Oregon Trip Day 1 & 2

WINE TALK
1

Quick summary

  1. Thank you Jim @ Patricia Green Cellars, and Doug @ Brickhouse… Both were awesome guys, and the wines were great too.

  2. 2008 Pinots - WOW. I think it’s fantastic. 2006 is heavy alcohol/fruit, 2007 tastes a bit thin for my liking, but has the finesse. 2008… best of 2006/2007 combined. yumyum

  3. Highway 99… as Bob Wood says. avoid like plague… i was on it for about 0.4 mile… which is WAY too long. :frowning:
    (trying to get to dundee bistro for lunch)

  4. Joel Palmer House - had a great lobster mushroom bisque… scallops were great. a polish bigos pasta - yummy. a rubbed duck - WAY oversalted, probably a mistake. A pork tenderloin - just ok.

Dundee Bistro - Truffle fries yummy. Pizza - just ok. i liked the pizza at Ken’s Artisan Pizza in Portland better.

  1. Did i say i love the 2008 vintage? can’t wait for all of them to be bottled.

More notes of wines tasted to come…
flirtysmile

Day 2:
First - Thank you Brian @Belle Pente!

Started at Soter - It was alright until Tony Soter came in, and talked to us about his history in Napa (he started Etude), and his move to Oregon etc… it became much longer/more interesting then. I got notes but on my phone, to be copied later.

Next to Belle Pente - Thank you Brian. It was a great experience. A fellow taster couldn’t stop eating the table grapes growing next to the house. :slight_smile:

Quite a delicious line up, especially liked the Riesling which I thought had nice apple/pear/melon aromatics but still the acidity to back it. yum. The Estate reserve pinot was excellent. 2008 not ready yet which was too bad

Had lunch at Cuvee - nice little spot… clean, nice environment.

Afternoon - went to Archery Summitt - Thank you Chris Hayes and Reid Oliver! It was quite busy there, but we got in and had some excellent wine. I liked the premier cuvee… for $34 bucks, the 2006 cuvee was a good deal I think.
Not sure if the Arcus is worth $100, same as the Estate for $150. I mean wow that’s a pricy pricy pinot… It was good, but a bit oaky, and I can’t drink wine that cost that much :frowning:
Had Red Hills, yummy. Renegade, not bad, pretty delicious too. Had a 2003 Looney which was quite nice. Makes me wonder if 3-5 years will do all of these wine some good, as most 2006/2007 were quite tannic.

Finally ended at Domaine Drouhin. Since we were pretty told on here to avoid Serene… :slight_smile:
First the property is gorgeous… amazing views on the deck.
The wine was just ok. also very tannic. Nice nose, but a bit overwhelming with oak/tannins on the palate.
The entry level Williamette Valley for $45 is a bit expensive. The Laurene was good but again for $65, i’m not sure is ‘worth’ the price? i guess for some it’s ok. I rather have $30-35 good bottles :slight_smile:

Tomorrow - gonna go to Eola hills to visit the wineries there, probably hit Stoller on the way back to Portland.
more to come.

2

'08 Oregon Pinot = The Real Deal… very exciting vintage for sure!

3

Jim and Doug are great guys. I never get to spend much time with them, as I only get up there for thanksgiving weekend(when they are swamped). Two of the best producers in the valley, IMO. Can’t wait to try the 08’s.

4

I’m down here as well. Hit Antica Terra today.

Tomorrow: Scott Paul, Seven of Hearts, Belle Pente, Ayres, and Brick House. My poor liver.

Maybe we’ll see you out there on the trail.

By the way, had a wonderful dinner at Farm to Fork tonight.

Cheers,

5

Mark, I think you nailed it on '08. As they evolve, that primary baby fat is showing more and more finesse, as expected. Really the best of the ripe '06s and the perfumed '07s.

6

Phil… I hit Ayres yesterday too… they were pouring their 2007s… but they had some 2008 open… make sure you ask for it

Also i wandered by Scott Paul (b/c we live 2 mins away), and the lady said she knew you were coming
apparently you are their biggest fan. haha :slight_smile:

oh and Seven of Hearts - for the life of me i can’t find it. i know it’s right around the corner of our B&B. what the… oh well. will look again today.

Off to drink more!

7

I’ve never heard of this place. Can you provide a bit more info?

8

http://www.innatredhills.com/wine_and_food.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

9

edited with day 2

:slight_smile:

10

The 2008 Lewis Rogers bottling is singing right now. All the 2008s Phil, Carey (spelled right, Phil?) and I tasted today were simply spectacular - whether from bottle or barrel. More to come.

Mark, it’s right in the middle of the block on Main St. in Carlton - north side of the street next to the deli/wine bar called Horseradish.

11

Apparently Phil is quite famous around here… at least 4 wineries spoke of him… either he’s coming or he drinks lot :slight_smile:

I’m tempted to name drop next time i’m at a winery without appointment [rofl.gif]

12

I know people. :slight_smile: