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IPNC Weekend 2018

Linfield College, McMinnville, OR

Tasted July 26, 2018 - August 2, 2018 by rocknroller with 518 views

Introduction

This was our first time venturing out for IPNC. We had a really fun group with Siggy, Candace, Lonny, Matt L, Jason and Tracy G, and Vicki and I. It was a wonderful experience to bask in the glory of Oregon wine country and enjoy talking with the winemakers and growers in such an up close fashion. The food through the weekend was outstanding too with many area chefs contributing to the event's success. It is also amazing to see the number of volunteers that make this event happen. A special shout out to our favorite flashy Somm "Ric Ecrane" who really made our experience fantastic all weekend long. Hopefully no one will glean his true identity. We'll be back at some point to do it all over again. I tried to document as many of the wines as possible. Many notes are very brief and gut impressions.

Flight 2 - Bistro Maison (10 notes)

Northern Rhone Theme

White - Sparkling
2002 Lanson Champagne Noble Cuvée de Lanson Blanc de Blancs Brut France, Champagne
93 points
Light gold color. Drank a glass over an hour. This had another gear tonight, and I found it particularly appealing with toast, baked golden apples, brioche, and hazelnut. Medium plus weight, mature and showing its class. I love Lanson's BdB. 93(+?)pts.
Rosé - Sparkling
2008 Moët & Chandon Champagne Grand Vintage Rosé France, Champagne
92 points
Just had this last weekend and for the sake of completeness I'll share that this was delightful again. Didn't quite reach the same height, but that may be the setting and pairing, or lack thereof. I wish we'd have had this with the watermelon and feta-mint salad, it would have rocked. As it was, the raspberry fruit was quite distinct tonight. 91 to 92pts.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
2007 Didier Dagueneau Silex France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé
94 points
Light gold color. Simply stunning tonight and a brilliant pairing to our oyster course. This has such focus and precision, it has balance to the nth degree. I love the earth, dank nose with crushed crustacean minerality, lime, citrus and wet stones. This adds a honeyed note on the nose that is quite captivating. This has such nice acidity, very pretty and it just resonates. SB doesn't get much better.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White
2010 Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru
93 points
Light gold color. Drank a glass over an hour. Outstanding, toffee, almond paste, poached pears, flinty, great depth and resonating texture; lemon oil, spice as it warms. Lovely. 93+pts.
Red
1985 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côte-Rôtie Les Jumelles France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
93 points
Dark bricked red color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour. Enticing nose of mushroom, wet leaves, soil, red fruits, pepper. The palate is medium bodied, well integrated tannins, cassis, anise, red cherry, graphite, damp earth and cedary spice. This bottle was in a good spot, and I don't think I'd push it a lot further.
Red
1998 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
flawed
This bottle was ok on the nose, but the palate was suffering from alcohol, a lack of fruit and seemed disjointed. A bottle just a week or two later was exceptional.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
1995 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
94 points
A classic bottle of Chave, mouth watering, gorgeous, translucent dark fruits, full bodied and impressive depth.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2010 Delas Frères Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage
92 points
Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour. There's a mix of red and black fruit on the nose along with orange peel and peppered spice. The palate shows restraint, blackberry, fairly soft mouthfeel, pepper, spicebox, soft silky tannins. 91+ to 92pts.
3 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2014 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah Stonessence USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Youthful, dominated by vanilla and oak right now, but round and buttery, dark fruits, nice tannins. Needs some time to sort it all out.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White - Sweet/Dessert
2005 Château Rieussec France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
94 points
From 375ml, succulent, tropical, coconut, pineapple, orange creamsicle, spot on and cruising along.
3 people found this helpful Comment

Flight 4 - The Grand Seminar: Two Vineyards/Six Hands (6 notes)

This seminar was a focus on the Bella Vida and Temperance Hill Vineyards and winemaker influences

