May 1, 2014 - Its orange and its here.
January 25, 2014 - Ok, is it supposed to be an orange wine? I guess it is. Rather straight ahead for all of that, yet with some interest. I may be drinking it on day three too.
Given everyone else's comments I must be drinking it on day three. I usually very much enjoy orange wines. There is definitely something here, just faded...
December 7, 2013 - Again... funky aromas of earth and spice with vibrant, fall seasonal fruits on the nose. Great texture on the palate with smooth acidity and the slightest touch of tannin lingering in the finish. Cloudy and unfiltered; I would screen the last glass or two for sediment. Excellent wine...
October 25, 2013 - There's so much complexity in this wine. The first thing that hits me is a savory meatiness, almost like smoked turkey, followed by a wave of red dirt and stone fruits with hints of pumpkin and apple cider. It really has a lot of dimensions to it, so much so that the first whiff was reminiscent of some 2011 Oregon Pinot noir I've recently tasted. The extended skin contact lends so much more to the wine in every category, especially on the palate, with flavors of ripe orange peel and rich earth. This wine has tannin, not much, but it's there. The acidity is balanced with great texture riding through to a long finish.
July 5, 2013 - I look forward to this wine every year and this one doesn't disappoint. A bit different than previous vintages, this one shows more lean and fruit-driven, having less of the funky, earth flavor that was in previous vintages. The fruit is really beautiful, ranging from oranges to cantaloupe to apple fruit. I love the finish, it has a funkiness that reminds me of sour fruit beer from one of my favorites, Cascade Brewing. The finish has this punch of sourness in a good way.... Paired with the acidity, gentle tannic feel and fruit intensity, this is just beautiful. This is such a cool wine, it's a different wine than it was the last two years, but it's still absolutely wonderful. 92+
May 26, 2013 - Willamette Valley for Memorial day weekend and a peak at 2012; 5/25/2013-5/26/2013: This was all concrete fermented and aged for 15 months in barrel. The most "normal" tasting Drueskall yet. I don't get, and miss a bit, those squash, pumpkin aromas that were on the previous two vintages of this. Though I think this will definitely have a wider appeal than the previous two vintages. The aromas here are only mildly funky, fairly tart, and pretty lean. Nice acidity on palate entry, with some good minerality and nice texture and flavor. A little chunky. The finish is lean. Really delicious fruity acidity with good length and moderate minerals (and slightly metallic notion). A very enjoyable effort, but not offering the levels of complexity of previous years.
April 19, 2013 - Loved this. Tasted at near room temperature. The bouquet was fascinating, with notes of tart red berries, grapefruit, and a bit of wood. It's an incredibly textural wine on the palate, with grippy tannin and medium acidity. More citrus and wood flavors course through the mid palate, ending in a burst of integrated tannin across the finish. An outstanding wine.
March 6, 2013 - Is this a natural wine? Not sure but it sure is good. Kind of a dirty salmon color, pretty hazy. Really fascinating nose, salty, savory and a little meaty. Faint fruits on palate and really quite delicious. Great balance and not like anything I have tried in a long time and paired well with smorgasbord of leftovers.
March 2, 2013 - Another Saturday at Domaine (Domaine Wine Storage, Chicago IL): Nose: Very complex with tones of white florals, spices, peaches, pears, white fruits, and some bits of orange peels. There is very good depth with an extra complexity from the skin contact.
Taste: There is a really attractive lighter feel with medium+ acidity that is crisp and noticeable. There is good complexity to the tones of white florals, peaches, white fruits, orange peels and spice tones.
Overall: This was a gorgeous pinot gris that had extended skin contact. This saw 14 days on skins and the wine had a orange/salmon color. One of the more impressive Pinot Gris' that I've had.
August 16, 2012 - Wine Blogger's Conference 2012- Oregon Wines; 8/15/2012-8/18/2012 (Portland, OR): Tasted at 2012 Wine Blogger's Conference. Tasted from barrel. Salmon hue. Aromas of honey, wild oats, straw and melon. Orange zest flavors with savory depth. Flourishes of mineral. Fleshy and fine. Rich finish, medium in length. Very nice.