Well, commentary more than a TN. Michael Alberty of Storyteller Wine among others calls it “the Cameron funk”, and he used that descriptor for this particular offering, which he was kind enough to sell me. I have found the exact same characteristic in other Oregon pinot as well as, I will say it, the wines from pinot on the other side of the Atlantic. Rather than “funk”, I think of it as the smell of beef bouillon cube dissolved in hot water combined with a bit of sage and lavender. There is a slight wet iron/ferric metal side to it. I think it might be my very favorite smell and characteristic among all pinots of whatever stripe. Among Oregon pinot, I have only found it in wines from the Dundee Hills. This is an absolutely beautiful wine that is drinking very well right out of the gate. It’s feminine, but absolutely full of flavor. It’s layered in the fashion that causes many of us to use the word “complex”. It tells a story from front end to back. After a few hours, the acidity poked out ever so slightly. I didn’t mind a bit. I won’t go so far as to say there is no current pinot that is it’s equal at $25, but I doubt there is much better.
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They make it in the love shack, baby.
Awesome. Thanks for the note. Just brought one home from the locker and it will be in my belly soon.
Jason
This is absolutely a terrific wine. John says that it’s the best Dundee Hills cuvee he’s made.
As for the ambiance, I believe that they still stand on a 4X6 across the top of their fermentation tanks for punch-downs.
Mitch, I also love that specific Dundee Hills aroma. The only other Pinot that I’ve ever noticed with a similar aroma/palate was a premier cru Chambolle Musigny from Dujac.
This is absolutely a terrific wine. John says that it’s the best Dundee Hills cuvee he’s made.
As for the ambiance, I believe that they still stand on a 4X6 across the top of their fermentation tanks for punch-downs.
Mitch, I also love that specific Dundee Hills aroma. The only other Pinot that I’ve ever noticed with a similar aroma/palate was a premier cru Chambolle Musigny from Dujac.
Thanks Rick. Agreement that this is a beautiful wine from you is about as much confirmation as to my good taste as I could ever hope for.
Wait until you get to try the 2007 Cameron Gehrts Vineyard Pinot Noir. The Dundee Hills was just a preview. The Gehrts is so very pretty. Lots of silky cherry and just a trace of the Cameron funk. Very bright, nice acidity and balanced. Way better IMHO than the 2006 Gehrts. Couldn’t get John Paul to say it was the best ever at the DRC tasting yesterday, but he’s pretty happy about it. I’m REALLY happy about it.
Shush!
RT
- 2007 Cameron Pinot Noir Dundee Hills - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (6/9/2009)
If this is any indication, 2007 will be a good year for Cameron. Lighter than the 2005, clear rose all the way to the rim. Nose is floral, with fruit tree blossoms, a hint of lavender and just a bit of the Cameron funk. Acidity is way lively now, almost spritzy, so there still some time for settling in here. Right now, flavor’s not quite as interesting as the nose, and the finish is a bit short, but there’s nothing to complain about here. If you like the Cameron style, go long on this one. (91 pts.)
Are you guys telling me there’s good 2007 Oregon Pinot out there?
Nope. we drank it all.
That’s crazy talk. They can’t compete with the goopy flabby sweet heavy 06s.
btw had 2 more nice 07s last night. Notes to follow.
J
I’m going to drink a 2007 tonight just in spite.
J. Christopher’s '07 Dundee Hills Cuvee is also fantastic - similar style to Cameron, of course…I’ll have to try them side-by-side…
Yes, I heard from a local shop keep that the '07 J. Christopher Dundee Hills is rockin good, and only $18 wholesale. Jay told me a few months ago that he essentially declassified his 2007s (nothing above this bottling) because of the economy, not quality issues. Also, I heard the '07 Zoot Allures is now $10 wholesale. That’s really nice wine for the money.
I ordered a bottle of this wine based on the tasting note and I thought it was awesome. 12.5% alcohol and lots of funk. Can anyone tell me more about the overall style of Cameron and the other wines in their portfolio. I read a couple articles about the winemaker and I am very intrigued.
Also any other similiar suggestions in Oregon (Pinot or other grapes) for lower alcohol wines with funk and complexity. Other recent Oregon wines I have liked were Vital Vineyards (Pinot) and Tannahill (Syrah).
Thanks!
Sure. I may have some facts mixed up though:
- Big corporate image
- Popular on the tour bus tasting circuit
- Winemaker trained in a torrid part of Australia where he learned to love hot, sweet, ripe and jammy Pinots
- Fruit is picked as late as possible to offset the acid levels
- Lots of obvious new oak
- Rarely any funk in the Pinots
- Lousy fat chardonnays requiring early drinking
- Named a wine after their Westminster winning Affenpinscher: Arley
- Joint ventured with a Corporate Chemical company to test Phylloxera treatments
That should about cover it.
RT
Also any other similiar suggestions in Oregon (Pinot or other grapes) for lower alcohol wines with funk and complexity. Other recent Oregon wines I have liked were Vital Vineyards (Pinot) and Tannahill (Syrah).
Not very easy to do. I am not sure there are any. Unlike California with cookie-cutter syrahs, chards, zins, and cabs, there is a tremendous range of style in Oregon pinot, and those who produce lower ripeness pinots also have a larger range of style vintage to vintage. I can only say check out J. Christopher, Thomas, Evesham Wood, Eyrie, Belle Pente, and Brick House. Don’t go by price-you sometimes run into situations where the lower priced bottlings have the funk and feminine character and the higher priced bottlings are more structured with more oak.
Sure. I may have some facts mixed up though:
- Big corporate image
- Popular on the tour bus tasting circuit
- Winemaker trained in a torrid part of Australia where he learned to love hot, sweet, ripe and jammy Pinots
- Fruit is picked as late as possible to offset the acid levels
- Lots of obvious new oak
- Rarely any funk in the Pinots
- Lousy fat chardonnays requiring early drinking
- Named a wine after their Westminster winning Affenpinscher: Arley
- Joint ventured with a Corporate Chemical company to test Phylloxera treatments
That should about cover it.
RT
Nice. Things must be nuts in Oregon. As usual.
That is what I thought. Especially after seeing this:
http://www.cameronwines.com/MondoEgo.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Honestly Robert, the wines aren’t for everyone. Just had a retailer tell me the 06 Abbey Ridge Pinot sucked and was too green. The big, oaky, ripe, popular Cab styled Pinots are being made somewhere else. If you liked the 07 Dundee, it would seem worthwhile to try some of the other offerings: Gehrt’s, Arley’s Leap, Abbey Ridge, and Clos Electrique. The chards are well worth trying too…but don’t expect Kendall Jackson.
Cheers.
RT