me was very knowledgeable...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:38 PM |

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 02, 2009

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

April 25, 2009

Dining with Robert Parker's Beau-Frère

On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to dine with Robert Parker's beau-frère, Mike Etzel, who in partnership with his brother-in-law established the aptly named Beaux Frères winery in Oregon during the late eighties. My dinner invitation came from a business vendor, whose team treated our advertising group to an evening of El Gaucho food and Beaux Frères wines. This winemaker's dinner was hosted by Etzel, who ended up sitting at our table for most of the meal, making for an interesting and enlightening experience. I found the circumstances surrounding this free dinner a bit ironic, considering the storm...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:30 PM | | Comments (3)

April 20, 2009

It's time for Pacific Northwest rosé

Almost a month into spring and the temperatures are finally getting above 70 degrees. With sunny skies and warmer temperatures, we have moved our table outside to celebrate some springtime meals. Along the way, we're starting to open a variety of newly released Washington and Oregon rosés. While visiting a couple of wine retailers this past weekend, I've amassed a collection of Pacific Northwest rosé from the 2008 vintage. Should be fun in the coming days/weeks to pop open some old favorites and newly discovered producers. You can expect a line up of tasting notes in the coming weeks focused...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:30 PM |

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 |

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)

March 25, 2009

One more OR pinot noir to go in Round 2

I've got one more bottle of 2007 Oregon pinot noir to open in order to complete "Round 2" and deliver a set of recommendations on these wines. Overall, this round of 18 bottles seemed less enticing than that offered in "Round 1", a collection of pinot noirs that were much more my style. As revealing as this exercise has been, I am not sure this is something I want to continue doing going forward. It becomes somewhat monotonous drinking the same variety from the same vintage from the same region night after night. Even still, I will not cover wine...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:04 PM |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

March 03, 2009

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 |

March 02, 2009

What makes Oregon pinot noir smell/taste that way?

Having tasted hundreds of Oregon pinot noir these last several years, I remain a bit perplexed by a smell and taste in these wines that seems unique to this region. The smell/taste I am referring to encompasses a fairly broad spectrum, from menthol to eucalyptus to wet cement. Often, this smell comes across with a dustiness to it, which rarely shows up on its own, for it's usually a dusty menthol or eucalyptus note I smell with corresponding flavors on the palate. I don't seem to be alone in identify this characteristic of some Oregon pinot noirs, however, no one...

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

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 |

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)

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 |

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 |

January 25, 2009

High Praise for Washington Syrah

Two of my favorite wine columnists/critics, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, recently offered some high praise for Washington syrah, tasting through over fifty wines and then singling out half a dozen as their favorites. Check out the video above or you can read the details at The Wall Street Journal site. Here is their overall assessment of Washington syrah: As a group, these are the most exciting red wines being made in America today that you might actually find on a shelf. This is a strong testament not only to the quality of syrah in Washington state, but more...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:08 PM | | Comments (2)

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

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 |

January 10, 2009

Lange Estate 2007 Pinot Gris

This a delicious Oregon pinot gris, offering pineapple, pear, and honey notes on the nose and tropical fruit and floral flavors on the palate with crisp acidity throughout leading to a long, somewhat viscous finish. It offered a nice accompaniment to the ham/mushroom/tomato and prosciutto/goat cheese/red pepper/artichoke pizzas we had delivered for dinner. At $15, the Lange Estates 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (12.4%) is wine worthy of having a presence at our dinner table whenever a pinot gris is called for or just on its own as an appertif. Related Links Lange Winery Site San Francisco Chronicle Wine...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:36 PM |

Cooper Hill 2007 Pinot Noir

From the folks at Cooper Mountain Vineyards, this 2007 Oregon pinot noir is made with organically and biodynamically grown fruit. In the glass, the Cooper Hill is a medium dark ruby red offering muted notes of red berry fruit giving way to menthol and eucalyptus. As the concentrated color suggests, this wine is a bit sweet, delivering slightly candied fruit flavors. There is good acidity to counter the sweetness, but not much there beyond a fast and fleeting taste of fruit. We used a half of bottle of the Cooper Hill 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13%) in a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:39 PM |

January 09, 2009

Penner-Ash 2006 Riesling

This Oregon riesling was a light, golden color in the glass, delivering signature notes of petrol giving way to stone and minerals, with very understated floral and fruit. The Penner-Ash (12.5%) was dry, offering bright acidity and a clean finish. Not much fruit coming through, making it a bit flat. We paired this wine with Korean-style BBQ, which consisted of grilled tri-tip beef that had been marinated overnight in a soy/ginger/rice vinegar/chili/sesame oil sauce. The beef was grilled medium rare, allowed to rest 5 to 10 minutes, and then sliced into thin strips. We wrapped the beef with steamed...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:05 AM |

Brick House 2007 Pinot Noir Select

A wonderful, unadulterated expression of Oregon pinot noir, that we enjoyed with dinner one night and then even more a day later with another meal. The Brick House 2007 Pinot Noir Select Ribbon Ridge (13.4%) was a very light, cloudy ruby color in the glass, offering scents of fresh strawberry fruit, a bit of dusty eucalyptus, and understated floral notes. Red berry fruit flavors predominated this biodynamic/organic pinot, going from strawberry to cherry, with balanced acidity and smooth texture leading to a long, delicious finish, without any hint of oak along the way. We paired the Brick House with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:04 AM |

January 07, 2009

Wine to Go, Spinasse Style

Last Saturday night, Kari and I went to dinner at Spinasse, a fairly new restaurant in Capitol Hill that specializes in Piemonte food and wine. Justin Neidermeyer, founder and chef at Spinasse, makes fresh artisan pasta daily from scratch for the primi courses, while crafting some amazing antipasti and secondi dishes as well. Besides making great food, Justin has another talent: preparing open wine bottles "to go" in a style that is going to prompt some restaurants to reconsider their brown bag treatment. At the end of our delicious meal, we had no idea what was in store for...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:36 PM |

January 04, 2009

Exploring 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

Over the past couple of weeks, I have picked up and opened a few entry-level 2007 Oregon pinot noirs with dinner, including Erath, Evesham Woods, and Lange. If these are any indication of what's to come, then the 2007 vintage is going to be my kind of pinot noir. Each of these understated wines offered modest fruit, good acidity, and low alcohol. Put another way, they were a clear departure from their overstated predecessors from 2006, a vintage that produced wines that too often tasted of candied fruit and heat from the higher alcohol. Here's what the Oregon Wine...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:26 PM |

December 29, 2008

Syncline 2007 Subduction Red

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) A few weeks back, I grilled up some beef tenderloin steaks while Kari prepared a couple of twice-baked potatoes and a fresh zucchini gratin in the oven. The tenderloin was absolutely amazing, seasoned with course salt and fresh ground pepper, then grilled to medium rare perfection. To go with our dinner, I selected a bottle of Syncline 2007 Subduction Red (14.1%), which I purchased at retail for $18. Last Fall, I covered the 2006 vintage of this same wine, finding it a bit hot and astringent on the finish. Even still, I was so...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:53 PM |

