16th Annual Lyon 10 Year Retrospective

For the first time ever, we opened Oregon Pinots in this annual event. The bottles were opened but not decanted at least 2 hours before tasting. The bottles were brown bagged and a two person shell game ensued to make sure the tasting was blind and a ringer in 6 of the flights. Ringers were from Burgundy, California, and Italy. The notes I took are dinky because of the speed needed to pour through almost 40 wines.

Also brown bagged for your guessing pleasure

• 2002 Ployez-Jacquemart Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Vintage 90 Points

  France, Champagne

  This stood out for being more crisp, dry, and dominated by chardonnay notes. Very vinous. Excellent, but not the depth and balance of the Bollinger.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  This bottle screams "Champagne" with tenor notes of stone fruit, the alto hitting citrus high notes, and the bass singing the breadline. Great balance.

  Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  A great way to start this tasting of 02's. Deep black cherry and plum fruit along with some spice. Very round and smooth. Substantial backbone w/o being overtly tannic. Sediment was notable compared to others. 92 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Domaine Marius Delarche Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Vergelesses 85 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru

  Very lean on the palate. Light red fruit, some mineral notes, and acidity. Stuck out as a ringer. DOA on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Pommard Clone Shea Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Immediately bigger and more obvious than the previous wine (Burg). Dark cherry fruit and a wet stone note, along w/ lingering tannins stood out from the crowd. 88 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

  Just a very nice "typical" OPN w/ great balance. Good fruit berry fruit and medium body. Made people linger. Not particularly deep or complex.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Eason Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Tiny bit of petillance noted. Earthiest wine of the flight. A little cocoa and spice with the red cherry, berry fruit. Not a great bottle.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Archery Summit Estate 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Still has a nice dark color w/ deep black fruit. Slightly hot and tannic and almost "smash mouth" (? overextracted) for its age. Fun but not for every Pinot lover. 90 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Elton 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Stood out for its ripeness. Black cherry and plum, with a cinnamon note. Long mellow finish. Similar on day two, 91pts.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Elizabeth's Reserve 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains

  Dark and deep w/ some cocoa and earth notes added to the black fruit. Glycerin/"sweet" component made it stand out a bit. Not "typical" elegant pinot.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Soter Pinot Noir Beacon Hill 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

  A top 3 wine out of 35 in this blind tasting. Deep black cherry fruit with spice and structure and length... and... and. Difficult to leave. 90 on day 2

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

  Another great wine in this flight. Perhaps the best mouthfeel/ texture. Dusty cherry and some add'l berries went on and on. Even has some backbone still. 91 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

The PG Four Winds was poured as a "bonus" after the disappointing PG Estate

• 2002 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Red Hills Estate 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  A decent start to difficult flight. This is even better than a bottle had in '08. Very smooth red fruit and minerals, w/ a hint of smoke. Nice long finish. 89 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard Flawed

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Muted fruit and wet cardboard = TCA

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Bouchard Père et Fils Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Clos St. Marc 87 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru

  Very mature/ evolved. Lean red fruit and minerals w/ a hint of forest floor / duff. All acid the next day.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Anden 84 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Medium bodied wine w/ tart cherry berry flavors and good length. Problem: small hit of ethyl acetate picked up by Doyle. Still drinkable for most of us, but NOT TONIGHT w/ so many good wines...

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Yamhill County Flawed

  USA, Oregon, Yamhill County

  corked

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Four Winds 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville

  Not bad at all for its age. A hint of brick at the rim. Very smooth on the palate with cherry pie, cinnamon/spice and a little earth. Moderate acidity. On plateau.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Henry Estate Pinot Noir Barrel Select 86 Points

  USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Umpqua Valley

  This was a bit off. Nice texture and decent fruit w/a touch of Madeira and heat.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 85 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  A dark wine w/a hint of raisin / Amarone like character to its black fruit. Not "bad", but not great. I know PA's do better than this...

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Bergström Pinot Noir Arcus 94 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  My WOTN. This has deep black cherry, blackberry fruit w/o being heavy. Spice notes dot the i's and cross the t's. Some notable glycerin adds to the luxurious mouthfeel. Nice backbone and length. 93 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Kistler Pinot Noir Kistler Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Deep ripe fruit with some spice, earth, and rose notes. Then the tannins hit MID-palate! This was the only one out of 35 wines to do that this night.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Medici Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate East Block 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Medium everything: color, nose, depth, length, and balance. Literally nothing stood out and sometimes that's good! Just a very nice taste o' Pinot.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Broadley Vineyards Pinot Noir Claudia's Choice 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  One of the biggest, most unevolved of the bunch --- and that seems to be the goal at this winery. A dark wine w/ sweet cherry, berry and spice notes. 91 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Ken Wright Pinot Noir McCrone Vineyard 80 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

  So 3 out of four Ken Wrights in this tasting came out ok with their "synth a corks", this one didn't. Not TCA but a bit pruney/ oxidized. Black fruit, plum, and some acidity. You'd drink it if you were stuck w/o back up. We were not stuck...

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Bergström Pinot Noir Bergström Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  A great wine with depth and balance and structure. Black cherry, mocha, and earth. Goes on and on. 92+ on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Bressan Pinot Nero 83 Points

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT

  Doesn't fit in well blind w/ OPN's. It was lean and green. Tart cherries and spice with floral and forest notes. On its own with the right food, maybe...

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

  May have benefitted from following the Bressan. It has deep cherry, berry, cola, and forest floor notes. Great balance and length.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Broadley Vineyards Pinot Noir Marcile Lorraine 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Another "baby" from Broadley! A mouthfull of dark fruit supported by sturdy but supple tannins. No change on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Guadalupe Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Bold ripe fruit in a classic well aged wine. Pure pleasure w/ cherry pie, plum, and a touch of earthiness on the backside. 91 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Arcus Estate 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  A bit overblown compared to others in this tasting, but still an excellent wine (if you don't mind a pinot w/ more testosterone than most). Dark fruits, mocha, tar, and oak are notable. Maybe better the next day, 91.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Hamacher Pinot Noir Oregon 90 Points

  USA, Oregon

  Another wine that has held up very well. Black cherry, spice, and earth supported by significant tannins.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Maison Alex Gambal Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 86 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

  Another ringer that stood out -- in a not great way. Lean red cherries, minerals/ stone; quite drinkable but may need Hospice soon.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Notable for its velvety texture and a little more grip than most. Red cherries, strawberries, and a floral hit. 89 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Brick House Pinot Noir Cuvée du Tonnelier Flawed

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  corked

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Shea Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  This was in the top 3 for me. Black cherry pie, with all the spices, berries, and some earth were notable. Great depth and structure. 91 on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Campion Pinot Noir 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  A bit on the lean and mean side. Tart red fruit with some tannins that seem to be winning. Enjoyable but couldn't compete.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2002 Broadley Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate 82 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  This wine was SLIGHTLY corked we think. Just like my pug, this bottle has no nose. The mouthfeel, fruit, and structure were there on the palate.

  Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

with salted dark chocolate caramels and Oregon Duck cookies

• 2002 Domaine Jo Pithon Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru Les Varennes 89 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru

  This wine has the obligate medium gold color with a nose of honeyed stone fruit, some tropical notes, and tart citrus. Medium depth and body. Sweetness is there but not quite the acidity. Every Baumard QdC we've had has been better than this.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

The surprises of the night included:
1. How well the 2002 OPN's are holding up after ten years, we expected more to be pushing daisies.
2. The ringers stood out significantly.
3. How many off bottles there were.
Cheers!
Mark and Denise