Mike's American Series Oregon Dinner

Aperitif - Mushroom truffle arancini and caramelised onion brioche

• N.V. Philipponnat Champagne Royale Réserve Non Dosé - France, Champagne
  First knowing encounter with this producer. Elderflower and apple on the nose, seems a little sour but seems to work as there's good energy and persistence. Decent. (90 pts.)

Peppered Beef Carpacio

• 2017 00 Wines Pinot Noir Hyland - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
  To die for nose (pot pourri, strawberry fruits, rose petals, forest floor etc.). Delicate and balanced with laser precision. Kind of frustrating because to my palate it needed a bit more midpalate depth and seemed clipped on the finish. Yet for what it is, it is great, and quite compelling, and unanimous WOTN. (93 pts.)
• 2014 Brick House Pinot Noir Evelyn's - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
  Inexpressive nose and seemed slightly tired on the midpalate as it lacked vibrancy and seemed a little loose and unfocused. Still, there were nice slightly decayed raspberry and balsamic notes with a touch of forest floor. It was tough to go next to the 00 and perhaps this wine would have been better by itself outside of the context of a wine dinner. (89 pts.)

Roast Skate Wing

• 2018 00 Wines Chardonnay Chehalem Mountain - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
  Nose was slightly tropical although elderflower showed later on. Profile was clearly more open and fruit / citrus driven than say Morgen Long, but there was good midpalate energy and freshness. Seemed well cut with good precision. (92 pts.)
• 2018 Arterberry Maresh Chardonnay Eyrie Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
  I didn't quite fully understand this wine. It seemed restrained and slightly anonymous or dare I say "international". There was a muted nose, a little smoke, reasonably well judged acidity. (89 pts.)
• 2016 Morgen Long Chardonnay Sandi - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  Slightly reductive start which later blew off and seems to carry the Morgen Long signature (in a good way - of course). Medium bodied with a lemony profile and midpalate interplay between sweet and savoury whilst remaining saline and focused. V. accomplished but ultimately not at the top of the tree of my ML experiences. Still a treat to try. (91 pts.)

Iberico Presa

• 2018 Sequitur Pinot Noir Jack - USA, Oregon
  Very pure and ethereal nose leading the way to a medium bodied sappy and fresh but concentrated pinot noire where purity of fruit is at the forefront. It would have benefited from serving a touch cooler but for me it seemed foursquare Sequitur where the viticulture and savoir-faire in the winemaking shows. (91 pts.)
• 2015 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Botanica - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  Inexpressive nose led the way to a savoury red fruits, wood, and a peppery midpalate. Probably served a bit too warm but didn't obviously appeal. (90 pts.)
• 2005 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
  Prunes and darker red fruit on the nose. Lacks freshness and with cloying tannins and after some time in the glass became a bit better on the finish. I was really hoping for more as it is the oldest Oregon I have tried by some distance. Still a treat to try, but ultimately not my cup of tea. (89 pts.)

Apple Crumble Souffle

• 2020 ATS Pincészet Tokaji Pince - Hungary, Tokaji
  Initially I thought this was a bit flabby but came to the view that it was actually decent with good focus, fruit concentration and length. Impressive and likely a good value.