Wines From Other Parts
August, 2008
oregon, washington & rest of North AMerica
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July 21, 2008
Embarrassing how long since an entry on this page.
Here are two Pinots I like a whole lot for different reasons. BROOKS Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2005 ($25) is an exceptional, superb quality "value Pinot." It chants, doesn't scream, Oregon Pinot. Flavors of summer red cherries, bright red pomegranate seeds, kiss of soil, Italian herbs and a smidge of oak are expressive, balanced and perfect. Get ye to the grilled salmon! Better pick up at least two bottles.
BEAUX FRÈRES Pinot Noir "The Upper Terrace-Ribbon Ridge"
2006 ($90) is very ripe and quite un-Oregon-like. Classicists best stay away as this wine offers up dark jammy fruits, coffee, glycerine, toasty barrel, large mouth presence and great robustness (what do you mean that's not a word?). The sales manager for Beaux Frères is an old friend, and we seem to be in agreement: not a classic Beaux Frères Pinot, and not of the style the winery most prefers. But boy it sure is good right now! Good to have a super-showy vintage like this every so often.
March 21, 2008
Second vintage in a row that we've carried the WOODWARD CANYON Cabernet Sauvignon "Artist Series #14" Columbia Valley 2005 ($47). The darn price keeps creeping up each vintage, but darn it, it's still so good and a value at that. Woodward Canyon's best efforts, like this, boast deep, brooding fruit, woodsmoke, licorice, mexican spicy chocolate, vanilla and just the right amount of bittersweet sensations to make it interesting. This big Cab can certainly use 1 to 2 years' time to come around. Otherwise, decant decant decant.
March 9, 2008
The Sparkling Wines of Gruet are back. Classic Methode Champenoise bubbles from New Mexico. If you haven't had the Gruet sparklings before, it's understandable that you think this a stretch. If yoiu have enjoyed these wines, you know. GRUET Sparkling Wine Brut Rosé ($16) is my favorite. Rosy hued and the essence of raspberry and cranberry, it is pretty, smooth. GRUET Sparkling Wine Brut ($16) has a sherried note that comes from more time on the lees in the bottle. It's nice for the style that it is. I prefer the freshness of the pink and the next one. GRUET Sparkling Wine Demi-Sec ($16) is super-delicious. Barely off dry, if it was called Brut I'd believe it. Yummy fresh peaches and pears distinguishes the Demi Sec. To me, this is the best house sparkling wine you can find in the world.
January 14, 2008
CADMUS Pinot Noir Oregon 2006 ($33) by Quercus Wines. It's a gem: fruity and pretty and so nicely balanced in flavor and texture. Quercus wines are owned and made by Michael Beckley, a gentleman I have not met but seems very cool to me. Learning by living, he took to wine in Sonoma County before moving to the Willamette Valley in the 1980's. With years of winemaking experience under his belt, he started his own brand, Quercus (which is the species of oak used to make wine barrels). The Cadmus Pinot Noir is his top-of-the line.
We tasted this wine last week and immediately took to it. Cherry preserves, raspberry coulis and subtle red rose notes, all packed into a nicely fleshy wine, makes for a delicious Pinot Noir that is ready to enjoy now (surprising for such a young Willamette Valley Pinot...and yes it's all Willamette, even though the bottle says Oregon). Tomato dishes, pork roasts and lighter beef dishes are recommended here along with the duck and salmon of course.
December 20, 2007 (By Ryan Graham)
BROOKS Riesling Willamette Valley 2005 ($16) we find to be lip smackin' good. Crafted from old vines in the Willamette Valley, the wine has complex aromas of minerals, wet stones, honey, citrus, and white flowers. With air, more complex aromas of slate, lime, quince, chestnuts and white peaches emerge. The mouth watering acidity really quenches the palate, and this is definitely another wine that pairs well with food, as well as being enjoyable all on its own. Classic Riesling food matches come to mind here; spicy foods, exotic foods, and white fish. 493 cases produced.
November 12, 2007
SOTER Pinot Noir "Beacon Hill" Yamhill-Carlton District 2005 ($48). The man with the golden Pinot Noir touch is firmly entrenched in Oregon, setting the standard for quality in the Willamette Valley. We're diggin' his "Beacon Hill," the first single vineyard Pinot he produced. This is a wine of structure and age-ability. That written, a good decanting and plenty of swirling makes for a tasty drink anytime. Moderate oak influence allows classic Pinot flavors of red rose, baby powder, cigar box, black truffle and dry wild herbs merge with ample wild cherry, red currant, blueberry and cranberry. Powerful Pinot here that can match with roast pork, tender beef and (of course) duck and salmon. If asked how long to cellar for optimum drinking, we'd say 2010 or 11.
September 23, 2007
In the inky-dinky, designer wine department comes LE CADEAU Pinot Noir "Côte Est" Willamette Valley 2005 ($47/bottle). Le Cadeau ownes ten acres in the heart of Willamette Valley and have separated the lots into unique sections. "Côte Est" lies on rich soil, and the plump, juicy, wild cherry flavors make sense. Berry jam, smokey meat, black olive and musk flavors dance about. This bigger Pinot Noir is on the tight side on the finish. Give it until 2010 for optimum drinking we think. If you do, should be 
a rock star with pan seared, roast duck breast!
July 28, 2007
ANDREW WILL "SORELLA" Horse Heaven Hills Washington 2004 ($72/bottle) is Owner/Winemaker Chris Camarda's super Bordeaux-style blend that usually is his best wine. This is all "Champoux Vineyard" fruit, Columbia Valley. Equal parts Cab Sauv and Cab Franc than in Sorella at just over 1/3rd each. Merlot and Petite Verdot make up the other third. We poured this wine at our Washington tasting in late June, and it wasn't ready. The Cab Franc came out too much...lot of pepper and some of it green. I'm sure that come Holiday 2008 that this wine will be silky, juicy and strong-stronger than it shows today. This is special wine very much in a gorgeous Bordeaux style that will reward a little cellar time.
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