Oregon Pinots young and old
Browntrout, Chicago IL
Tasted Thursday, September 9, 2010 by KeithAkers with 571 views
Introduction
Initially this was gonna be all older OR pinots, but we decided to open things up a bit and have some younger ones in the mix as well
Flight 1 (11 Notes)
Closing
The older ones were rather disappointing on the whole. It happens, but thankfully the younger ones saved the day so that we had some wine that was drinking
1997 Soter Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Beacon Hill 91 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
nose: very pretty and aromatic nose filled with lemon peels, almonds, white florals, citrus tones and some bits of wet stones. Well balanced and polished with a mature sense to it as well
taste: well balanced with a polished medium feel and still showing some real backbone with medium/high acidity along with round tones of lemon peels, almonds, citrus tones and a good bit of mineral and wet stone tones
overall: this was drinking great. It could still go a while longer, but it can also be very well enjoyed right now. I would've benefited from air and a smaller crowd, but that's just how it was
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1988 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 89 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: pretty and demure nose of red fruits, plums, red cherries, violets, and some high toned spices. The tones came and went while in the glass, but there was a very aromatic style to it
taste: light on the palate with pretty and elegant tones of red cherries, red fruits, violets and some plum tones. Medium acidity backed this up, but it was feeling a bit weak on the palate
overall: this wine has seen its best days, but it was still a very pretty wine. The aromas stole the show with this and if the palate could've lived up, it would've been a real beauty. Still, this was a wine well worth experiencing
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1991 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
sadly it was DOA
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1995 Archery Summit Pinot Noir Premier Cuvée 82 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: dark and meaty nose with tones of dark red cherries, smoke, peppery tones and some roasted herbs. It was different from what we were expecting and had some power behind it
taste: medium bodied with some tones of dark red cherries, smoke, roasted herbs and some spices. Good intensity on the tones, but the acidity is out of whack and the wine falls off on the mid-palate and finish
overall: wasn't fully sure what to expect from this wine. It was drinkable, but it felt like it was on the downslope and wasn't all that fun to drink due to the acidity
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1998 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 90 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
nose: very interesting and nebbiolo-like nose of spice tones, roasted herbs, dark red cherries, red fruits and some bits of plums. Nice depth with a real expressive quality to the nose
taste: pretty and elegant medium feel with medium acidity and balanced tones of spices, roasted herbs, dark red cherries and a good bit of red fruits. Everything is well in place and the feel has a silkyness as well
overall: finally a bottle that is showing some maturity while also seeming like a good bottle. The nose was a lot of fun and the palate was showing some nice class
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1999 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 87 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: rich and dark nose of red cherries, red currants, some plums, red fruits and candy tones. There is a more intense side to the nose
taste: fuller bodied with rich tones of red cherries, red currants, plums and some red fruits. A bit chunky on the palate and the the acidity is a bit astringent on the finish
overall: not sure how much aging helped this wine. Its a fuller bodied wine and drinks fairly well. There is a chunky side to it though that doesn't seem like it will round out
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2001 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Louise 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: there is a very perfumed take with pretty tones of dark red fruits, dark berries, flowers, and red cherries. On the understated side on the nose that opens up nicely in the glass
taste: elegant medium body with medium+ acidity and pretty tones of dark berries, dark red fruits, fresh picked flowers, red cherries and some bits of incense as well. Very well balanced with a real sense of class to it on the palate
overall: finally a good wine on the night. A lot of the previous wines had been lacking in one way or the other, but we were finally treated to something good. The more feminine style to it made it very attractive and it really shone through after it got some air
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2001 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard 91 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
nose: there is a real richness and intensity on the nose with tones of red fruits, dark red cherries, plums, red florals, spice tones, and a bit of candy tones. Well layered on the nose with excellent depth as well
taste: fuller bodied with medium+ acidity and rich tones of dark red cherries, red fruits, spice tones and bits of red florals. Well balanced with very good depth, it was seeming like it was holding back a bit on the palate
overall: this is still very young and primary. There is very good balance to this right now, but it seems like it has some real room to improve
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2003 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir 90 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
nose: on the chunkier side with tones of dark red cherries, liqueur tones, red currants and spice tones. Good depth, but showing more of the heat of vintage
taste: medium/full bodied with rich and dark tones of dark red cherries, red currants, smoke, spices and bits of liqueur tones. The chunkiness continues on the palate as well
overall: not sure what age will do for this at this point. It shows off the vintage qualities, but it isn't overly done or anything like that.
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2005 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Belle Pente Vineyard 91 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
nose: well balanced and fruitful nose of raspberries, red cherries, red currants, candied red fruits, berries and spice tones. Well balanced with good depth
taste: very nice and silky medium feel with medium+ acidity and fresh tones of raspberries, red cherries, candied red fruits, and spice tones. Nice and plush on the palate right now
overall: this needs some time to fully round into form. The acidity is certainly noticeable right now and there are some good tannins as well. This will be fun to see where it goes
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2005 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène 93 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
nose: gorgeous and flowing nose of dark red fruits, potting soil tones, dark plums spices and a touch of red florals. Good depth and very expressive at this young age
taste: lovely and caressing medium/full feel with medium+ acidity with tones of dark red fruits, dark plums, spice tones and red florals. Very well balanced and very elegant on the palate right now, but with some silky tannins to boot
overall: this certainly does need some time to fully show itself. But, this is a real classy pinot right now and will certainly get better with time.
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