David Adelsheim Tasting

An informal tasting with the owner of Adelsheim.
The presentation was great - Adelsheim is true wine royalty. At the same time he is down to earth and charming. He clearly believes in letting the grape and the land show with minimalist winemaking intervention.
A few things stood out about the wines - long, long finishes, great acidity, and a complex texture on the palate.
Wish some of the guests had shut the hell up (and silenced their cell phones) while Adelsheim was talking.

• 2007 Adelsheim Pinot Blanc

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Citrus notes; melon; mineral.
  Fairly full mid palate considering the acidity. bright acid, lime zest, limeade. long finish. Tart, lemonhead candy. Bracing.
  Rich texture on the palate.

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• 2007 Adelsheim Pinot Gris Willamette Valley

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Fuller and fatter nose than the Pinot Blanc.
  More melon.
  Pleasant bitter notes. Limes, mineral.
  
  Much fatter midpalate. Long finish.
  
  Marzapan.

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• 2006 Adelsheim Chardonnay

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Aromatic for Chard. Nose of cheese, nuts, ripe ripe apples (almost cider), and lime.
  Fat on the palate (relative to prior wines) but with loads of acidity. Red apples, very faint and subtle notes of oak and spice.
  Long finish. Gorgeous.

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• 2007 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Intense and fragrant nose. Savory and fruity. Fall spices. Vanilla, cherry.
  Palate reminds me of Primarius. Silky and smooth. Tart (a touch of pleasant bitterness). Spicy. Long finish.
  Better nose than palate but damn good. Amazingly fresh.

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• 2007 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Elizabeth's Reserve

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains

  Nose hits me with strawberry jam. Intense nose. Licorice.
  Palate was tart but silky; very savory; touch of meat. Raspberries, some spice.
  Beautifully put together wine.

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• 1989 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Elizabeth's Reserve

  USA, Oregon, Yamhill County

  First time I've ever added a totally new wine to CT!
  Strawberries, earth, and smoked almonds! Soy.
  A savory silky smooth palate. Richly textured. So fat and rich and full.
  Finish was crisp and refreshing.
  Ridiculous wine.

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• 1999 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Elizabeth's Reserve

  USA, Oregon, Yamhill County

  Much less strawberry than the 07 and 89.
  More spice than fruit; lots of earth funk and mushroom. True forest floor.
  Palate was pleasantly bitter - dark chocolate. Smooth but with firmer, chewier tannins than the 07.
  Really insanely good. Very much alive and vibrant. Will go for years.

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• 2007 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Deglacé

  USA, Oregon, Yamhill County

  Sweet and delicious. Complex without rot. Plenty of acidity. Crazy production method!

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A beautiful tasting.