Red
2016 Dominio IV Pinot Noir The Violet Hour Bella Vida Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
91 points
Medium dark red color. Drank 1 glass over an hour. Slightly tight on the nose, subtle cedar, touch funky, deep red berries emerge with more dried earth. The palate is somewhat herbal, dill weed, red cherry, a little spicy, fine grain tannins, mouthwatering acid and a touch of citrus. Evolved nicely over the hour.
Red
2016 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Bella Vida Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
92 points
Medium dark red color. Drank 1 glass over an hour. In the style, deeper and more intense, love the nose, crushed flowers, dark berry, hints of blue fruit, vanillin, and the dry earth note emerges gradually. Deeper on the palate too, nice acid, tart dark berry, that gets brighter, hints of green tea.
Red
2016 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Bella Vida Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
90 points
Medium red color plus. Drank a glass over an hour. Very different, blood orange on the nose, stems, dark red fruit, medium body, tart and tangy, more tannnin, but still sleek, good acid, mineral, almost kir like in some ways. Somedidn't like this at all. I found it intriguing in a good way.
Red
2016 Lumos Wine Company Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
90 points
Part of a trio of THV's from 2016 with Lumos, Walter Scott, and Bergstrom. The nose is cedary, brambly almost mountain berry fruit; palate darker berry and black cherry, framboise, and hints of tart strawberry. Good, falls off a bit, as it appears to shut down.
Red
2016 Walter Scott Pinot Noir Temperance Hill USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
93 points
Part of a trio of THV's from 2016 with Lumos, Walter Scott, and Bergstrom. This was singing, and singing my song loudly. Just a great nose, deeply earthy on the nose, what I call a classic Oregon signature, damp earth, perfumed, beautiful strawberry fruit. The palate is briary, sous bois, red raspberry, cherry, medium body and lithe. This is so tangy, with delicious ripe tart fruit, lifted, baking spices, and hints of blue fruits. Impressive showing and my wine of the trio.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Bergström Pinot Noir Temperance Hill USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
92 points
Part of a trio of THV's from 2016 with Lumos, Walter Scott, and Bergstrom. This has even more fruit than the Walter Scott. Red berries, great purity and focus, slightly dusty and rather floral, hints of blood orange. The palate has dried earth, saline, cedarbox, great purity, herbs, medium body and harmonious. This may be the ultimate winner with some age. 92+pts.
1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 5 - Lunch on the Lawn (9 notes)

White
2016 Roco Chardonnay Gravel Road USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Tasting pour. Light, simple, pleasant, pear.
White
2016 Foursight Sauvignon Blanc Charles Vineyard USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
88 points
Tasting pour. Very pale straw color. Pretty good, nice acid, saline, earth and mineral, gooseberry, citrus. 88+ to 89pts.
Red
2013 Westcott Pinot Noir Reserve Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Vinemount Ridge VQA
89 points
Tasting pour. Woody, wood spices, clove, subtle, light cherry, rose hips. there is a lighter bodied elegance here. Prefer to the '15 by a fair bit.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2015 Westcott Pinot Noir Reserve Canada, Ontario, Niagara Peninsula, Vinemount Ridge VQA
87 points
Tasting pour Light medium red color. Dried herbs, slightly green, an interesting soil note, a little vanilla, tight, muted fruit.
White
2017 Duck Pond Pinot Blanc USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
89 points
Tasting pour. I like this one, fresh, peach, very good. 89+pts.
White - Off-dry
2017 Baldacci Family Vineyards Gewürztraminer Frederich USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
85 points
Tasting pour. Not so much, herbal, grassy, tropical green fruit.
Red
2008 Andrew Rich Pinot Noir Knife Edge USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
89 points
Tasting pour. Red fruit, soft, spicy, a bit tighter on the nose.
Red
2006 Soléna Pinot Noir Cellar Crawl Pack Lia's USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
90 points
Tasting pour. Good, a fun wine, dark fruit core, resolved, might be a little past peak. Bethel Heights, Cristom, Kew Wright, and Penner-Ash collaboration. Just a really cool project that could maybe only happen there.
Red
2014 Montinore Estate Pinot Noir Parson's Ridge USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Tasting pour. Tart cherry, herbs. A solid but not memorable effort.

Flight 6 - University of Pinot: #301 Viticultural Legacies (12 notes)

A focus on six wineries and the transition from one generation of winemaker to the next.

