| | To go with the general berserkers meme that has been coined, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this event that included people from all over the OR wine business. 07 has been killed by a lot of critics, but has fast turned into a very good vintage that has proven them to be quite wrong.
We were all lucky to have Jim Anderson spearhead the entire tasting and fully organize it. He was also gracious enough to open up the winery for us to do the tasting. All of the wines were double blind and done in flights of 5 until the last two flights which were in 4s Flight 1 - 2007 Matello Pinot Noir Hommage A & D - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: pretty and hi-toned nose of red fruits, bits of herbs, red cherries, and red florals. Very expressive and pretty nose
taste: medium bodied with medium+ acidity and a elegant style and pretty tones of red fruits, red cherries, berries and a touch of tobacco tones
overall: a great way to start off the tasting. A very pretty pinot with a more red fruited take on both the nose and palate (90 pts.)
- 2007 Westrey Pinot Noir Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: slightly forward nose with pretty tones of cherries, tart berries, dark red fruits and a t ouch of plums
taste: medium bodied with medium acidity and with an elegant feel and tones of cherries, tart berries and plum tones
overall: Another elegant pinot to start things off. Well balanced and pretty with a very fragrant nose (91 pts.)
- 2007 Grochau Cellars Pinot Noir Cuvée des Amis - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: very perfumed and lifting nose of fresh picked raspberries, roses, violets, and a touch of herb tones as well
taste: fuller bodied with medium+ acidity and well balanced tones of raspberries, violets, dark red fruits and some bits of herbs
overall: this had a fairly dark color to it. Very perfumed and fragrant on the nose with a real great feel on the palate as well. This could be great in a few years (92 pts.)
- 2007 Auteur Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: very oak driven nose with tones along with plum tones, dark red fruits, and blackberry tones. The oak is a bit overpowering
taste: full bodied with medium+ acidity with a good dose of oak right away along with tarry flavors, dark red fruits and blackberries
overall: the oak dominates the wine and overpowers a bit. The flavors are pretty oak driven as well. Just seemed a bit heavyhanded (83 pts.)
- 2007 Andrew Rich Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: very fragrant and pretty nose of dark red fruits, plums, fresh picked berries and a touch of red florals
taste: medium/full bodied with medium+ acidity with very balanced tones of dark red fruits, plums, red florals and some dark red cherries
overall: an excellent pinot. Seems like it could use another two years or so, but with a real elegant and open nose right now (89 pts.)
Flight 2 - 2007 Amalie Robert Pinot Noir The Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: pretty and lighter nose of red fruits, red cherries, strawberries, and some bits of perfumes
taste: lighter bodied and maybe a bit too light with medium acidity along with silky and pretty tones of red fruits, red cherries, strawberries and some floral tones
overall: This bottle maybe seemed a bit too light on the palate. It wasn't lean and maybe it was caught in a weird place right now. For me, some more body and this could be very nice (89 pts.)
- 2007 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
nose: fairly tight nose at first, but opens up into elegant tones of red fruits, cherries, some bits of fresh picked berries and perfume tones as well
taste: silky medium body with medium+ acidity with silken tones of red fruits, cherries, raspberries and a slight hint of oak on the back end
overall: a real lovely wine that still needs a bit of time to fully unravel. Showing off a more perfumed style on the nose with some nice refinement on the palate (90 pts.)
- 2007 Seven of Hearts Pinot Noir Eola - Amity Hills - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
nose: hi-toned and perfumed nose of dark red cherries, plums, red fruits, a lot of floral tones and a slight hint of cola
taste: very elegant medium body with medium/high acidity showing off the youth of the wine along with elegant tones of dark red cherries, plums, red fruits and a touch of cola
overall: Elegance seems to be the word of the day and this does exactly the same thing. Nice and perfumed nose that fills up the glass, this does need a few years to fully come together, but is a lovely wine (91 pts.)
- 2007 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Carter Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
nose: lighter and fragrant nose of dark red cherries, oak tones, dark red fruits and some wood spices
taste: fuller bodied with medium+ acidity and hard tannins along with dark red cherries, some tar tones, oak and dark red fruits
overall: too much oak and it seemed too heavy handed. A real disappointment when it was revealed, this was rather forgettable (86 pts.)
