Virtual Pinots with a Little More

This was our regular virtual wine group tasting. The theme was not particularly a theme, other than Jason wanted to do some Oregon Pinot and see what everyone thought. Jason generously provided all the pinot's and we al provided a white of some sort. The '08 pinots were done single blind and the '98/'99 were not. Fun night with the whites stealing the show.

• 2007 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  Pale golden color. Transferred into jars for transport at 5pm; drank a glass over 40 minutes at 7pm. This was a little warm after transporting home, and I didn't have time to get it chilled back down. Still, the wine was impressive, with a wonderfully expressive and autolytic nose, filled with brioche and marzipan, fresh air, cool green orchard fruit dominated by pear, roasted nuts and dry minerality and honeyed notes. The palate is full bodied, but probably somewhat deceptive with its sheer elegance and taught racy style. This is again more orchard fruit with pear, then melon, while citrus seems more in the background. Gorgeous toastiness mixed with almond and honey cream. This is very harmonious and has a freshness along with the refined chalk and delicately creamy texture. I love the overall expression, nice and dry and very crisp. 5gm dosage vs the '06 at 10gm. I can't say I ever thought that previous vintages were noticeably sweet, but this is dry yet in no way is it stark. Wish I would have had more time to reflect on this, but just didn't have the time. May be underscored at 94pts.

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• 2012 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Art Series 93 Points

  Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

  Light gold color. Transferred into jars for transport at 5pm; drank a glass over 75 minutes at 7pm. This was a little warm after transporting home, and I didn't have time to get it chilled back down. More fresh air and steely minerals on the nose, white fruits, pear, white peach, chalk, and white pepper on the nose with little if any sense of oak. The palate is more robust and has some depth; ripe pear, red apple, spice; it seems to have taken on some weight and there is more oak showing than expected - not excessive, but still noticeable. Nice minerality as well, but it is the finish and length that is truly impressive. This wine in general I find to be a bit of a chameleon with ever changing colors in the glass and over the years. I'm never quite sure what to expect. No hints of tropical fruit here at all presently. Many years left in the tank.

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• 1998 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Archery Summit Estate 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Dark red color. PNP, transferred into jars for transport at 4:30pm; drank a glass over 2 hours plus at 7:30pm. Drank the '98 and '99 side by side. Ripe deep red fruits on the nose, baked cherry cobbler, huckleberry, sweet, light spices. The palate is full bodied, ripe, cherry pie, huckleberry, black raspberry, a little scorched earth, pepper, maybe a little alcohol at first but that resolved for me. This was in good shape. Initially I preferred the '99, but I think later I found the '98 a bit better. Qualitatively both were on par.

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• 1999 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Archery Summit Estate 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Dark red maroon color. PNP, transferred into jars for transport at 4:30pm; drank a glass over 2 hours plus at 7:30pm. Drank next to the '98. This was darker fruited, more earth, floral , blackberry, black raspberry on the nose. The palate is dense, full bodied, blackberry liqueur, black raspberries, more acid, savory and woodsy. A bigger more modern style for sure. Still showing rather well, and a tough call now between the two as they are similar qualitatively. I may favor the '98 just a tad. Both actually held up well 24 hours later too. Fun to drink these with a healthy amount of age.

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• 2008 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard Flawed

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Dark red color. Stewed dark fruits, very vegetal, sweet. Suspect heat damaged.

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• 2008 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Homer Shea Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Dark red color. PNP, transferred into jars for transport at 4:30pm; drank a glass single blind over 2 hours plus at 8:00pm. I agree with galewskj note from a couple years ago, and I look forward to his note from tonight. This is big, and I like the description of it being a cocktail wine. It comes off rather syrupy with ripe liqueurish black fruits in a not so subtle style of pinot noir. The nose has some nice dried forest floor notes to accent things, but there is a lot of vanilla still as well to go with a mix of ripe black and red fruits. The palate is fairly full bodied, ripe blackberry, ripe black cherry, cassis, earth, leather, vanilla and lots of wood and underbrush on the finish. There's still some tannic grip on the finish too. It is a particular style that will please many. 90+pts.

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• 2008 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Archery Summit Estate 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Dark red color. PNP, transferred into jars for transport at 4:30pm; drank a glass single blind over 2 hours plus at 8:00pm. The nose is open and showing red fruits, raspberry, citrus, orange peel, cherry, perfumed, floral. The palate has mouth watering acidity, juicy red raspberries and red cherry, citrus, blood orange, rose water, hints of vanilla with lots of nice spices on the finish. This is very flashy and full bodied with some noticeable tannins. 91+ to 92pts.

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• 2010 Château Rieussec 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Medium gold color. PNP, poured into jars for transport at 5pm and drank a glass over 30 minutes around 9pm. Vanillin, shaved coconut, tangerine, peach, dried apricots, sweet honeysuckle, subtle botrytis spice, orange cream on the nose. The palate is lively, medium bodied, mouth watering acidity, gorgeous fruit, peach pie, orange cream, honey, candied orange, dried pineapple, so tangy and fresh, greaty spice notes and caramelized sugar on a reverberatingly long finish. Oh yes, this is coming along nicely with a great mix of depth and sweetness buoyed beautifully by the vibrant acidity. This is in that great 10 year drinking window for Sauternes. Loved it. 95+ to 96pts.

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