TNR: '07 Cameron Willamette Valley Pinot

WINE TALK
1

Has anyone tried it yet? Steve picked up a case on Friday and I’m getting antsy to try it. The Storyteller, from whom we bought it, recommended a three hour decant. I know we have a few Cameron fans here, so I’d love to hear any thoughts on the wine.

2

I was going to offer to sacrifice my one bottle tonight until I read the part about “Steve bought a case.” You have 12 to my one so I’m not gonna do it. [berserker.gif]

3

I’ve got one in the decanter now… first whiff is too potent. We won’t drink it until it calms down.

Jason, have you tried this yet? I’d have sworn I saw someone mention this wine around here.

EDIT: the glass I poured about half an hour ago is already coming around. It’s earthy, it’s fruity, it’s silky… it’s an absolute STEAL at under $17 a bottle!

4

melissa;

Just drink it and don’t bore us any longer. Every Oregon producer that has posted has said that the 07’s need time. They are not drink now PN’s.

I know you don’t care, and you’re all excited! You might be the first to post a TN on a wine probably not ready to drink. Decant and go!

5

gordon;

I did drink it, but I’m afraid I’m not quite done boring you. Notes to follow.

6

For $17 bucks, this sound like a nice daily drinker…should be nice to see it evolve and change over the next 12 months or so.

7

Look forward to the notes. I wont be bored. I haven’t tried or seen it. At that price, I would certainly open one if I could find it.

Jason

8

I am a member of wine boards to read about wines and their progression…imagine that! Nope, I won’t be bored either

9

Jason, it’s available here, of course, but maybe it’s not so economical anymore if it has to be shipped? I paid $16.20 per bottle with a full case, but I know of at least one store that has it for $182 a case.

The '07s may need plenty of time in general, but this one is absolutely not unapproachable now. We’ll drink the other half tonight and post some notes. We didn’t drink much last night, but we drank it slowly over a few hours and it just kept changing.

By the way, it’s a cuvee from three vineyards-- Gherts, Clos de Bess, and Abbey Ridge’s Road Block. According to Michael Alberty, who sold me mine, it’s from the younger vines in each of those vineyards. Cameron’s entry-level Pinot is the only wine I can think of, from any place or any grape, that I buy a case of every year, sight unseen.

10

Melissa and I finished the bottle we started last night. Vacu-vin’d the remainder last night and popped it this evening. The silky texture we noted upon opening lasted through the last sip, as did the amazingly vibrant ruby color; however, the wine itself evolved significantly over several hours last night and tonight.

When it was first popped, this wine gave up classic, but restrained OR pinot aromas of fresh-turned earth and bright cherries. The nose evolved throughout the first evening, morphing from cherries to raspberries, from loam to salt air to ever-so-slightly barnyard-y, all in a very nice way. On the palate, an initial sparkling blast of sour cherries and floral notes, along with medium tannins. Good, but certainly not overwhelming acidity. With time, more berry flavors, turning almost plum-like by the end of the evening, and picking up some soft leathery notes along the way.

Tonight the wine was considerably more restrained, with tannins resolved and overall more toned down than yesterday. The silky palate remained, along with a more integrated overall impression. This isn’t blockbuster pinot - consistent with the vintage, this wine is “elegant” - and at 12.5% ABV, not a powerhouse either. This entry level pinot isn’t profound juice, but it’s eminently enjoyable and varietally correct.

It’s just a pity these won’t be ready to drink for another three years, because this was really quite enjoyable. :wink:

11





So . . .who actually buys and pays for the wine around there? I’m confizzled.

12

Bob, its a woman…they make everything confusing.

13

And you are both wrong and in trouble

14

Melissa is cha ching and Steve is cheap labor.
Where’s the confusion? [drinkers.gif]

15

BTW thanks for the impressions.
I keep seeing Cameron floating around here but just never got around to picking one up. Will do now.

16

Thanks for the follow up.

[highfive.gif]