- 2007 Cristom Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
nose: very nicer spice based nose with tones of dark red cherries, bits of cola and rich tones of dark red fruits
taste: fuller bodied with medium acidity and plump tones of spices, dark red cherries, rich red fruits, and a good dose of plums
overall: a bit surprised when this was revealed. Came across more as a style wine than one that I completely enjoy. Still, this is showing weight on the palate that very few in the press have placed on the 07 vintage (88 pts.)
Flight 3 - 2007 White Rose Estate Pinot Noir Quiotee's Lair - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: now we're talking, absolutely gorgeous and perfumed nose of red fruits, floral tones, herbs, spice tones and all sorts of wild berries
taste: silky and refined medium feel with medium acidity with lovely tones of perfumes, red fruits, floral tones, herbs and a whole lot of wild berries
overall: this was just picture perfect for me. It had an understated quality to it, and I was doing my best to savor this as long as possible in the format we had. I really needed a bottle of this in front of me (93 pts.)
- 2007 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Murto Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: very demure and sexy nose of wild herbs, berries, spice tones and a nice dose of red fruits. There was very good depth too as well on the nose
taste: showing off rather young on the palate with medium+ acidity that is seeming like it needs to calm a bit backed up by a beautiful medium feel with polished tones of fresh picked berries, wild herbs, plums and a good bit of red fruits
overall: this had a very vosne quality to me. Demure and lovely, this was very fragrant and expressive on both the nose and palate. It could use another couple of years, but is a real lovely wine on the whole (92 pts.)
- 2007 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: fairly funky nose to start off with a more earth driven style to it and tones of dark red fruits, earth tones, tobacco, and dark red cherries. This was on the rustic side of things, but far from lean and green
taste: medium bodied with medium/high acidity and some chewy tannins showing off its youth along with rustic tones of dark red cherries, earthen tones, brown spices, and dark red fruits
overall: this seemed to be in a slightly more closed phase than the last time I had it. I actually thought that this could be a NSG ringer in the lineup and was surprised by the reveal (91 pts.)
- 2007 Appassionata Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: gorgeously aromatic nose filled with all sorts of spice and herb tones along with elegant tones of red fruits, red cherries and a good amount of strawberries
taste: beautiful and sublime medium feel along with medium/high acidity and a real silky quality to the tones of herbs, spice, red fruits and a lot of strawberries. Still seems very young on the palate
overall: this is a stunner in the making. This relies on more of a deft touch than brute force to draw you in. A real wonderful pinot that still needs some time to really show itself (93 pts.)
- 2007 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Red Hills Estate - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: big, rich, and extracted nose of candy tones, plums, red cherries and a sort of sweet base for all of the tones
taste: full bodied with a cloying sweetness to it along with medium acidity and tones of candy tones, plums and red cherries
overall: this was rather chunky and not really all that memorable. Seemed like it was forced rather than running with the vintage (84 pts.)
Flight 4 - 2007 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
nose: tight nose backed up by red fruits, berries, spice tones and a bit of fresh herbs as well. Good depth with an expressive quality to it though it was pretty tight
taste: very good medium body with medium+ acidity and silky tones of red fruits, berries, spice tones and a touch of roses. Lacking a little bit on the midpalate, but with a nice attack and finish
overall: this does come off as rather young right now. Seems a bit light on both the nose and palate, but everything is there to form into a very nice wine (89 pts.)
- 2007 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Bonshaw Block Estate Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
nose: there is a slight bit of stemmyness on the nose along with tones of red fruits, chalk, berries, spice tones. Very good depth on the nose and it was a bit tight as well
taste: medium bodied, but on the lighter side and the stemmy quality doesn't follow through on the palate the way it did on the nose. Medium+ acidity gives the base along with tones of red fruits, red florals, berries and spice tones
overall: in need of some time. The stemmyness blew off after a little bit, so it didn't seem to be a worry for me at all. What this does need is a little bit of time to round into form and show off what is some real good promise (90 pts.)
- 2007 Brick House Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais Ribbon Ridge - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
nose: nice and fresh nose of red fruits, rose petals, lots of berry tones and bits of spices as well. Nice depth with a good feminine take to it
taste: lighter on the palate, but far from thin and lacking. Medium+ acidity gives it a nice spine along with tones of plums, berries, red fruits and a lot of rose petals
overall: yet again, a lovely young pinot. Well balanced and very fragrant that makes it very inviting. We were told that this was picked before the rains in 07 (90 pts.)
- 2007 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: seems a bit simple on the nose with tones of dark red berries, dark red fruits, and a bit of chocolate. Not too much depth, but nice
taste: a bit light on the palate and thin with medium acidity and tones of berries, plums, dark red fruits and chocolate tones
overall: its rather unfortunate that this showed like this. If this was a $10-15 pinot it would be more than fine, but its not. Still, it's a nice pinot (86 pts.)
- 2007 Brick House Pinot Noir Cuvée du Tonnelier - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
nose: elegant and filling nose of red fruits, berries, red florals, bits of herbs and plum tones. Very nice depth and very much on teh expressive side
taste: lovely medium body with medium+ acidity with balanced tones of red fruits, berries, red florals and herb tones. Nice and silky on the palate as well
overall: a gorgeous wine that still needs a slight bit of time to fully come together. This had a nice light salmon color to it but wasn't light at all on the nose or palate. It had been noted that this was picked after the rains (92 pts.)
Flight 5 - 2007 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Côte Est - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: fragrant and lifting nose of plums, dark red cherries, dark berries, some red florals and a slight hint of candy tones
taste: still a bit lighter on the palate, but not lean. Medium+ acidity with pretty tones of plums, red florals, dark red cherries and some candy
overall: this has pretty much stayed in the same place for me over the past 3 years. Its a nice pinot and has gotten more fragrant on the nose. A little more body would be nice if it can be added with age (88 pts.)
- 2007 Privé Vineyard Pinot Noir Le Sud - USA, Oregon, Yamhill County
nose: though perfumed is a theme for the 07 noses, this really exemplifies the word with very pretty tones of spices, dark red fruits, hi-toned red florals and a good bit of wild cherries
taste: Very pretty and silky medium body with medium+ acidity that makes itself known with satiny tones of spices, red florals, plums, dark red fruits and lots of wild cherries
overall: This feels like it needs at least 3 years and maybe 5. This could be a real stunner with some more age as it balances into harmony (92 pts.)
- 2007 Lemelson Vineyards Pinot Noir Stermer Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: a big dose of oak on the nose with some oak influenced tones of road tar and black cherries. The oak really does dominate
taste: again, the oak dominates along with a medium/full feel, medium+ acidity and some hard wood tannins along with black cherries and oak flavors
overall: hard to say much about this. It certainly wasn't a weaker wine because of the vintage and much more from being way too aggressive in the oak and extraction (83 pts.)
- 2007 WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Aliette - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: very perfumed and complex nose that has a nebbiolo-esque quality to it filled with tones of red fruits, roasted herbs, red cherries, wild flowers and loads of spice tones
taste: silken medium body with medium/high acidity and lovely tones of red fruits, roasted herbs, fields of wildflowers, red cherries, spices and lots of fresh picked strawberries. Very complex, and though on the lighter side, still bringing good depth
overall: This was a gorgeous wine. Silky and very aromatic, this grabbed my attention right away with its beauty. This could definitely use another couple of years to sand down the edges, but lovely she is (92 pts.)
- 2007 Grochau Cellars Pinot Noir A Tout de Suite - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: a very nice and rather understated nose with demure tones of herbs, red fruits, spice tones and some very picked berries. Very aromatic and pleasing
taste: elegant and inviting medium body with medium/high acidity and demure tones of herbs, red fruits, spices and fresh picked berries. The acidity is on the sharp side right now and very prominent
overall: a smile grew on my face when this was revealed and had been mentioned that it was blown out for $18. This is a very pretty pinot that can still use a little more time just to calm down the acidity (90 pts.)
Flight 6 - 2007 Lachini Pinot Noir Lachini Family Estate - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
nose: slightly funky nose and filled with tones of dark red fruits, red cherries, dark berries and a variety of spice tones
taste: pretty medium feel with medium+ acidity and well balanced tones of dark red fruits, red cherries and a lot of spice tones. Very nice attack and finish, but the mid-palate could be fleshed out a bit
overall: This also seems like a bit more time would be of a real benefit to it. Still, its a lovely wine that has a very nice elegant side (91 pts.)