Red
2016 Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
88 points
Tasted a small glass. Medium ruby red color. Nice concentration, tart cherry, good acid, simple, clean and fresh. Well done.
Red
2016 Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
89 points
Small glass over an hour. Medium dark red color. Dry earth, more tannins, concentrated dark red fruits, nice and sleek. A step up from the Gevrey VV. 89+(+)pts.
Red
2015 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir 45th Anniversary Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
87 points
Small glass over an hour. Resin, wood, little bit sharp, red fruit palate, tight nose.
Red
2015 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Abetina USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
87 points
Small glass over an hour. Lots of spice, black cherry, angular finish, firm tannins, ripe.
Red
2016 Domaine Chevrot Maranges 1er Cru La Fussière France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Maranges 1er Cru
90 points
Small glass over an hour. Nice. Dark tart berry, firm, licorice, young but promising, concentrated, 18 months aging, 20% new oak.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2012 Domaine Chevrot Maranges 1er Cru Le Croix Moines France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Maranges 1er Cru
91 points
Small glass over an hour. Alright now, nice open nose, tons of mineral and iron, firm round tannins, lots of roses and floral notes on the nose about 45 minutes in, deeper red fruits. 90+ to 91pts.
Red
2015 Domaine Valentin Zusslin Pinot Noir Bollenberg Cuvée Harmonie France, Alsace
Small glass over an hour. Slightly green and herbal, thinner, Palate better than the nose at present. Young, but I wasn't feeling it. Score reserved.
Red
2010 Domaine Valentin Zusslin Pinot Noir Bollenberg Cuvée Harmonie France, Alsace
89 points
Small glass over an hour. In a better place than the '15, this has nice spice, complex, soil, mineral, ferrous, red cherry, very bright, good tannins, medium bodied, transparent, the fruit may be a little thin in the middle.
Red
2011 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
89 points
Small glass over an hour. Medium red color. Solid, red to dark red fruits, briary, a bit brawny.
Red
2009 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
92 points
Small glass over an hour. Medium red color. Lovely Volnay character, a nice mix of fruit and minerality, depth and finesse, blood meal. Gets better and better in glass. 92+pts.
Red
2009 Domaine Jean-Marc Boulay Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
93 points
Small glass over an hour. Medium dark red color. Just a lovely nose, very floral, rose petals, leather; nice acid, red cherry, transparent, fine tannins, mineral dense, medium plus body,long and resonant finish. 92+ to 93pts.
Red
2009 Domaine Jean-Marc Boulay Volnay 1er Cru Les Carelles France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru
91 points
Small glass over an hour. Medium dark red color. Lesser known then Chenes, doesn't see the U.S. typically. Spice, sous bois, more feminine than the Clos des Chenes and very floral. Very good.

Flight 7 - Alfresco Tasting #1 (21 notes)

