Oregon pinot extravaganza

Over dinner, a group of friends were introduced to four of my favorite Oregon producers. Four wines from Dundee Hills and one Ribbon Ridge.

• 2007 Cameron Blanc Clos Electrique 93 Points

  USA, Oregon

  Lovely - this now has four years on its shoulders and is in perfect shape. A round, honey-tinged, fruit core with freshness and elegance.

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• 2006 Thomas Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  At first, the funkiness is almost overpowering. There is good fruit underneath, though. After decanting and several hours the fruit comes to the fore as the funkiness fades. A herbal, sage like quality also stands out after several hours, which I did not notice at first. On the plus side, one also has to mention that this has so much more structure than most other 2006 oregon pinot noirs I have tried. Not to say it is anything like the 2008s we tried side by side with this.

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• 2002 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Right off the start, beautiful dark berries and pinot aromas seek their ways up from the big boules we are pouring this into. Lovely and charming, beautifully integrated fruit and deftly applied oak, it starts to unfold quite fast, first with blackberries, cola and vanilla, then opening up to licorice root and bbq smoke as well as mushy leaves.
  
  After a few hours though, the wine feels like it has just a little weaker legs to stand on. It is still a delight to drink, but the descent is clear; and I am guessing this is beyond peak.
  
  Now, it has not been perfectly stored during transatlantic transports so that may account for any sign of perhaps being just a little ways over the hill.

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• 2008 Cameron Pinot Noir Abbey Ridge 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  First, this is lighter and driven by flavors of primary berries. Good structure, but it does not have as much grip, and it is not packing as much sweet fruit intensity as other high end oregon 2008 pinot noir.
  
  Though, after decanting and some air time, the elegant structure of this wine starts to speak out for itself. With pinot, I guess one should not be fooled by the appearance of (relatively speaking) lack of weight or body.
  
  Clearly a step lighter than other wines we tried same night, this is classic, pure pinot with minerals and acidity with red berries. Dundee hills greatness in a bottle. And interestingly enough, no hint of Cameron funkiness on this bottle. And at the end of a long wine soaked dinner that feels refreshing.

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• 2008 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Old Vine Estate Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

  This is singing. Same feeling as last time, of a perfect meeting between grip, structure, elegance and complexity but also lots of dark sweet fruit with a subtle oak spiciness. Was even better after spending some time in a decanter.

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The two Cameron wines showed really well and were tied for wine of the night with Patricia Green's estate old vine. The Laurene was really charming but dropped of over the course of the evening. The Thomas had a tight, unpleasant funkiness at first, but made great strides once that smell blew off. All in all, these were excellent wines with many similarities and high qualities.