Almost 5 years since the last CT note. Really interesting nose of dark berries, some nice earthy funk, and an interesting aromatic spicy sweet pickle note; pretty dark fruit flavors that hold well through the midpalate, a touch of funk, mocha, and perfectly integrated tannins, with a nice long fruity finish. Still drinking well - I enjoyed it (although I have no idea what this tasted like 5 years ago).
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One of the best Oregon PNs I have tasted in awhile. Although it promised a lot when I bought it, this wine has improved tremendously since then. The nose exploded with cherry - I got no raspberry but then I have never tasted what Harvey Steiman tastes in any Northwest wine. A very nicely integrated wine with a long, long finish.
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This second bottle made a much stronger impression on me than the first. Clear, dark ruby color. Light nose. Medium body. Beyond that no distinct flavors other than PN stood out. No oak or tannin. Not even the blackberry and raspberry that the WA and WS found. But it is just an incredibly balanced, integrated drink. The WA called it masculine. I am wondering if this is what is meant by Burgundian. I have 2 more bottles to track its development. Served with a grilled rack of lamb and asparagus and then blue cheese (Oregonzola) and pear.
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Pleasant wine, but fairly simple tasting. I suspect that the WS window of 2006 is much more accurate than the WA 2011. Hard to believe that this will get much better. It has already thrown some sediment.
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This wine is still very young. This is the third bottle I've opened, one upon release two years ago, one a year ago, and tonight. I have finally learned my lesson an will let my remaining bottles sleep. If you must attempt, splash decant and give it lots of air to open.
Very dark ruby to the edges. Dark cherry, anise, and clove, more clean than funky (not that I mind the funk). Fine tannins and nice acid. A very well balanced wine. An old fashioned wine, no micro-oxygenation occured here. This baby just needs cellar time. While it is a beautiful wine now, it should only get better.
It always surprises me that Chehalem doesn't get more recognition. It is probably due to it's style. If someone orders their wine in a restaurant and it's served young and without serious decanting time, it will not show very well. Their wines reward patience.
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Red cherry with hints of strawberry that are starting to fade. Fruit is still ok but short and simple with little spice to add nuance or complexity. Still good acidity. Not nearly as interesting as a couple of years ago.
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Dark purple, yet the flavors are nice and elegant red fruit - strawberry and red cherry. A bit of structure that needs a little time to integrate, but not more than another year or so - the final couple of glasses left for the second night were flat and less interesting.
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6/17/2023 - Joelene wrote: 91 Points
Drinking nicely, on the dark fruit side of Pinot, a touch Burgundy like. Better after 3-4 hours air….
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11/16/2010 - wahoo70 wrote: 89 Points
Almost 5 years since the last CT note. Really interesting nose of dark berries, some nice earthy funk, and an interesting aromatic spicy sweet pickle note; pretty dark fruit flavors that hold well through the midpalate, a touch of funk, mocha, and perfectly integrated tannins, with a nice long fruity finish. Still drinking well - I enjoyed it (although I have no idea what this tasted like 5 years ago).
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1/15/2006 - bear wrote: 94 Points
One of the best Oregon PNs I have tasted in awhile. Although it promised a lot when I bought it, this wine has improved tremendously since then. The nose exploded with cherry - I got no raspberry but then I have never tasted what Harvey Steiman tastes in any Northwest wine. A very nicely integrated wine with a long, long finish.
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7/3/2005 - rkorchid wrote: 90 Points
This second bottle made a much stronger impression on me than the first. Clear, dark ruby color. Light nose. Medium body. Beyond that no distinct flavors other than PN stood out. No oak or tannin. Not even the blackberry and raspberry that the WA and WS found. But it is just an incredibly balanced, integrated drink. The WA called it masculine. I am wondering if this is what is meant by Burgundian. I have 2 more bottles to track its development. Served with a grilled rack of lamb and asparagus and then blue cheese (Oregonzola) and pear.
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3/28/2005 - rkorchid wrote:
Pleasant wine, but fairly simple tasting. I suspect that the WS window of 2006 is much more accurate than the WA 2011. Hard to believe that this will get much better. It has already thrown some sediment.
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11/14/2004 - Al Ehrhardt wrote:
This wine is still very young. This is the third bottle I've opened, one upon release two years ago, one a year ago, and tonight. I have finally learned my lesson an will let my remaining bottles sleep. If you must attempt, splash decant and give it lots of air to open.
Very dark ruby to the edges. Dark cherry, anise, and clove, more clean than funky (not that I mind the funk). Fine tannins and nice acid. A very well balanced wine. An old fashioned wine, no micro-oxygenation occured here. This baby just needs cellar time. While it is a beautiful wine now, it should only get better.
It always surprises me that Chehalem doesn't get more recognition. It is probably due to it's style. If someone orders their wine in a restaurant and it's served young and without serious decanting time, it will not show very well. Their wines reward patience.
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4/12/2004 - Burgundy Al wrote: 87 Points
Red cherry with hints of strawberry that are starting to fade. Fruit is still ok but short and simple with little spice to add nuance or complexity. Still good acidity. Not nearly as interesting as a couple of years ago.
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10/4/2002 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Dark purple, yet the flavors are nice and elegant red fruit - strawberry and red cherry. A bit of structure that needs a little time to integrate, but not more than another year or so - the final couple of glasses left for the second night were flat and less interesting.
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