December 28, 2008

Watermill 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With a fondness for Walla Walla cabernet and an appreciation for Richard Funk's winemaking skills, I was excited to try his Watermill 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley, a bottle I purchased at retail for $24. You may recall me going nuts over Funk's 2005 Malbec back in October, which he produced under the Saviah label, a winery he founded in 2000. Through that experience, I learned that Funk holds down a second job as winemaker at Watermill Winery, which is located in Milton Freewater, Oregon, a town 10 miles south of Walla...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:01 PM | | Comments (1)

Christmas Dinner 2008

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) For many years, Kari and I have served a beef tenderloin for Christmas dinner, which is easy to prepare, cook, and carve, especially for a large gathering. This year, we decided to depart from tradition and serve beef bourguignon, for the weather outside had been cold and snowy for so long that this hearty dish seemed appropriate for our dinner celebration. To craft this single pot dish, Kari adapted a recipe from Ina Garden, which by all accounts follows a classic method of preparation. This meal has become a huge hit with friends...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:20 PM |

December 20, 2008

Seven Hills 2005 Syrah Walla Walla Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) During consecutive nights recently, we enjoyed two terrific Washington syrahs with our dinner. The first night's wine was a Columbia Valley syrah, which you can read more about in my previous post. On the second night, we opened a Seven Hills 2005 Syrah comprised of fruit from the Walla Walla Valley, a bottle I purchased for $28 during a visit to their tasting room last summer. Seven Hills describes this wine as "truly a valley-wide blend, with grapes from cobble, hillside and terrace microclimates: Seven Hills, Morrison, Dwelley and Double River Ranch vineyards."...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:32 PM |

December 18, 2008

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Syrah Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) At this time of year, the food we serve at our table becomes hearty fare, and so do the wines that go with it. With winter arriving, there is nothing I like more than to reach for a bottle of Washington cabernet or syrah, especially wines from Walla Walla. And one of my favorite winter meals is a dish Kari crafts by sautéing onions, adding Italian sausage and then her homemade tomato sauce. While this combines in the pan on the stove stop, she starts a pot of soft polenta alongside it. As...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:50 PM |

December 08, 2008

Cooper Mountain 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) After enjoying a bottle of Cooper Mountain's 2003 Reserve Pinot Noir (13.5%) last March, I was excited to get my hands on another bottle, this time the 2006 vintage, which I purchased at retail for $23. We paired this Oregon pinot noir with a combination pizza comprised of ham, mushrooms, tomatoes on one half, and prosciutto, goat cheese, tomatoes, basil, mushrooms on the other. It ended up being a great combination of food and wine, with the flavors of the pizza being brought to life by the Cooper Mountain pinot. As I mentioned...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:02 PM |

December 01, 2008

Torii Mor 2007 Pinot Blanc

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The other night, Kari crafted one of her signature Asian dishes, a ginger chicken and mushroom stir fry with steamed rice. The fresh ginger, chicken thigh meat, and fresh mushrooms get mixed together in a food processor and are then cooked up in a large wok. Best of all is the sauce she concocts from scratch. It includes fresh shredded ginger, sesame oil, chili oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and Sriracha sauce. This stuff brings all of the flavors together, offering a decent amount of heat that slowly builds over time, but never...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:48 PM | | Comments (1)

November 29, 2008

Lumos 2007 Pinot Gris Oregon

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last month, I became a big fan of Lumos wines after enjoying a bottle of their 5 Blocks pinot noir. Dai Crisp, owner/winemaker at Lumos Winery, has hit another home run with his 2007 pinot gris, a bottle I purchased at my local wine retailer for $17. As a result, I am even more smitten with this Oregon producer not only for their wines, but also their overall approach celebrating the people and places going into each bottle of Lumos wine. I paired the Lumos 2007 Pinot Gris Rudolfo Vineyard with our dinner...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:14 PM |

L' Ecole No. 41 2006 Semillon Fries Vineyard

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I should have looked closer at the label before opening this wine, for it wasn't until I poured it into the glass that I realized its alcohol was a whopping 14.4%. Yikes! I just don't understand how some folks can craft white wines with that much octane in them. I had received this bottle of L' Ecole No. 41 2006 Semillon Fries Vineyard Wahluke Slope as part of a mixed case prize from Northwest Palate magazine earlier this year. Otherwise, I would not have purchased a white wine like this, as most that...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:20 PM |

Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 Traditions Riesling

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although this wine may not be one of my favorite Washington rieslings, I am better off for having tried a bottle, which I picked up at my local wine merchant for $11.50. As a result of opening the Milbrandt Vineyards 2006 Traditions Riesling, I was introduced to the larger story that is Butch and Jerry Milbrandt, brothers who extended their farming backgrounds to become winergrowers in the late 1990s. The Milbrandt brothers farm 1,600 acres of grapes in 13 different vineyards, most of which are located in the Wahluke Slope AVA, with a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:36 PM |

November 24, 2008

Columbia Winery Small Lot Series 2007 Riesling

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although this wasn't officially "drank with dinner", we did enjoy this Washington riesling before our meals on two consecutive nights. The Columbia Winery 2007 Small Lot Series Riesling Yakima Valley (13%) offers a delicious expression of our state's riesling at a reasonable price. I picked a bottle up at a local grocer (Metropolitan Market) for $14.50. Columbia's small lot series is a collection of low production bottlings described on their web site as "wines produced exclusively for our wine club and tasting room". Looks like some cases needed to be moved into the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:08 PM | | Comments (3)

November 22, 2008

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) In my last post, I wrote about a wine that was a case study in bottle label minimalism. With this one, I wanted to highlight a producer at the opposite end of the spectrum, Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVV), who with their labels do a fantastic job connecting the consumer to the people, places, and practices going into each bottle of wine. The back label was the first thing I noticed when getting ready to open a bottle of their 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley ($15) and the 2006 Tualatin Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:13 PM | | Comments (1)

November 18, 2008

Bethel Heights 2007 Pinot Gris

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I appreciate minimal intervention in wine making, but when it comes to wine labels, I prefer maximum details and descriptions. At the very least, a bottle's label should offer the consumer a bit about the people, places and practices going into the wine. The Bethel Heights 2007 Oregon Pinot Gris offers a case study in wine label minimalism. Other than the producer, place, variety, and vintage being repeated on the front and back labels, one is left to wonder what went into this wine. Fortunately, there are some insightful winemaker notes at the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:43 PM |

November 09, 2008

Pacific NW Magazine Profiles Wineries and Winemakers

In today's Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine, writer Braiden Rex-Johnson profiles a variety of Washington winemakers and wineries with Paul Gregutt providing his annual budget list of mixed case recommendations for the holidays. Wine & Spirits 2008 profiles six relatively new wineries in our region including Brian Carter Cellars (Woodinville), Willis Hall (Marysville), Wines of Substance (Walla Walla), Cadaretta (Walla Walla), Mercer Estates (Prosser), and Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards (Roseburg, OR). Each profile offers stories about the winemaker and highlights suggested "wines of note". Women winemakers of Walla Walla is a wonderful feature profiling fourteen women winemakers in the Walla...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:56 AM |

