So I’m a glutton for punishment. Once again I will taste 10 wines in 50 minutes, getting five minutes per wine to listen, sniff, evaluate and write about each one.
First winery to pour is Maryhill Winery. twitter hashtag @maryhillwinery. 2008 Zinfandel, 4700 cases produced. Nice nose, slightly tannic, not a fruit bomb. Sells for $16.99.
The second winery is J. Christopher from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Jay Somers established the winery in 1996. 2010 Pinot Noir. Very deep color for a Pinot. Complex, not a typical Pinot. Somers established a relationship with Dr. Loosen. $30, it’s worth a spin.
Archery Summit Premiere Cuvée Pinot Noir blend from all five vineyards. 2010 vintage. 1st winery in Oregon to have a 100% gravity flow facility. Smoky nose, great balance, bright acids. Part of the Dundee Hills AVA. Sells for $48. Fermented in oak and stainless, aged in 35% new French oak.
Cornerstone/Stepping Stone Winery from Napa pouring their 2009 Oregon Pinot Noir. Winemaker doesn’t believe Pinot and Cabernet grapes should grow in proximity to each other. A blend from five different vineyards. $50 – beautifully balanced, wonderful mouthfeel. 14 months in oak. Silky and elegant. Cornerstone makes wine in Napa and in Oregon.
Portuguese winery, Quatro Castas, meansfour grapes. Herdades Do Esporã0. Aragonez, Tinta Miuda, Tinta Caida and Alfrocheiro. Let’s just say I like this wine. Big nose. Chewy mouthfeel. $17. Wow, I really like this wine!
Decibel Wines comes to our Table. A Marlborough Pinot Noir from New Zealand, 2010 vintage. Retails for $28. Very limited production, 100 cases. Not a very expressive nose, a little out of balance for me. I think a little more aging may help.
From New Zealand we head to Spain. Tapeña Wine 2011 Garnacha with 5% Tempranillo. Tapeña means tapas and friends. Love the nose, very fruit forward but not sweet. 13% alcohol. I love bargains and this is definitely a bargain at $10. Look for this one, it won’t disappoint.
Willamette Valley Vineyards is pouring a 2009 Estate Pinot Noir They grow sustainably and use bio-diesel fuel. Natural cork and they recycle their corks. Retails for $45. Just a beautiful wine. Pretty nose, great mouthfeel, finish that lingers. Lots of technical data on back label. Not cheap, but I think it’s priced appropriately.
Sokol Blosser started in 1971. I had the pleasure of visiting the winery last night. “Pinot is our passion.” Non vintage Elevation Red. Syrah based with 12 other varietals. $18 and I think it’s just a really approachable, food friendly. Well balanced, nice fruit, but again not sweet. A winner as far as I’m concerned.
2009 Tendril Wine Cellars White Label Pinot Noir is our final wine. Owner/winemaker Tony Rynders is pouring for us and telling us about the winery. Ultra small 400 cases production. 15 months in French oak, 40% new. $48. Very fruit driven and a finish that goes on and on. Nice way to wrap up our live wine blogging. Cheers!