American Pinot - a much needed education

First - a HUGE thanks to Chris and Alan for sharing some stellar treasures. Chris - the Panther Creek showed both the potential and the agebility of the region. It is easily my second favorite USA pinot (trailing only the Thomas).
Now a sad note. I opened 4! bottles of Alcina Pinot for this dinner. All 4 were tainted by the damned NeoCork and were less than pleasant to be nice. ARG!! i tasted those wines on release and KNOW they were excellent. oh well - lets chalk it up to edumanacation.
A nod to Navarro - and a thanks to Alan ..that Pinot Juice...is not just for kids!! quite lovely stuff indeed!

Overall - there wasnt a single wine i would pass on if offered again (other than Alcina.. :( Greg where art Thou??) The wines all showed different sides of the grape and the 2 older OR wines showed interesting connections to Barolo and Rioja... while that may be due to their oak treatments - it is an interesting touch nevertheless. It would be hard to call any of these wines truly Burgundian - even with my meager knowledge - but the grape showed its potential in the region without the more obvious over-ripe and flabby notes that one fears. both of the CA wines were def different from the OR - and even the Alesia (the lighter of the two) showed a distinct CA profile. That may be obvious to some - but as a nublet in the Pinot category - it was fun to observe.

last note - every single wine showed as good or better on the next afternoon than it did in the evening. While part of that may be the fact that i did not have a full day of work etc in me while tasting, it goes to show the aging potential and the power of the wines.

• 1999 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Knight's Gambit 94 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Opened with sweet ripe blackberry and ripe fruit, but with time more of mushroom and earth came out. Perfumed, floral notes as well. berry and zing on the mid - good acidity keeping the ripe wine in balance. very long sweet/sour finish with a bit of spice and zing.
  
  Day 2 - more earthy and meaty - barolo notes of roses and wet earth. gorgeous today... showing its potential for even longer age. mid is leaner today with more structure and savory touch. turning from black to red fruit. cherry comes to mind but with a touch of steak juice :) long finish - sleek and refreshing. this is a beauty by any standard.

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• 2002 Chehalem Pinot Noir Ridgecrest Vineyards 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

  berryies, sour cherry nose. with time - more floral. less expressive on the nose than expected. BUT the mid is where this wine is showing up! cherry in every aspect from sour to black cherries to ripe red. good long finish with a hint of pepper. with time - tea and a bit more earthy.
  
  Day 2 - still light on the nose. cherry mainly with some earth. mid is lovely - more lush and filled with ripe cherries. good acidity...reminds me a bit of rioja - while the PC was more barolo. nice spices on the finish and some pepper. damn good wine.

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• 2005 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Ribbon Springs 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

  Cherry cola/candy, floral, whiff of spice and mushroom. has that Pinot funk note that is hard to describe but when you smell it - you just know it. Some vanilla from the oak as well though. Ripe mid of cherry and cola. good acidity. Finish is there now (while it was short last night) touch of vanilla. sweet caramel on the finish but light enough to stay refreshing. the bitter note that was present last night is gone completely. Ripe lush and lovely. resolved and ready to go - though in no hurry. Good stuff!

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• 2006 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Falstaff Road Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  easily the youngest of the 5 - and not just by age. Lost of structure that needed time - especially on the first night. Day 2 was calmer - and cleaner. Raspberry and sour cherry, floral notes - roses, def a Cali profile though light and sleek. mid has great balance of ripe cherry and acidity. long finish with a hint of sweet fruit and spice. Lovely stuff. glad to have held on to it. showing much more youthful than the Green Valley we had a few days ago. YUM

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• 2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Dierberg Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  well hello CALI Pinot. This is easily the biggest wine in the group. cherry cola and warm spices. ripe but balanced. Touch of the syrah-ish feel to it but only a touch. Ripe chewy mid. Almost tannic - and showing extremely young. Earthy mid. core of ripe fruit and a long finish with some zing. Whats not to love?? Perhaps not for the light-hearted but who cares? This is an excellent wine, big bold and soooo yummy. With all the great wines today - if i had to pick one to drink now - this would be my #2. Just pure pleasure.

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Thanks again to both Alan and Chris for sharing such lovely treasures with me and as you all know - this door is always open to friends.