2007 Rascal Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (Great Oregon Wine Company) 13.0% alcohol
I was intrigued by the fact that Michael Dietrich was touting a 6.99 (or in this case, purchased for 7.99 in an upscale Lake Oswego grocery store) Oregon Pinot Noir. By coincidence, a few hours after reading Michael’s note, I was buying some 4th of July supplies and I happen to see the wine case stacked at the grocery store. Just popped it open to give it a whirl.
Nice pale ruby color. You can definitely read your tasting notes through the nice washed out color of this wine.
Aromas of tart, stemmy red cherries. A bit of briary raspberry as well. It definitely smells like Pinot Noir. So far so good.
Big time acidity. Really juicy stuff this Rascal. Tart, muddy red cherry flavor and not much more. Finish is a bit abrupt. I would throw this in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes and then grab a blanket and head happily to an outdoor concert with this wine.
Overall, I think Michael D. hit it on the nose. It smells like Pinot Noir, it tastes like Pinot Noir and it ain’t too bad. What more could you ask for in this price range? Restaurants in the area would be fools not be including this on their wine list. I would happily pay 15.00 to 17.00 in such a setting. And if I had a customer looking for multiple cases of reasonably priced wine for a large party I wouldn’t have any problem recommending this wine. It’s simple but it is honest and well-priced. I am now going to grab a bottle of the Rascal Pinot Gris to try.
I’m guessing you saw that this is from Stone Wolf. Do you still have that big bottle in the shop?
Yes I do. And probably always will.
I am going to guess that we will be seeing many more bottlings like this from 2007. Maybe not quite this low of price but certainly under $10. Supposedly, there is lots of 2007 juice out there to be had.
Which upscale LO grocery store would that be?
I found Berserkers recently and must say, I like it here ! Might be a cool place to read and share wine, without some of the squabbles that have invaded parts of the internet of late.
So, Rascal has started hitting the portland area stores this last week and it’s been fun to watch as folks begin to taste and talk.
We had a few goals in mind when we created this wine, that was to find a way to bring sound, varietal correct Oregon wines to market at a price point for all. We have found that often times, many consumers, in particular those just beginning the journey into this wonderful grapejuice world of ours, are priced out of the market for Oregon… lets face it, given the economy and the effects on most of us over the last year, we can all use a break and finding a bargain has become “hip” again (you now can all tell my age). An analogy I used not too long ago, was in these times it’s not about carrying our Prada bag but rather calling all our gal pals and letting them in on the hottest new sales and deals. Kinda of like Rascal
One of the other priorities was to make people “feel good” when they looked at the label, and again when they tasted the wine. Even though it’s a “critter label”, who can look at the golden retriever with the halo and not think of a red dog, that at some time, was the one wearing the lampshade at the party, or laying on top of the shoe he just ate, and innocently looking at you - as if to say, “Who me ? nope, I haven’t even seen that shoe you think I ate”.
The wines are all from the Willamette Valley appelation, and we hope that shows in the wines. Pinot Noir is of course a very difficult grape to work with, however, we think we found a wine that most will find pleasing with this blend. The Pinot Gris is made in stainless, slow cool ferment allowing the aromas to come thru. It’s in the alsatian style, off dry and like the pinot noir, a great food wine.
Anyway, keep trying new wines, there is a wine for everyone out there !
Linda
PS, Michael, what BIG bottle do you have ?
Hi Linda! It is a big ol’ (9L?) bottle of your 2002 Pinot Noir. It has a wolf’s head painted on it by a local artist. My parents successfully bid for it at an auction at Bob Pamplin’s place. It has followed me ever since. From Portland to Chicago to Champaign-Urbana and back to Portland. I keep waiting for a good idea to strike me about what to do with it. And, more importantly, what kind of sling I’m going to need to construct to pour it!
Hi Linda-
I’m relatively new here as well, but glad you found your way over.
Redwinger