November 08, 2008

Capitello 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) One of the benefits from shopping at different wine shops is the discovery of new wines. Such was the case with the Capitello 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, a bottle I purchased for $40 at the Portalis Wine Shop and Wine Bar a couple of months ago. Capitello Wines, located in Eugene, is a family owned and operated winery led by Ray Walsh, who was formerly winemaker at King Estate. Ray is a New Zealand native, who got his start making wine in his home country before ending up in Oregon. After several...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:31 PM |

November 06, 2008

Kings Ridge 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) In 2006, Oregon experienced a bumper pinot noir crop, with wineries crushing over 17,000 tons of grapes. This was 5,000 more tons than in 2005 and twice the size of the 2004 vintage. All of that pinot noir fruit has resulted in more bottles in the retail channel, which is why a variety of "Oregon Pinot Noir" wines have appeared on store shelves this past year. I discovered one such wine, the Kings Ridge 2006 Oregon Pinot Noir(13.5%), while shopping recently at my local wine store. I purchased this pinot for only $16...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:27 AM |

November 05, 2008

Chehalem 2005 3 Vineyards Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) This Oregon pinot noir started out well, then took a bit of slump during our meal, before recovering the next day. On the eyes, the Chehalem 2005 3 Vineyards Pinot Noir (13.2%) was a translucent garnet color. On the nose, it offered red berry fruits including strawberry and raspberry with slight hints of earth and dusty dirt. On the palate, there was cherry and strawberry with balanced acidity. With dinner, the Chehalem 3 Vineyards pinot evolved to show sweet, candied cherry flavors. Kari thought it tasted a bit metallic, almost tinny. On the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:36 PM | | Comments (1)

November 03, 2008

A High Compliment to Oregon Pinot Noir

Whether you're a long-standing fan or someone just getting introduced to Oregon pinot noir, you will benefit from watching and reading Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher's recent experiences tasting wines from the state's 2006 and 2005 vintages. There is nothing but high praise coming from this wine columnist duo, who pay a high compliment to Oregon producers for crafting pinot noir with a true sense of place: The winemakers allowed the vineyards themselves, the fruit itself, the terroir itself, to star. This is what makes great Pinot what it is -- an expression of place. When we tasted...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:53 PM |

October 28, 2008

Cedergreen Cellars 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last April at Taste Washington, I had the opportunity to meet Kevin Cedergreen and try some of his wines. Cedergreen's booth was my first stop of the day and ended up being one of the more memorable. Not only was I taken with Kevin's riesling, old vine chenin blanc, and sauv blanc, but I really enjoyed hearing Kevin tell his story about how he became a winemaker. Kevin hails from eastern Washington where he grew up amongst apple orchards. About ten years ago, he left his work as a landscape architect to train...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:52 PM | | Comments (1)

October 26, 2008

WillaKenzie Estate 2007 Pinot Gris

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) This is a wonderful Oregon pinot gris, which I picked up on sale at my local wine merchant for $15. We paired the WillaKenzie Estate 2007 Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (13.8% alcohol) with salmon pasta, an incredible dish Kari crafts with smoked King salmon lox over a bed of linguine pasta that has been tossed in a light cream-based sauce that includes shallots, white wine, garlic, and fresh dill. On the eyes, the WillaKenzie pinot gris is a clear, clean light golden green color. On the nose, it offers pineapple, melon and pear....

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:51 PM | | Comments (1)

October 22, 2008

Trio Vintners 2007 Riesling

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The Trio Vintners 2007 Riesling Lewis Vineyard Yakima Valley is a wine that executes well on the inside and the outside of the bottle. And it is easy on the pocket book as well, retailing for $16 at the wine shop where I purchased it. We paired the Trio riesling (12.8% alcohol) with a wonderful chicken yakisoba dish Kari crafted, which combined cut up chicken thighs stir fried along with fresh shitake mushrooms, green onions, julienne carrots, and yakisoba noodles. Best of all was this amazing sauce Kari made that pulled it all...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:44 PM | | Comments (1)

October 18, 2008

Saviah Cellars 2005 Malbec

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The Saviah Cellars 2005 Malbec is one of my new favorite wines from the Walla Walla Valley. From the first sip to the last glass, I was completely smitten, if not carried away, with this delicious wine. In fact, after learning it was crafted by Richard Funk, Saviah's founder and winemaker, it wasn't long before I started channeling George Clinton of Parliament: "Ow, we want the funk Give up the funk Ow, we need the funk We gotta have that funk" Okay, so my wife didn't think it was very funny either when...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:56 PM |

October 15, 2008

Lumos 2005 Pinot Noir 5 Blocks

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) It is not often you come across a wine that includes a back label dedication by the winemaker to the vineyard manager and crew. But it is truly unique to find a bottle featuring a group photo of the vineyard crew on this same label. Such is the case with the Lumos 2005 Pinot Noir Five Blocks, a bottle that immediately connects you to the people who cultivated the grapes as well as those who crafted the fruit into wine. Here is the back label's description and dedication: This wine is grown using...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:24 AM |

October 07, 2008

Seven Dinners, Seven Terrific Wines

Wow, what an amazing run of outstanding wines we've enjoyed at dinner this past week. Last Wednesday night, we discovered a new favorite in the Lumos 2005 Pinot Noir Five Blocks, a terrific wine that prompted me to head back to the wine store the next day to buy more. I am completely smitten with this wine, not only for what was in the bottle, but also offered beyond it - more on this soon when I post a review. On Thursday, we opened a Seven Hills 2007 Pinot Gris, which does a fantastic job with this variety. Friday's dinner...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:55 PM |

October 04, 2008

Firesteed 2006 Pinot Noir Oregon

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) In this economy, there's nothing better than finding a good, inexpensive bottle of Oregon pinot noir, a wine you can enjoy on a regular basis without having to worry about breaking the budget. Such is the case with the Firesteed 2006 Pinot Noir Oregon, which I picked up at Metropolitan Market recently for an affordable $15. We paired the Firesteed with a meal of roast chicken breasts with garbanzo beans, tomatoes, and paprika served with a Greek yogurt sauce. It was yet another spectacular dish Kari crafted in our red French oven, a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:53 PM | | Comments (1)

September 29, 2008

Adelsheim 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Third time is a charm, as they say, for it took bottle number three for me to finally blog about the Adelsheim 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley. The first two bottles I enjoyed while dining out, with the most recent bottle with dinner at home which I bought at retail for $30. On each occasion, this wine paired well with the various meals we had and was enjoyed by all who drank it. On the eyes, the Adelsheim pinot (13.8%) was a light, raspberry color. On the nose, there were hints of earth...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:25 PM |

September 28, 2008

Montinore 2006 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) While shopping for wine a couple of weeks back, I discovered a bottle of Montinore Estate pinot noir, a producer I recognized but for the life of me could not recall why. It wasn't until I did some research online and remembered this was an Oregon winery that received quite a bit of press when it was for sale several years ago for $5 million. Rudy Marchesi, who was president of the winery when it was being sold, assumed ownership of Montinore Estate in 2006. The original estate had its founding in the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:17 AM |

September 25, 2008

Trust Cellars 2006 Riesling

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last night, Kari and I enjoyed a wonderful bottle of Trust Cellars 2006 Riesling Columbia Valley with a spicy Korean style barbecue dinner. What a terrific wine to pair with our meal. It even went well with the apple crisp dessert Kari and my daughters made that same day with fresh Washington state Honey Crisp apples. In fact, if it weren't for having to put our daughters to bed, we would have sat at the table and enjoyed the entire bottle. On the eyes, the Trust riesling was a clear, light golden yellow....

