Dundee Hills Passport Tour

Dundee Hills AVA, OR
Tasted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by RPerro with 848 views

Introduction

Myself and 3 friends trucked down to Dundee, OR for the annual Passport Tour. A $10 passport (ours was a lame sheet of paper, as they ran out of actual passports) purchased at Four Graces Winery gets you into most Dundee Hills wineries at a greatly reduced cost (Archery Summit is typically $20, and cost $7 with a passport). We arrived rather late in the day, so after getting our passports and a tasting at Four Graces, set about hitting the big names.

Flight 1 - The Four Graces (5 Notes)

Free tasting with $10 passport purchase.

  • 2008 The Four Graces Pinot Gris 88 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    First wine of the day. Light, crisp and slightly sweet, with some nice tropical fruits.

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  • 2009 The Four Graces Pinot Blanc 85 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    Millions of peaches...peaches for me. This wine is all about the peaches. And I really don't like peaches...

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  • 2007 The Four Graces Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 85 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    None of us could get past the super-funky smell of this wine. Very barnyard...horse manure, saddle blanket, poop, were some of the descriptive words floating around in our group, that I'm able to repeat here. One bonus, we proved, through a test with water, that the entire contents of a 750ml bottle of wine will fit in a Riedel Oregon Pinot glass, with several cm. left at the top.

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  • 2007 The Four Graces Pinot Noir Reserve Dundee Hills 87 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    Still lots of FUNK in this Pinot, although not quite as noticeable as in the regular bottling. Some cherry fruit is also evident, although still masked by the leather-funkiness.

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  • 2007 The Four Graces Pinot Noir Reserve Dundee Hills 89 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    Now we're talking! This wine is from the top block of their estate vineyard, aged in 100% new French oak for 1 year. And finally the funk is integrated! I get a lot of oak notes in this one, with nice smooth cherry fruit gliding over my tongue. Still a baby of a wine, that will definitely improve with age.

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Flight 2 - Archery Summit (4 Notes)

$7 tasting fee with passport.

  • 2007 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Premier Cuvée 90 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    First wine at Archery Summit, poured outside on their patio. Nice, elegant cherry fruit, with a nice dose of dirt mixed in. Smooth and easy drinking, this one.

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  • 2000 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Renegade Ridge Estate 91 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    Yes, you read that right. 2000 vintage. A 10 year-old Pinot, and its drinking like it was just released! Wow. Impressive, Archery Summit! No sign of age in the color, aromas or flavors of this wine. No pruney, porty, stewed fruit. Just crisp, bright cherry fruit, earth, and a hint of saddle leather. Tasty! Poured in the wine cave.

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  • 2007 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Red Hills Estate 89 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    Somewhat of a letdown after the incredible 2000 Renegade Ridge. Served in the dark wine cave, it was hard to notice the color, but this was definitely lighter and much more elegant than the fruit-driven 2000 Renegade Ridge. Light cherries, some oak, and that signature leather.

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  • 2006 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Arcus Estate 91 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    Arcus. Need I say more? And from the 2006 vintage, one of my favorites. Typically their longest-lived wine, this is still drinking like a baby. Sweet black cherry, with earth, oak notes, and a creaminess that is quite interesting. Served in the winery's tasting room, which was clogged with people.

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Flight 3 - Domaine Drouhin (4 Notes)

$5 tasting fee with passport.

  • 2008 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Chardonnay Arthur 86 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    First wine at DDO. Nice pear fruit, pretty crisp on the acidity. Would work well with a fish dish or as a summer sipper.

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  • 2009 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Édition Rosé 88 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    Very nice rose of Pinot. This would rock with some salmon. Was very tempted to adopt a bottle or two, but resisted the temptation (at least so far). Very light and refreshing, to be consumed (per the winery) within 3-6 months tops.

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  • 2007 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir 87 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

    Not very exciting...2007 vintage, light, with some elegance that is becoming the trademark of this vintage in Oregon. But lacking the mouth-filling fruit I prefer in my Pinots. Cherry and leather flavors.

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  • 2006 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène 90 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    This is the wine I've been waiting to try at this winery. 2006 vintage, nice solid mouthful of cherry fruit, with a great earthy backbone. Best wine here, but falling behind the Archery Summit Arcus today. Wish we could have gotten a taste of the "Louise", as I hear she would have given Arcus a run for its money.

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Flight 4 - Vista Hills (5 Notes)

$5 tasting fee with passport.

Flight 5 - Dobbes (4 Notes)

$5 tasting fee with passport. The most crowded tasting room, due to the winery being open the latest (6pm) in the area.

Closing

Great event, that I will need to take advantage of again. Fun area, nice wineries, and not too heavy a crowd anywhere, except Archery Summit and maybe Dobbes. My only regret was missing the 4pm closing of Winderlea Vineyard by 10 minutes. One day I will make it to their tasting room!

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