TN: 2006 Open Book Wines Pinot Noir

WINE TALK
1

I have no idea where in the Willamette Valley these grapes came from. I don’t know a thing about the winery or the winemaker, who, according to the label is named Scott Huffman. This bottle was given to me as a gift.

Nice ruby red color, bit of a paler ruby rim. After about 20 minutes in a very big class I could make out notes of seared beef, dried hay, dark red cherries and a note that reminded me of some brown spice. The palate was big and rich and showed off flavors like dark cherry and chocolate bounced all over my mouth. If Tootsie Pop had a pinot flavor, this would be it.

Overall, this wine displays what many will see as the best attributes of Oregon’s 2006 vintage: nice big fruit and plenty of body. I’m rarely in the mood for this style of Oregon Pinot Noir, but on this cold, rainy night it fit the bill perfectly with some pork sandwiches and a football game.

Like I said, I don’t know Scott Huffman from Felicity Huffman, but I will be curious to find a 2007 version of this wine to see what shakes.

2

Wow. A “Storyteller” checking out an “Open Book.”

When you get your story straight, resubmit…and we’ll see what kind of critiquing
we can do before publishing this baby into the next Open Book of the Month Club.

3

Every picture certainly does tell a story.

4

You, of all people, should understand that.

Great to see you posting here Michael.

5

Huffman was the winemaker at Chateau Benoit, then Anne Amie for a long time. Thomas Houseman replaced him. I worked with him for six months in 2000, between Archery Summit and Patton Valley. Good guy and can fix anything.