Retail $65. Under cork. Over a dozen years ago, I visited the Willamette Valley for the first time. Tucked neatly under my arm was a book by John Winthrop Haeger that chronicled the important wineries of the region and those that were a "must-visit." Among those listed in Mr. Haeger's "required reading" was none other than Ayres--a tiny outpost in the Ribbon Ridge appellation, which, at least at the time, was selling their wares out of the garage just below the winery. Whoa. Now? Several years beyond the vintage? What a performance: great fruit, zingy tartness, and an off-the-charts verve factor.
Nose is slightly sweet and smokey. Medium dry in the mouth, smooth tannins with good firmness. Complex flavors of cherry, cranberry, wet oak with a hint of flower petals and tea on the back end.
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This is pretty lively still. Tannins are bold and the fruit is plenty bold as well. Decant, decant, decant. Medium dry, long finish. Excited to see how it evolves further in a few years.
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this bottle sat on the counter for a couple of weeks unopened. the first night opened it was nothing spectacular - a let down. the second night, the flavors were in full dance costume ... a tasty dance for sure, and very enjoyable. wish i would have opened it one night and left it until the next night
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Back for another visit. Much more mature this time: Same strawberry nose, strawberry in the mouth fading quickly towards the remnants of graham cracker flavor, finishing nicely with good earthiness. Really enjoyed this.
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i thought this wine was fabulous and really drinking well right now. it took an hour for the wine to open up but once it did ... rich, structured and just a great hearty OR PN. No wimpy wine in that bottle ... i am really looking forward to the remaining bottles. One of the better OR PN from '08 that i have had so far ...
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I'm not sure I'm enjoying this more because I opened it as a dedication to my late friend Bob Wood or not, but I am very much enjoying this Oregon Pinot Noir. The uniqueness of Oregon fruit is evident, but I like that this is a bit more substantive in mouthfeel, much like Belle Pente Murto. Darker in color than I would have expected, but remarkably light on the edges - practically clear. Fantastic fruit on the palate, building to the finish, which I very much enjoy. Cheers, Bob - this truly is 'swill' in the best sense of the word...
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Nose: Reticent nose which opens over time to reveal bubble gum, red and strawberry fruit and a little spice.
Taste: Strawberry and light blackberry overtones which are still developing in bottle but leaves you wanting for more of something. Straightforward and pleasant but lacks the mid-palate to let you enjoy the one true asset which this wine is trying to sell to you- fruit. The acidity is a welcome participant to the party that keep this wine from falling flat.
Overall: A balanced wine that is a little young with decent fruit but a short finish. This wine delivers for what it is but nothing more- a decent village wine that is true to Willamette Valley. Some upside and best from 2013.
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Popped and poured. I found it tight and astringent initially. The nose is rich - a bit subtle where I didn't notice much aroma at all initially - with dark fruits and some forrest smells.
A well balanced pinot that is restrained while a bit acidic and is very similar to the Penner Ash Willamette bottlings I've had. The most remarkable aspect of this wine is the long aftertaste that continues to evolve for 30+ seconds.
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Wow - this is a big pinot. Incredible depth of fruit - much more than any other Oregon pinot noir I have ever had. Needs some time (I would say another 5 years at least) to let the fruit and structure blend, but the raw ingredients are here. Just give it time. This is a wine to be enjoyed over a 2-3 hour period I would suggest - I tasted alongside many other wines but I think it needs time to breathe and stretch its legs.
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Opened at cellar temp. Left to aerate and come to temperature for 2 hours. Dark, ripe cherries and blackberries dominate the aromas. Subtle notes of earth and grilled meat. In the mouth there is a pleasant acidity and velvety tannins. Decent grip and juicy structure. Firm, but rounded mid-palate weight. Balanced, and progression to the finish is smooth. Medium-long finish. Can use some years of age, but enjoyable now. A great example of an 08 Oregon pinot.
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Great value pinot that I can't get enough of. Really opens up after about an hour. Very harmonious and beautfiful. Have more, will be hard pressed not to drink all at once.
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Decanted but drank immediately. I got a bunch of random 08 Oregon pinot from the WineBerserkers.com anniversary celebration. So I know that I am drinking these too young, but I am trying to learn more about the region's pinot. So to say this is tight at the start, would be an understatement. Did round out with air with lovely dark cherries, smoke, and a hint of sweet spices. Nice medium weight fruit on the palate with good earthy characteristics, mild tannin, and well balanced acid. Should improve with age.
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9/16/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 95 Points
Retail $65. Under cork. Over a dozen years ago, I visited the Willamette Valley for the first time. Tucked neatly under my arm was a book by John Winthrop Haeger that chronicled the important wineries of the region and those that were a "must-visit." Among those listed in Mr. Haeger's "required reading" was none other than Ayres--a tiny outpost in the Ribbon Ridge appellation, which, at least at the time, was selling their wares out of the garage just below the winery. Whoa. Now? Several years beyond the vintage? What a performance: great fruit, zingy tartness, and an off-the-charts verve factor.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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12/16/2019 - onthenose Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose is slightly sweet and smokey. Medium dry in the mouth, smooth tannins with good firmness. Complex flavors of cherry, cranberry, wet oak with a hint of flower petals and tea on the back end.