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:25 PM |

September 22, 2008

Reininger 2002 Syrah Walla Walla Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although the weather in Seattle these last few days suggested Fall had already arrived, it wasn't until today that the season officially started. It didn't take an equinox to get me in the mood for heartier food and wines, for the cold and rainy weekend weather had already prepared us for some Fall meals. So it was fitting on this official start of Fall that Kari prepared a rich dish of Italian sausage and tomatoes on top of a bowl of soft polenta. Along with the main course, Kari made a fennel and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:11 PM |

September 18, 2008

Rulo 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) It is amazing how some folks can invest so much of themselves into making good wine, yet do the bare minimum to connect their customers to the people and places behind their craft. For example, there are times when little detail about a wine is offered on the bottle's label. And then there are instances when even less information is provided online at the producer's web site. Granted making wine is an incredibly time consuming process, yet it seems a shame that for all of the energy invested, the only testament to this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:04 PM |

September 14, 2008

Torii Mor 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With its Japanese inspired name and label, it wouldn't surprise me if some might mistake this bottle of Torii Mor for sake. On the outside, Torii Mor might suggest rice wine, but on the inside this is pinot noir, and a good wine at that. Torii Mor, located in Dundee, was founded in 1993 by Donald Olson, MD, to focus on producing wine from fruit grown on the Olson Estate Vineyard. He acquired and renamed this site in 1985 - it was formerly known as the McDaniel Vineyard, which was planted in 1972,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:27 PM |

September 13, 2008

WillaKenzie Estate 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Although this WillaKenzie wine may not be my style in pinot noir, the WillaKenzie winery is my kind of producer. Why? It's all because of what they do online. WillaKenzie Estate has one of the best designed homepages of any winery I have visited to date. On that single page, I connected to the wines, vineyards, and practices of this producer in ways unlike any other winery. Here is what you can learn using the interactive Flash elements on this homepage: &bull a bird's eye view pinpointing each vineyard location and the wine...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:18 PM | | Comments (2)

September 07, 2008

Next 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) It is nice to stumble upon an inexpensive bottle of Oregon pinot noir these days, considering how most seem to be in the $25 or higher price range. And it's even better when that inexpensive bottle delivers a decent wine experience. Such is the case with the Next 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, which I picked up at Metropolitan Market for $19. The Next Pinot Noir is one of a pair of high volume wines (the other a WA riesling) produced by King Estate out of Eugene, Oregon. Some designer worked hard to...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:37 PM | | Comments (2)

September 03, 2008

Elk Cove 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Lately, it seems a new wave of 2006 Oregon pinot noirs have been hitting the retail shelves, providing a nice assortment of wines to try with dinner. I suspect this may be due to the fact that the 2007 vintage is entering the channel, as many wineries need to make room for the upcoming 2008 harvest. I picked up a bottle of the Elk Cove 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley at Metropolitan Market recently, where it retailed for $29.99. We paired this pinot with grilled beef kebabs that included red onions and bell...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:20 PM | | Comments (2)

August 20, 2008

Looking for a good Oregon wine?

According to the Oregon Wine Board, there are 393 wineries and 792 vineyards in the state, most of which focus on Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. There are over 17,000 acres planted in Oregon, producing about 39,000 tons of grapes, which result in 1.7 million cases of wine. What makes Oregon unique relative to its northern and southern neighbors is the disproportionate number of smaller wineries, with most producing less than 5,000 cases of wine. The state has also distinguished itself by focusing on sustainability, with 23% of the vineyards certified sustainable, organic and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:43 PM |

August 14, 2008

Looking for a good Washington wine?

According to the Washington Wine Commission, our state is now home to over 540 wineries, producing wine from more than 20 varieties of grapes cultivated on over 31,000 acres of vineyards. This adds up to a lot of bottles, which represent an ever expanding selection of wine for the consumer. It is easy to become overwhelmed by it all, as evidenced by the confused and confounded faces I often see at the grocery or wine store. There is hope for those needing help in choosing a Washington wine that suits their personal taste, for there are several bloggers who...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:39 AM | | Comments (2)

August 12, 2008

Westrey 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With wild king salmon and fresh asparagus on the grill, I opened a bottle of Westrey 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) to see if this wine measured up to the billing it received on the back label: Westrey wines are styled to be mouth-filling and generous in a context of rich texture and balanced acidity. Winemakers Amy Wesselman and David Autrey craft distinctive wines while allowing each bottling to express its vineyards of origin. In keeping with the philosophy of minimal handling, this wine has been bottled unfiltered. For the salmon, Kari...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:33 PM | | Comments (1)

August 11, 2008

Erath 2006 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The Erath 2006 Pinot Blanc ($13) offers yet another addition to my growing list of delightful, inexpensive wines to enjoy this summer. We paired this pinot blanc with a simple meal of grilled chicken thighs, broccolini, and rice pilaf, while enjoying it as an aperitif beforehand. Overall, the Erath's balanced acidity and moderate alcohol (13.8%) offered a nice complement to the Caribbean-style chicken marinade. In fact, it clearly lived up to the promise of the back label, for it is pure fruit enjoyment as a result of being steel fermented: ...a crisp, dry...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:13 PM |

August 08, 2008

Wine Recommendations

Here is an expanding list of Oregon and Washington wines we have enjoyed while dining either at home, in a restaurant, at a winery, or in a wine bar. After experiencing each of these wines paired with a meal, I would definitely buy another bottle (or two) to serve again, even it means getting a more recent vintage. I hope you are able to experience the joy we got out of each of these wines at your table sometime soon. White Wine Recommendations Auxerrois Adelsheim Auxerrois Willamette Valley (2005) Adelsheim Auxerrois Willamette Valley (2008) Chardonnay Adelsheim Chardonnay Willamette Valley (2007)...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:31 AM | | Comments (2)

July 19, 2008

Hatcher 2004 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) For me, a good wine is measured not only by what is experienced inside the bottle, but also on the outside through labeling. Inside, the wine should delight the eyes, the nose, and the palate. Outside, the bottle's labeling should in some way connect me to the people and places behind the wine. Granted, it's not always that I expect a wine to fulfill expectations in both areas. There are many inexpensive wines that do well on the inside, but don't always have to deliver on the outside. However, my bar is set...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:52 AM | | Comments (2)

