Pinot & Cab New Year

Opened three Willamette Valley Pinot Noir's and a Napa and Columbia Valley Cab for New Year's Eve dinner with neighbors and friends. I have been a big fan of Willamette Valley Pinot - especially the Eola-Amity Hills region - ever since our first trip there a year ago. And Stags Leap Districk Cabs are perennial favorites! Preferences were as follows:

Pinot Noir
1. 2006 Cristom Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard - Eola Amity-Hills Region
2. 2006 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve - Eola Amity Hills Region
3. 2006 Chehalem Pinot Noir Reserve - Ribbon Ridge Region

Cabernet Sauvignon
1. 2002 Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon - Stags Leap District
2. 2002 Apex Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley

The evening finished with NV Graham Beck Brut to toast the new year.

• 2006 Cristom Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

  Bright raspberry aroma w/ a hint of coffee. Raspberry flavor dominates with hints of dried tobacco, spice and minerals. Silky smooth throughout with great structure and medium to long finish.

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• 2006 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

  Wonderful cherry aroma w/ a hint of forest floor. Bright cherry flavor w/ hint of spices, citrus and minerals. Great structure and mouth filling chewiness leading to a nice long finish.

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• 2006 Chehalem Pinot Noir Reserve 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Cherry & baking spice aroma. Dark cherry and baking spice flavor with noticeable acidity and nice medium finish.

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• 2002 Pine Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  Dark berry & a hint of mocha aroma. Dark cherry, chocolate flavor w/a hint of leather. Silky smooth tannins and a nice long finish.

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• 2002 Apex Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  Much the same as before but perhaps a bit smoother. Aroma of sweet plum with overtones of basil. Blackberry and black cherry dominate in the mouth. Medium tannins with light acidity with a light peppery medium/long finish.

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• NV Graham Beck Chardonnay Brut 88 Points

  South Africa, Western Cape

  Great value sparkling wine. Fruity and nice yeast overtones w/ a hint of sweetness up front and a nice long dry finish.

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These all paired very well with pork and medium rare beef tenderloin and went especially well with Spanish dark chocolate & hazel nuts for desert.