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4/22/2018 - onthenose Likes this wine: 89 Points
This is pretty lively still. Tannins are bold and the fruit is plenty bold as well. Decant, decant, decant. Medium dry, long finish. Excited to see how it evolves further in a few years.
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7/29/2015 - mdfuller Likes this wine: 91 Points
this bottle sat on the counter for a couple of weeks unopened. the first night opened it was nothing spectacular - a let down. the second night, the flavors were in full dance costume ... a tasty dance for sure, and very enjoyable. wish i would have opened it one night and left it until the next night
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2/9/2014 - oropeza Likes this wine: 91 Points
Back for another visit. Much more mature this time: Same strawberry nose, strawberry in the mouth fading quickly towards the remnants of graham cracker flavor, finishing nicely with good earthiness. Really enjoyed this.
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7/27/2013 - mdfuller Likes this wine: 92 Points
i thought this wine was fabulous and really drinking well right now. it took an hour for the wine to open up but once it did ... rich, structured and just a great hearty OR PN. No wimpy wine in that bottle ... i am really looking forward to the remaining bottles. One of the better OR PN from '08 that i have had so far ...
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7/14/2013 - suburbanfrog Likes this wine: 90 Points
I felt like right now maybe this wine is just starting a decline, but still drinking nicely. Could also be in a bit of a "dumb" phase.
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3/12/2013 - Todd French Likes this wine:
I'm not sure I'm enjoying this more because I opened it as a dedication to my late friend Bob Wood or not, but I am very much enjoying this Oregon Pinot Noir. The uniqueness of Oregon fruit is evident, but I like that this is a bit more substantive in mouthfeel, much like Belle Pente Murto. Darker in color than I would have expected, but remarkably light on the edges - practically clear. Fantastic fruit on the palate, building to the finish, which I very much enjoy. Cheers, Bob - this truly is 'swill' in the best sense of the word...
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11/4/2011 - last chance wrote: flawed
corked
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1/9/2011 - Chris Forno wrote: 88 Points
Decanting Regime:
Popped and poured.
Nose:
Reticent nose which opens over time to reveal bubble gum, red and strawberry fruit and a little spice.
Taste:
Strawberry and light blackberry overtones which are still developing in bottle but leaves you wanting for more of something. Straightforward and pleasant but lacks the mid-palate to let you enjoy the one true asset which this wine is trying to sell to you- fruit. The acidity is a welcome participant to the party that keep this wine from falling flat.
Overall:
A balanced wine that is a little young with decent fruit but a short finish. This wine delivers for what it is but nothing more- a decent village wine that is true to Willamette Valley. Some upside and best from 2013.
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12/25/2010 - DuaneT wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured. I found it tight and astringent initially. The nose is rich - a bit subtle where I didn't notice much aroma at all initially - with dark fruits and some forrest smells.
A well balanced pinot that is restrained while a bit acidic and is very similar to the Penner Ash Willamette bottlings I've had. The most remarkable aspect of this wine is the long aftertaste that continues to evolve for 30+ seconds.
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12/11/2010 - oropeza wrote: 90 Points
Strawberry patch on the nose. Graham cracker notes typical of Willmette Valley pinot. Lacks structure. Outstanding value @ $20.
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12/9/2010 - pjaines wrote:
Wow - this is a big pinot. Incredible depth of fruit - much more than any other Oregon pinot noir I have ever had. Needs some time (I would say another 5 years at least) to let the fruit and structure blend, but the raw ingredients are here. Just give it time. This is a wine to be enjoyed over a 2-3 hour period I would suggest - I tasted alongside many other wines but I think it needs time to breathe and stretch its legs.
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7/20/2010 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 92 Points
Earth forest cherry phenol.
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7/2/2010 - jakuda wrote:
Opened at cellar temp. Left to aerate and come to temperature for 2 hours. Dark, ripe cherries and blackberries dominate the aromas. Subtle notes of earth and grilled meat. In the mouth there is a pleasant acidity and velvety tannins. Decent grip and juicy structure. Firm, but rounded mid-palate weight. Balanced, and progression to the finish is smooth. Medium-long finish. Can use some years of age, but enjoyable now. A great example of an 08 Oregon pinot.
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2/21/2010 - ciesel wrote: 89 Points
Great value pinot that I can't get enough of. Really opens up after about an hour. Very harmonious and beautfiful. Have more, will be hard pressed not to drink all at once.
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2/13/2010 - jhannah27 wrote: 89 Points
Decanted but drank immediately. I got a bunch of random 08 Oregon pinot from the WineBerserkers.com anniversary celebration. So I know that I am drinking these too young, but I am trying to learn more about the region's pinot. So to say this is tight at the start, would be an understatement. Did round out with air with lovely dark cherries, smoke, and a hint of sweet spices. Nice medium weight fruit on the palate with good earthy characteristics, mild tannin, and well balanced acid. Should improve with age.
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2/7/2010 - ciesel wrote: 88 Points
Very good, not a standout, but great at the price.
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10/22/2009 - Iguanasneeze wrote: 91 Points
Better than the 2007. I tried one taste, and bought a case.
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