July 15, 2008

Syncline 2006 Celilo Vineyard Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) To their credit, Syncline describes their 2006 Celilo Vineyard Pinot Noir (13.8%) accurately on the back label, with the emphasis on "flavors of pie cherry". This wine does taste like one of those Dolly Madison cherry fruit pies. This is not my style in pinot noir, but I am excited to see a Washington producer taking a stab at this varietal with Columbia Gorge fruit. "Situated on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, Celilo Vineyard's deep volcanic soils are the origin of this provocative Pinot Noir. Intense perfume of black cherry and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:39 PM |

July 02, 2008

L'Ecole No 41 "Walla Voila" 2007 Chenin Blanc

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Whenever I stumble upon a bottle of Washington or Oregon wine that is made from a varietal that is off the beaten path, I will always buy it. No matter what the chance it might be poured down the drain, these wines are worth a try. Why? You just never know when one of these easily overlooked varietals might become a newly discovered favorite. Such is the case with the L'Ecole No 41 "Walla Voila" 2007 Chenin Blanc ($12.99), which was described on the back label in the following manner: A trademark of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:25 PM | | Comments (1)

June 29, 2008

Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl 2007 Riesling

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) After wondering if summer would ever get here, it came on strong this weekend in Seattle with temperatures yesterday in the high eighties and today hitting ninety degrees. For me, there is nothing better on a hot evening than enjoying spicy food washed down with a cold, crisp wine. Whenever dining on Asian fare, it is a Washington riesling that usually accompanies it. Tonight it was going to be Korean barbecue with a bottle of Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl 2007 Riesling ($12.99). Kari had a tri-tip steak marinating since Friday, which I...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:49 PM | | Comments (1)

June 28, 2008

Cottonwood 2004 Marina Piper Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The other night, Kari cooked up a batch of pappardelle pasta with beef ragu, which was made from a chuck roast slow cooked in a broth with wine and tomatoes. A fresh, red leaf lettuce salad tossed with sliced pink lady apples provided a colorful complement to the main dish. I was tempted to pull an Italian nebbiollo or sangiovese, but decided to try a bottle of the Cottonwood 2004 Marina Piper Pinot Noir ($26.99) from the Dundee Hills of Oregon. This was one of several '04 pinots from Oregon that had recently...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:39 PM |

June 21, 2008

Tertulia Cellars 2006 Viognier

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With pork chops and onions grilling, a pot of Spanish rice cooking, and fresh avocados ready to be sliced, I pulled from the refrigerator a bottle of Tertulia Cellars 2006 Viognier. This wine immediately reminded me of the visit I enjoyed at the Tertulia Cellars winery in Walla Walla last spring, which was where I purchased this bottle for $18. The Tertulia '06 Viognier (14%) is comprised of 76% viognier and 24% roussanne. Some of the viognier and all of the roussanne was sourced from the Lonesome Spring Ranch in the Yakima Valley...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:10 PM |

June 19, 2008

Maysara Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) During last week's visit to Tulsa, we enjoyed a taste of the Pacific Northwest with fresh Copper River sockeye salmon and Dungeness crab joined by a pair of Maysara 2006 wines, a pinot noir ($21.99) and a pinot gris ($16.99). Overall, the seafood was fantastic, while the wine fell a bit short. I grilled the salt and pepper seasoned sockeye on a plank of cedar along with a batch of fresh asparagus. It was joined by a filet of wild King salmon, which went straight on the grill. In addition, we had rice...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:40 PM |

June 13, 2008

Living On Tulsa Wine

This week, my wife, Kari, and our two daughters, are in Tulsa, visiting my mother, siblings and a lot of cousins. With Seattle colder than Siberia these days, this trip offers us an opportunity to get a jump start on summer time weather (it's 90 degrees with 100% humidity here). Whenever traveling out this way, we like to bring a taste of the Pacific Northwest with us, especially for my mom, Terry, who is from Oregon. But with luggage restrictions and security issues discouraging us to carry on seafood and wine, we decided to ship some Copper River salmon...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:53 AM |

June 10, 2008

Ponzi Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With this being an unusually cool and rainy spring in Seattle, we've started planning meals around the weather forecast so we can get outside and grill. So it was with the promise of good weather the next day, that Kari marinated a few thick pork chops in a brine that included garlic, peppercorns, and all spice seasoning. Fortunately, the forecast for decent weather came true, thus we were able to enjoy a grilled meal outside. Before cooking, we dried the chops and then rubbed them with a mix of brown sugar, cummin, cayenne...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:10 AM | | Comments (2)

June 08, 2008

Broadley Vineyards 2005 Bergstrom Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) If there is one Oregon pinot noir that has been imprinted in my memory, it is a bottle of Broadley Vineyards wine. It was a turning point for me, in that it was the first Oregon pinot noir that captivated me like no other wine before it. In May of 2006, we were celebrating the birthday of my father-in-law, Bob, by dining al fresco on a beautiful spring evening in Seattle. We enjoyed a grilled salmon dinner with a bottle of 2004 Claudia's Choice pinot noir. I will never forget that wine nor...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:13 AM |

June 07, 2008

Amity Vineyards 2006 Riesling Willamette Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) As part of my Northwest Palate prize, I received a bottle of the Amity 2006 Riesling. I was glad to get this bottle in the mixed case, as I really enjoy riesling, especially that produced in the Pacific Northwest. And I was really excited to try a bottle of Amity, a winery started in 1974 by one of Oregon's early wine pioneers, Myron Redford. Before opening the bottle, I was glad to see the approach Amity took in detailing the who, what and where of this wine on the back label. In fact,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:48 PM |

May 28, 2008

Syncline 2007 Rose Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Syncline describes their rosé as a "wine for warming up the grill, watching the sunset, or packing a picnic". Last night, we not only warmed up the grill, but cooked a delicious wild king salmon on it, which we enjoyed eating outside while a bright spring sun set slowly on the horizon. This dinner was extraordinary for several reasons. It's been a rare occasion when the weather has been warm and sunny enough to enjoy eating dinner al fresco. And with wild king salmon at $30 a pound, it has to be a special...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:25 PM |

May 14, 2008

Seven Hills 2006 Pinot Gris Oregon

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) One of the nice things about living in the Pacific Northwest is having access to a wide assortment of local wines. This access enables us to try new Washington and Oregon wines on a regular basis at our dinner table. It's a rare occasion when we repeat a bottle, for there are just too many new producers or new releases in our region to sample. However, there are dinners when a decent everyday wine is worth repeating. Such is the case with the Seven Hills 2006 Pinot Gris. At $15 retail, it is...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:11 PM |

May 13, 2008

Otis Kenyon 2005 Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Ever since several readers had recommended a visit to Otis Kenyon winery in Walla Walla, I have been eager to try one of their wines. It was rather fortuitous that I received a bottle of Otis Kenyon 2005 Syrah (14.3%) in the mixed case prize from Northwest Palate a few months back. With some steaks to grill, I thought it was an opportune time to pull the Otis Kenyon from the cellar and give it a try. Our dinner consisted of grilled tri-tips with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, and twice baked potatoes....