Red
2015 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Machado USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
86 points
Tasting pour. I didn't care for this, very typical central coast, herbal, stemmy, ripe, spicy, Dr. Pepper.
Red
2015 Château de la Crée Santenay Clos de la Confrérie France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Santenay
90 points
Tasting pour. Very good, surprisingly open, earthy, nice red fruits. 90+pts.
Red
2014 Big Sky Wines Pinot Noir Te Muna Road New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
88 points
Tasting pour. I like the nose more than the palate, it is rather earthy with good aromatics, the palate has a green quality to the darker tart red fruits.
Red
2016 Domaine Bertagna Vougeot 1er Cru Clos de la Perrière France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vougeot 1er Cru
91 points
Tasting pour. No details, very good already, nice upside potential. 91(+)pts.
Red
2015 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Cygnus Block USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Tasting pour. I wasn't crazy about this, it was angular and rather ripe, maybe just at an awkward point.
Red
2015 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Breaking Ground USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
90 points
Tasting pour. Nice, pretty red fruits, a little more body than you might expect, nice texture, soft tannins. 90-91pts.
Red
2015 Lumos Wine Company Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
89 points
Tasting pour. Solid, firm right now, but there is that purity of Temperance Hill that shows in the red berry fruit. I could see this getting better with a few years.
Red
2015 Lemelson Vineyards Pinot Noir Chestnut Hill USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
89 points
Tasting pour. Oak, spice, riper cherry, forward, medium plus body. 89-90pts.
Red
2015 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
90 points
Tasting pour. A riper Cali style, but not overdone, medium full bodied, some vanillin with the ripe berry aroma and flavors, forward.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2015 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Pas de Nom USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Tasting pour. I expected to like this a lot more than I did, kind of so-so now. It was larger scaled, not really unexpectedly, quite a bit of vanilla now, ripe darker fruits, compote. I'd let this sit for awhile myself.
Red
2015 Domaine Marc Roy Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin
91 points
Tasting pour. Oh, this is good, firm but with really good purity to the deeper red fruits, a little firm as you might expect, but this built to age.
Red
2015 Illahe Pinot Noir Percheron Block Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Tasting pour. This was ok, bigger, spicy, a bit like getting worked over by an actual Percheron.
Red
2015 Hyde Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir Larry Hyde USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
92 points
Tasting pour. Medium red color. We both really liked this, ripe berries, but so deeply earthy and damp, balsamic, sappy red berries, but not at all heavy, delicious stuff. 91+ to 92pts.
Red
2015 LAVINEA Pinot Noir Elton Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
88 points
Tasting pour. Ok, unremarkable
Red
2015 Landmark Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
87 points
Tasting pour. Nose much better than the palate; earth, floral, cherry. Not one of my favorites, but maybe some time..
Red
2015 Aberrant Cellars Pinot Noir Block B3 Old Vines Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountain Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
92 points
Tasting pour. First vintage was in '09. These grapes are some of Dick Erath's original plantings circa 1969. Very good already, red fruits, poised, graceful, fine spices and dried earth.
Red
2015 Weingut Willi Bründlmayer Pinot Noir Langenlois Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal
90 points
Tasting pour. I like this, nice red fruits, cherry, currant, good acid and very earthy, blood meal.
Red
2015 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Estate Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
Tasting pour. This sharp and angular right now. Score reserved.
Red
2015 Anne Amie Pinot Noir Twelve Oaks Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
91 points
Tasting pour. Good, light medium body, red fruit, fine grained with good acid.
Red
2015 Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Victoria USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
89 points
Tasting pour. Another one that needs some time to come around. Spicy, darker fruits, some grip too.
Red
2015 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir Original Vines USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
92 points
Tasting pour. Excellent, great depth, medium red color, one of those pristine wines of sheer beauty that is already evident. These always age great and this will be no different. 92+ to 93pts.

Flight 8 - The Grand Dinner (15 notes)