- 2007 The Great Oregon Wine Company Pinot Noir Rascal - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
not sure what to think of this. the majority of others felt that there was something off on this bottle and very different from the one that was offered on berserker day
- 2007 Scott Paul Cellars Pinot Noir La Paulée - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: very pretty and effusive nose filled with dark red cherries, dark red fruits, plum tones and a good amount of spice tones as well
taste: silky medium body with medium acidity and round tones of spices, dark red cherries and a good amount of dark red fruits. The acidity is well in check and the palate is very balanced
overall: this wine was very pretty. Elegant and balanced, it had a refined sense to it along with great balance on both the nose and palate. This does seem like it's ready to drink and is well worth drinking right now (92 pts.)
- 2007 R. Stuart & Co. Pinot Noir Autograph - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose:very simple nose of red cherries, candy tones and bits of berries. not much depth, but with nice tones
taste: lighter body with medium acidity and straight forward tones of red cherries and berry tones. The tones are a bit simple as well
overall: This was a decent wine. Rather straightforward and inoffensive, but doesn't really do much more than that (83 pts.)
- 2007 Matello Pinot Noir Souris - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: gorgeous and flowing nose of red cherries, dark red fruits, lots of floral tones and some bits of candy as well
taste: pretty and elegant medium feel with medium+ acidity and silky tones of wild berries, dark red fruits, red cherries and a lot of floral tones on the back end
overall: this was a lovely wine. Very elegant and refined, this seemed a bit young but not too far away from being where it needs to be (92 pts.)
Flight 7 - 2007 Cameron Pinot Noir Abbey Ridge - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: absolutely lovely nose that harkens burgundy for me along with perfumed tones of earthen tones, brown spices, dark red cherries and a lot of dark red fruits
taste: supremely balanced with a very pretty medium body feel and medium+ acidity along with silken tones of earth, brown spices, dark red cherries and some darker floral tones as well
overall: I really wanted more than just the pour of this. This was a wine that I just would've loved to have spent an evening with. It can certainly get better and probably could use another couple of years (92 pts.)
- 2007 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir Original Vines - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: perfumed and enveloping nose of violets and wild flowers for days along with red fruits and a good amount of fresh picked berries
taste: very pretty medium feel with medium/high acidity and lovely tones of violets, all sorts of wild flowers, lots of red cherries, spice tones, red fruits and fresh picked berries
overall: it was a real lovely wine. Perfectly balanced and just showing itself to be a wine of class and poise. Certainly in need of some more time to let the nuances fully come through, but this is gorgeous now (92 pts.)
- 2007 Winderlea Pinot Noir Estate - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: very pretty with a red fruit based nose of red cherries, violets, rose petals and tones of wild berries
taste: elegant medium body feel with medium acidity with tones of red fruits, red cherries, rose petals and a good amount of violets
overall: this was yet another very enjoyable wine. Perfumed and elegant, this had some real class to it (91 pts.)
- 2007 J. Christopher Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Cuvée - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
corked (FLAWED)
- 2007 R. Stuart & Co. Pinot Noir Ana - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
something seemed off on this bottle. smelled of vicks and was disjointed on the palate
Flight 8 - 2007 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Savoya Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
nose: a much more rich nose than the wines from the previous flight with tones of dark red cherries, spice tones, plums and bits of dark berries
taste: medium/full bodied with medium+ acidity and slick tones of dark red cherries, plums, and spice tones. Very balanced and while on the bigger side, it certainly wasn't overdone
overall: This was an extremely good wine. Well balanced and though it was on the bigger side it held it well (90 pts.)
- 2007 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: very oaked nose that dominates along with tones of wood spices, blackberries, and dark red cherries
taste: full bodied with medium acidity with rich tones of oak, wood spices and blackberries
overall: This does seem to border on being overdone, but the oak is obtrusive and bothersome. Really wasn't too surprised when the wine was revealed (82 pts.)