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:45 PM |

May 12, 2008

Fort Walla Walla Cellars 2003 Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last July, I paid a visit to the downtown tasting room of Fort Walla Walla Cellars, where I ended up having a memorable experience sampling their wines and learning more about this winery (read the review here). After tasting their wines, I decided to purchase a bottle of the Fort Walla Walla Cellars 2003 Syrah Walla Walla Valley (13.8%). It's too bad I didn't purchase more than one bottle of this wine, for it was a terrific syrah. We paired the Fort Walla Walla Cellars syrah with an Italian sausage and white bean...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:57 AM | | Comments (2)

May 11, 2008

Fidelitas 2005 m100 Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I love a wine with a good story behind it, especially when it is shared directly on the bottle's label. There is nothing more effective at connecting you to the people and places behind a wine than a label that shares something about the who, what and/or where. I found this and more in the Fidelitas 2005 m100 Columbia Valley ($20), a bottle given to me by my father-in-law, Bob (a.k.a., Pappa Rosso). What immediately captivated me about this wine was the winemaker notes on the bottle's back label: Let’s raise a glass...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:56 PM |

May 10, 2008

Mixing things up with dinner

Any regular reader of BeyondtheBottle.com might surmise that only Washington or Oregon wine is served at our table. This is true for many nights of the week, but not every dinner is matched to a local wine. In fact, there is an occasional week when no Pacific Northwest wine is poured, allowing us to mix things up and experience varietals from other regions and countries. So, what do we enjoy when it's not an Oregon or Washington wine? Recently, we've been drinking wines from Italy, Spain, France, Argentina and New Zealand. From Italy, we enjoy dolcetto, barbera, and nebbiolo from...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:00 PM |

May 03, 2008

Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir: 1997 vs. 2004

While on a trip to the Oregon coast eight years ago, Kari and I spent a day visiting wineries in the northern Willamette Valley. It was our first trip to Oregon pinot noir country and to be honest I came away unimpressed with the wines. Looking back, I know why this was the case, for it was in that year, 2000, that I was fully immersed in full-bodied, high octane wines such as California zinfandels, Australian shiraz and Washington syrah, just to name a few. On that fateful trip, I purchased a bottle of Argyle 1997 Nuthouse Pinot Noir...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:48 PM |

April 30, 2008

WIDWD: Apolloni 2005 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Here's a Willamette Valley wine that probably wasn't the best match with the grilled pork loin, fennel and asparagus meal we prepared with a rice pilaf on the side. I decided on a pinot noir to go with this meal, but paid no attention to the back label of the Apolloni 2005 Pinot Noir (13.7%). If I had, then I might have put it aside for another style of Oregon wine. Why? The bottle states that this wine "greets you with toasted vanilla and berries then opens up with black cherry, dark fruit...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:26 AM |

April 29, 2008

WIDWD: Boedecker Cellars 2004 Athena Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) While shopping for wine, I am always on the lookout for any 2004 or 2005 Oregon pinot noirs that I have yet to try. Such was the case with the Boedecker Cellars 2004 Athena Pinot Noir (13.9%), a wine I discovered at Esquin Wine Merchants a few weeks back. Unfortunately, I recall little after having this wine with dinner, while forgetting the meal entirely. Goes to show the downside of forgetting to write anything down. I guess it was due to being somewhat neutral on this wine. The label describes the wine as,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:56 AM | | Comments (2)

April 28, 2008

WIDWD: Six Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) This Oregon pinot noir is crafted by Lemelson Vineyards based in Carlton. Other than the suggestive brand, "Six Vineyards", and the note on the producer, no other details are provided as to what went into this wine. In fact, I checked the Lemelson web site and nothing is available on this or previous vintages. What gives?!?! Regardless, one thing is clear, this is a wine that was surprisingly good relative to its price point of $21.99. Kari and I really enjoyed the Six Vineyards Pinot Noir (13.5%) with our grilled Jamaican jerk chicken...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:48 AM |

April 27, 2008

WIDWD: Francis Tannahill 2004 The Hermit Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) More often than not, it is a bottle of Oregon pinot noir that graces our dinner table each evening. My wife, Kari, and I have a preference for the style Oregon viticulturists and winemakers bring to crafting pinot noir, preferring them over their California and French counterparts. We like the expressive yet elegant style that Oregon pinot brings, as these wines tend to be more fruit-forward than the Old World style yet not over-ripe like California pinots can get. While enjoying a number of Oregon pinot noirs these last couple of weeks, there...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:25 PM |

April 19, 2008

WIDWD: A Few That Fell Short

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) As I have stated before, there's no joy in writing about wines that don't meet the bar, or better put, make it to my table. Which is why commenting on these wines gets put off, while more favorable experiences take priority. To make this easier on both of us, I will keep this brief, as I would rather invest time and energy in writing about the positive. The tasting notes for the Hedges 2006 CMS Red Wine (13.7%) were honest in describing the wine with a "sweet, round entry, ripe darker fruit, and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:52 PM |

March 23, 2008

WIDWD: A Pair of Evesham Woods

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With each of bottle of Evesham Wood wine enjoyed at our table, I am becoming a more devout fan of this Oregon producer. Back in October, I opened an Evesham Wood 2006 Pinot Noir and was quickly taken with this wine along with their story. So it was with some anticipation that I opened two bottles of Evesham Wood during the week, a 2005 Le Putis Sec Pinot Noir and a 2006 Blanc du Puits Sec Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer. Both wines are comprised of fruit from Evesham Wood's estate vineyard, Le Puits Sec, which is...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:13 PM |

March 22, 2008

WIDWD: Caramba Carabella!

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) A couple of weeks back, Kari prepared a wonderful dish of slow cooked chicken thighs in chipotle sauce, which were served with steaming tortillas along with fresh tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. I decided to pair the meal with a Carabella 2005 Pinot Noir (14.2%), a bottle we had enjoyed very much while dining at Tilth restaurant. The Carabella is a full bodied pinot noir and matched very well with the spicy chicken. The '05 Carabella is made of five pinot noir clones sourced from their 27 acre estate vineyard, which is located in...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:06 PM | | Comments (1)

March 16, 2008

WIDWD: Wines That Didn't Make It To The Table

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) There's a saying, "life is too short to drink bad wine". Over the last week, life started to seem way too short, as there were several white wines that never made it to our table. Instead, each one ended up getting tossed down the drain. It was strange to have gotten three strikes in one week on these wines, all of which came from Oregon and Washington. If I open a bottle that is corked, tainted with Brett or has some other fault, then I will seal it back up and return it to...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:40 PM | | Comments (1)

March 12, 2008

WIDWD: Cooper Mountain 2003 Reserve Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last Saturday night, we were entertaining my brother-in-law, Kris, who was visiting from London. Kari cooked up a big batch of pasta all’ amatriciana (tomato-based sauce with pancetta) along with a leaf lettuce salad in an olive oil and wine vinegar dressing. To accompany the meal, we served a bottle of wine that Kris's mother had brought us a while back, a Cooper Mountain 2003 Estate Pinot Noir. It offered a pleasant surprise for Kris to learn that the wine in his glass was a gift from his mother. The Cooper Mountain pinot...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:02 PM | | Comments (2)

March 06, 2008

WIDWD: Seven Hills 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I am becoming a big fan of Walla Walla Valley fruit. Red or white, I enjoy the flavors, the acidity, and many times the lower alcohol in wines sourced from this valley. I have become especially fond of cabernet sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, with Pepper Bridge and Amavi being two of my favorite Washington cabs. While shopping at Esquin Wine Merchants a few weeks back, I picked up a bottle of Seven Hills 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard for $31.95. Last Saturday night, we grilled a couple of fillets along with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:55 PM |

March 02, 2008

WIDWD: King Estate 2006 Domaine Pinot Gris

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last Wednesday night, I came home from work and could immediately smell these wonderful aromas emitting from the kitchen. As soon as I spotted the stove, I saw Kari's red Le Creuset, a pot that always brings incredibly delicious, slow cooked meals to our table. Tonight's dinner was a pork shoulder roast braised in olive oil and garlic and then slow cooked for a couple of hours in chicken broth and white wine. I couldn't wait to sit down and celebrate this meal! The wine used with the pork? A King Estate 2006...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:02 PM |

February 22, 2008

WIDWD: St. Innocent 2005 Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) When buying wine at retail, I frequently shop at Esquin Wine Merchants, where one of the better selections of Oregon wines can be found here in Seattle. A while back I was in the pinot noir aisle when Jerry appeared to help me out with my shopping. Jerry, who retired from Esquin last December, has played a key role in steering me to new discoveries over the years, with this shopping trip being no exception. After asking Jerry what was drinking well in the 2005 Oregon pinot noir line up, he promptly reached...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:44 PM |

February 06, 2008

Winning Wine

Last week I received an email from the folks at Northwest Palate magazine, informing me that I had won a prize drawing for completing their annual reader survey. The prize? A mixed case of Pacific Northwest wine, which arrived at my doorstep today. Besides the thrill of actually winning something, I was even more excited about getting a case of wine. But what made this even more exciting was not knowing what wine I had won. Seeing the box, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning who couldn't wait to tear open my gift. Here's what was inside: •...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:39 PM | | Comments (4)

February 03, 2008

WIDWD: L'Ecole Nº 41 2002 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Boy, did this L'Ecole Nº 41 wine live up to its label, which states, "The fruit for our Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah was harvested ultra-ripe, resulting in a dark, massive and dense wine." It certainly was a big, extracted wine with dark cherry fruit, providing a hearty wine on a cold winter night. Even still, it paired well with the grilled filet mignon we had last night with roasted fennel, red onions and carrots along with onion rings. The kosher salt and ground pepper seasoned free range beef was served with a chipotle...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:32 PM |

January 20, 2008

WIDWD: 2005 Natalie's Estate Winery Elton Vineyards Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Whenever I discover a standout wine with a meal, it's hard not to remember what I had to eat and what the evening was like for days, if not weeks afterward. However, the exact opposite occurs when the wine just doesn't meet the bar. It's almost as if the disappointment with the wine is what prompts me to forget the entire experience. Such was the case with the 2005 Natalie's Estate Winery Elton Vineyards Pinot Noir (14% alcohol) we popped last week. I put off writing about this wine for almost a week,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:32 PM | | Comments (1)

January 16, 2008

WIDWD: 2004 Alexandria Nicole Block 17 Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I am ready to proclaim January as Washington state syrah month at our dinner table. With the short cold days and even colder evenings, this month encourages heavy meals and hearty wines. After a few bone chilling nights celebrating a warm dinner, I am re-discovering the virtues of drinking Washington syrah during this time of year. Such was the case a few cold, clear nights ago when we opened another bottle of syrah from our home state to go with a grilled flank steak dinner. The choice to pair with the steak? A...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:58 PM |

December 29, 2007

WIDWD: Christmas Dinner

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) If I were to choose my favorite holiday meal, then it would be Christmas dinner. I enjoy Thanksgiving for the opportunity to be with family and friends, but this large gathering usually generates a smorgasbord of wines, few of which end up being standouts next to a turkey buffet. On the other hand, I appreciate how Christmas dinner offers a much better opportunity to match the food with a few good bottles of wine. And it's usually an occasion to pull some of the older wines off the rack and give them a try....

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:24 PM |

December 26, 2007

WIDWD: 2005 Adelsheim Willamette Valley Auxerrois

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) For Christmas Eve dinner, it's a tradition at our table to serve chopped salad, making meal time a bit easier on a day filled with various activities. Kari's version is crafted with a multitude of ingredients including salami, chicken, provolone, mozzarella, basil, garbanzo beans, green onions, iceburg lettuce, and a wonderful vinaigrette dressing that brings it all together into a fantastic meal. To pair with this dish, I chose a 2005 Adelsheim Willamette Valley Auxerrois and a 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Riesling. Before dinner, we popped a 2002 Argyle Sparkling Wine,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:15 PM |

WIDWD: 2005 Erath Pinot Noir Estate Selection Dundee Hills

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last Sunday evening, Kari warmed up a Greek stew she had made a couple of days before that had been "resting" in our fridge for the weekend. It was yet another incredible slow cooked dish made in our red Le Creuset, a French oven that seems to create magical meals regardless of what ingredients Kari combines in it. Kari's parents were joining us for this meal which was kicking off the Christmas holiday weekend. I decided to pair the stew with a 2005 Erath Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Estate Selection, a wine that...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:48 AM |

December 05, 2007

WIDWD: Argyle '02 Brut and '05 Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I love duck. It's one of my favorite dishes, whether dining out or eating in. My wife, Kari, prepares a superb duck, searing it on the stove top to crisp the skin, finishing in the oven to a medium rare consistency, and then crafting a sauce that brings it all together. The other night Kari surprised me with a waterfowl dinner, which put me on a hunt in the cellar for an Oregon pinot noir. I was starting to come down with a cold, therefore wasn't sure if I should go big time...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:03 AM |

November 26, 2007

WIDWD: Walla Walla Thanksgiving Weekend

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) For the last five years, my wife's parents have hosted Thanksgiving dinner in Walla Walla. It has become an annual tradition to bring both sides of our family together to celebrate and give thanks, making this holiday a truly unique occasion. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and friends from both clans have come from near and far each year for this special gathering. As a result, an extraordinary bond has been established over the years between our respective parents and siblings. This year's Thanksgiving was yet another fun celebration, although it went by far too...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:04 AM |

October 31, 2007

WIDWD: Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With teriyaki chicken thighs on the grill and chow mien noodles (with egg, shaved carrots and green onions) sautéing on the stove last night, I opened a bottle of Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling Columbia Valley to pair with our spicy Asian meal. Not only did this wine complement our food, but it just about stole the show, as I enjoyed it so much. I absolutely love this wine and can't wait to have another glass tonight. It has a beautiful, floral bouquet and the initial taste brings to mind fresh, summer...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:04 PM |