- 2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
nose: richer nose with tones of dark red cherries, spice tones, dark berries, and dark floral tones
taste: fuller bodied with medium+ acidity and excellent tones of dark red cherries, spice tones, and dark berry tones
overall: a very tasty pinot. While it is fuller bodied, this is far from overdone and overtly rich (91 pts.)
- 2007 Biggio Hamina Cellars Pinot Noir Deux Vert - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
nose: precocious and lifting nose of red florals, roses, fresh picked berries, herbs, spice tones and a good bit of red fruits
taste: silky medium/full body with medium+ acidity and polished tones of red florals, fresh picked berries, herb tones, and red fruits
overall: very balanced and polished on both the nose and palate. Excellent depth and very enjoyable (91 pts.)
Flight 9 - 2007 Biggio Hamina Cellars Pinot Noir Ana Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: very red fruit based nose of red berries, spice tones, dark red cherries and bits of plums. Nice depth with an expressive side on the nose
taste: lighter bodied with medium/high acidity and tones of spices, dark red cherries, herbs and a touch of plum tones
overall: this seems like it does need some more time. It was a bit too light on the palate, but the nose was gorgeous (88 pts.)
- 2007 Copain Pinot Noir "En Haut" Kiser - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
nose: the nose was completely brutalized by oak. Like, it was nothing but oak and some wood spice tones
taste: full bodied and overdone with black cherries and a whole lot of oak
overall: meh. Just way too much oak and really it was nothing but oak (76 pts.)
- 2007 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Estate Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
nose: very pretty and elegant nose filled with red fruits, berries, various floral tones and higher tones of spices as well
taste: pretty medium feel that is feminine without being overly delicate with medium+ acidity and polished tones of red fruits, spice tones, florals, and bits of strawberries as well
overall: Well balanced and very elegant, this feels like it needs some time to fully come together, but is a wonderful young pinot right now (92 pts.)
- 2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
nose: on the herbal side with tones of spices, red cherries, and some floral tones. Balanced, but the herbal streak is slightly bothersome
taste: medium body with medium+ acidity and balanced tones of herbs, spice tones, red cherries, berries and some floral tones. Not as herbal on the palate as the nose
overall: This is a pretty infamous wine and it was fun to have it in the tasting. This wasn't a mess of a wine like had been reported. The herbal streak is almost a bit overpowering on the nose and if it balances out it could be wonderful (89 pts.)
Post-Tasting bubbles and pinot - N.V. Gaston Chiquet Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs d'Aÿ - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
nose: precise and focused nose of almonds, pears, lemon peels and a nice mineral streak underneath
taste: crisp and fresh medium body with medium+ acidity that is refreshing along with tones of almonds, pears, bits of citrus tones and minerals
overall: this was a tasty BdB. Nice and refreshing with good balance on both the nose and palate (89 pts.)
- N.V. Chartogne-Taillet Champagne Cuvée Sainte Anne - France, Champagne
nose: very interesting and leesy nose, tones of wax, white fruits and some bits of stone fruits as well
taste: full bodied with medium acidity and creamy tones of was, white fruits, and some warm doughy tones
overall: this was from magnum and had a 5/10 disgorgement. Nice and rich, this was great after all of the pinots (91 pts.)
- N.V. René-Henri Coutier Champagne Grand Cru Tradition Brut - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
nose: rich and yeasty nose with tones of meringue, lemon peels, and mineral tones
taste: silky and polished medium feel with medium/high acidity and fresh tones of minerals, yeast, and meringue
overall: this was listed as L01-07 and was from a magnum. The acidity was still very prominent even with a 4 year old disgorgement. A real quality bubbly (90 pts.)
- 2002 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Singularity - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: beautiful and lush nose of dark red fruits, smoke tones, berries, dark red cherries and some mineral rich earth tones
taste: very polished and refined medium feel with medium+ acidity and silky tones of dark red fruits, smoke, dark red cherries and lots of wild berries
overall: this was from a 3L that had been opened for a day at that point. This was a real treat and a great way to end a great tasting (92 pts.)
While there were some wines that were on the thinner side and some that had more herbal qualities, the wines showed extremely well on the whole. The whole tasting was a blast and it was a bit of a whirlwind as there were a lot of people there. Having a variety of winemakers in attendance just added to the great time as their insight was invaluable.Words really don't describe how great the tasting was |