October 30, 2007

WIDWD: Brian Carter Cellars 2004 Tuttorosso Yakima Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) After several delicious dinners paired with less than inspiring Washington wines last week, I was starting to feel like the Rockies in their World Series struggle against the Red Sox. Although the Rockies were swept in four games, I had more bottles of Washington wine to try even after going 0-4. I couldn't have asked for a better way to get out of this wine slump than opening a Brian Carter Cellars 2004 Tuttorosso Yakima Valley. It was an absolutely fantastic wine. We opened the Tuttorosso last night while celebrating a friend's birthday...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:05 AM | | Comments (2)

October 27, 2007

WIDWD: Sapolil 2003 Syrah Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) While enjoying a grilled flank steak with a bottle of Syncline Subduction Red wine on Thursday night, I decided to open the Sapolil 2003 Syrah Columbia Valley as well. The bottle, given to me earlier in the year, had been on my cellar shelf for some time, with obvious marks indicating an attempt at opening. You see, I had tried opening it once before, but the wax dipped top was like a chastity belt; a very cumbersome, if not dangerous, packaging option which I abhor with any bottle capped in this manner. The...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:58 AM |

October 26, 2007

WIDWD: Syncline 2006 Subduction Red Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) This week in Seattle has been interesting weather wise. We went from summer-like temps on Tuesday to cold, rainy fall weather on Wednesday, and then back to sun, but this time cold temps on Thursday. With the break in the weather last night, we fired up the grill and cooked a flank steak that had been marinating the last 2 days in anticipation of good weather. Kari marinates the steak in a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chile oil, brown sugar, and fresh shaved ginger. The more it marinates, the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:35 PM |

October 24, 2007

WIDWD: J Christopher 2005 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) After several weeks of cold rainy weather, we got a nice surprise with a pristine summer-like day yesterday with clear skies, warm breezes, and a late afternoon temperature around 70 degrees. Kari went to the market and picked up a fresh whole chicken, ingredients for a Greek salad, some Greek yogurt and pita bread. With a beautiful summer-like day gifted to us, we were going to live as if it were still August: roasting a chicken on the grill, accompanying it with Greek side dishes, and dining al fresco during sunset. To complement...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:23 PM |

October 22, 2007

WIDWD: Evesham Wood 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) It's becoming rare these days to find a bottle of Oregon pinot noir under $20 that stands out not only in terms of taste but also in its ability to connect you to the people and places producing it. Such is the story with the Evesham Wood 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13% alcohol), a delicious wine with a terrific story. This young pinot noir retails for $18.95 and would offer a wonderful complement to any meal. We popped a bottle last night to accompany grilled pork chops and had the remainder tonight...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:05 PM |

October 20, 2007

WIDWD: RiverAerie 2005 Sangiovese Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Spaghetti alla carbonara is one of my favorite Italian dishes and no one makes it better than my wife, Kari. She crafts this wonderful comfort food in the traditional way, as opposed to the cream-based dish found in most Italian-American restaurants. Kari's carbonara starts with diced onions sauteed in oil and white wine, while another pan fries up the pancetta which has been sliced into small pieces. After cooking these ingredients, they are set aside as the spaghetti is prepared. Once the pasta is cooked al dente, she drains it and then adds...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:10 PM | | Comments (2)

October 18, 2007

WIDWD: Chinook 2005 Cabernet Franc Yakima Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last night, I arrived home from Portland right at dinnertime. Kari, my wife, had everything ready to cook, with a couple of beef tenderloin steaks reaching room temperature and seasoned rice in the steam cooker. Even with rain threatening, we decided to grill the steaks, which ended up being the right call as the rain held off and the beef tasted much better cooked outside. Kari also prepared a beautiful fresh arugala salad topped with shaved parmigiano reggiano cheese, sliced vine ripe tomatoes, and dressed with olive oil and vinegar. My in-laws, Bob...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:27 PM | | Comments (2)

October 05, 2007

WIDWD: Amavi 2006 Sémillon Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last night, my wife crafted a delightful linguine alle vongole (pasta with fresh clams) which I paired with the Amavi 2006 Sémillon Columbia Valley. The wine was a delicious complement to both the seafood and our red leaf lettuce salad with fresh radishes. The sémillon had a nice floral nose, crisp pear/citrus and mineral notes in the mouth, and a balanced creaminess from the oak. I can't wait to have another glass of this superb wine tonight. The Amavi sémillon reminded me why I enjoy Washington white wines so much (maybe more than...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:18 AM |

October 04, 2007

WIDWD: Novelty Hill 2004 Red Wine

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last night my wife prepared a wonderful dinner that included pork shoulder slow cooked in an amazing tomatillo sauce served over basmati rice and garnished with shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. After tasting a spoonful of the sauce, I headed down to the cellar and started looking around for a bottle that would complement the meal. As I was searching around for a tempranillo or garnacha, I happened to pull out a bottle of Novelty Hill 2004 Red Wine. I remembered purchasing this bottle when visiting Novelty Hill a couple of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:09 AM |

October 02, 2007

WIDWD: Andrew Rich 2005 Pinot Noir Cuvée B

This is the inaugural post of What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD), a regular feature to share the local wines enjoyed at my table during the previous night's meal. With a break in the rain yesterday, my wife and I decided to fire up the grill and cook a steak dinner. I was in charge of grilling the filets while my wife oversaw cooking the caramelized onions, pommes frites and tossing a red leaf lettuce salad with apple wedges. I chose the Andrew Rich 2005 Pinot Noir Cuvée B. Here's the description of the 2005 Pinot Noir Cuvée B...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:59 AM | | Comments (4)

October 01, 2007

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD)

Every night, my wife crafts a wonderful dinner while I do my best to choose a wine to complement it. It's a role I clearly relish, for there is nothing that makes a meal more enjoyable than matching her cooking with the right bottle of wine. Fortunately for us, we live in a region where grapes are abundant and wine is plentiful, thus making us a bit spoiled in terms of readily pairing our meals with a wine from Washington or Oregon. Even still, there are times when our dinner calls for a wine from outside our region, therefore we...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:49 PM | | Comments (2)

June 13, 2007

Wine Blogging Wednesday: Washington Cabernet

Would you like to learn more about Washington cabernet from folks around the world? Are you interested in sharing your experience drinking Washington cabernet with others online? Are there stories about a Washington cabernet that go beyond the bottle worth sharing? If so, then I encourage you to participate in today's Wine Blogging Wednesday event, which is being hosted by Cattie of Through the Walla Walla Grape Vine. As host, Cattie will post contributing blogs and their links on her site, which will hopefully build into a useful collection of tastings, experiences, and stories about Washington cabernet. Even if you're...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:23 AM |

June 01, 2007

Wine Finesse

Eric Asimov of The Pour has posted an interesting commentary entitled, A Plea for Finesse, which once again confirms why I think he's one of the better wine critics/bloggers out there. Like Eric, I find it a rare occasion where I am able to enjoy a high alcohol wine with a meal. In fact, many of the big fruit bomb cabs or syrahs from Washington are more enjoyable as dessert wines or merely as cocktail wines. Even with high alcohol pinot noir from Oregon, I avoid them altogether, regardless how balanced they might taste. Unfortunately, both states produce some white...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:23 PM |


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