White
2016 Domaine Valentin Zusslin Auxerrois Pinot d'Alsace France, Alsace
Tasted, aromatic, floral, a bit pungent, ok
White
2015 Fougeray de Beauclair Marsannay Les Aiges Pruniers Blanc France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay
89 points
Tasting pour. Solid, earthy, pear, medium body, smoke.
Red
2012 Hyde Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
92 points
Medium red color. Drank a glass over an hour with Chris Hyde. He was our winemaker/table ambassador for the Grand Dinner at IPNC. First of all, Chris is a super guy, very humble and genuine, and his wines are well made impressive examples what the Hyde vineyard can do with Pinot Noir. I found the style to be rooted in Burgundy and a far cry from what so often comes out of California these days. I appreciate the transparent style and mid-weight wines that reflect the terroir and respect the grape. This is earthy and well balanced; very complex and pure, with a lovely fruit expression while not being heavy and extracted. Some scorched earth and smoke too. The cool night breezes of the vineyard show through in the acid and vivacity of the the wine. The '15 Hyde we had earlier had the same profile, so this is not a one hit wonder. 91+ to 92pts.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2005 Domaine Rossignol Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
91 points
Dark red color. Drank a glass over 45 minutes. More ready than the last bottle, this showed the same profile of deep red berry, soil and iron, with a distinct spiciness, but it was much more giving and lively. Probably still not all the way there yet, but this was a PNP. 91+(+)pts.
Red
2007 Domaine Tortochot Charmes-Chambertin France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru
94 points
Medium red color. This bottle was opened about an hour before serving. Drank 1 glass over 60 minutes. Same bottle as Bellissino and the same experience. We've had this a several times now and it has been a consistent charmer to say the least. Great perfume, red berry, mushroom, currants, damp earth and soil infused minerality on a medium frame. This was rocking.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Domaine Bertagna Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits
88 points
Small pour, no notes, but this was nice enough.
Red
2007 Maison Bertrand Ambroise Bourgogne Aries France, Burgundy, Bourgogne
90 points
Small pour. PNP, Pretty good stuff, red fruits, good spices, wood tones, fairly mature and still in good shape. Solid. 89+ to 90pts.
Red
2010 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
88 points
Small glass. Rather earthy, pepper, good texture, meaty on the nose, slightly angular finish. Good. 88+pts.
Red
2014 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir The Shallows Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
91 points
Small glass over 30 minutes. Never had this cuvee before. Silky, great feel, spices, verve, a bit bigger in density, vanilla, dark fruits.
1 person found this helpful Comments (4)
Red
2004 Cristom Pinot Noir Signature Cuvée USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
94 points
Translucent bricked red color. Randy was wandering around the grounds pouring this from a double magnum. Wow, this was head turning and gorgeous, aged and elegant, mouthwatering, orange peel, citrus, tart cherry, pomegranate., dried earth and florals. One of the highlights of the evening. 93+ to 94pts.
Red
2012 Maison Bertrand Ambroise Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Rue de Chaux France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
89 points
Small glass over 20 minutes. Good, firm tannins, bold cherry with some espresso, meat, oak. 89 to 90 pts.
Red
2014 Roco Pinot Noir Private Stash USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
90 points
Small glass over 20 minutes. Good, spicy, pepper, a mix of dark red and black fruits, young though. Give it 18 to 24 months. 90+pts.
Red
2006 Domaine Pavelot (Jean-Marc et Hugues) Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Vergelesses France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru
91 points
Small glass late in the evening. Spice, cherries, dry earth, medium body, nice tannins, in a good spot.
Red
2011 Decelle - Villa Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Crots France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru
88 points
Tasted, no notes. 87+ to 88pts.
Red
2006 Escarpment Pinot Noir New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Drank a glass very late in the evening. We had been badgering our Somm supreme, "Ric Ecrane", to see if he could find us some DRC and low and behold he found what we suspect to be a counterfeit bottle of 1996 La Tache. The dead give away was the hastily crossed out Escarpment label and the Sharpie written "1996 DRC La Tache" over it. Names have been changed to protect the creatively innocent. Imagine our disappointment :). There was wine in the bottle, and I think it tasted like Pinot Noir from far south of the border.

Flight 10 - Vineyard Tour & Winery Lunch: Alexana (5 notes)

Host by Dr. Madaiah Revana and winemaker Brain Weil at Alexana Vineyards

Red
2013 Alexana Pinot Noir Signature USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
90 points
Dark red color. Drank 1 glass blind over an hour. Top 10 barrels of the Estate wine. To be honest, I was expecting more from this wine. In retrospect, I should have realized that a '13 Alexana was not going to be showing great yet. It is a cool vintage and Alexana tends to need some time to flesh out anyway and particularly in the cool years. This was further evidenced by the '11 Revana I picked up while we there for the salmon bake later that evening - it was much better two days later. This was very firm and structured and showing some heat too. Dark red fruits and oak spice dominate currently.
Red
2016 Duck Pond Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Purple hued medium dark garnet red. Drank 1 glass blind over an hour. Very young, wood, soft mouthfeel, spices and warmth on the palate, brooding ripe black cherry. concentrated, a big ripe wine with some heat presently. Hard to see through this right now. I'm reserving judgement for now, but as is 88 would be reasonable.
Red
2010 Alloro Vineyard Pinot Noir Justina Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
93 points
Light medium transparent ruby color. Drank 1 glass blind over an hour. This was the ringer in the bunch as it was the one wine with age on it. I'd never had this producer before, and I was duly impressed by this bottle. This has a classic Oregon feel to it, with that lighter weight, earthy with perfumed red fruits, floral with dried roses; on the palate this has a pretty red raspberry fruit, light medium body but plenty of energy and intensity along with some zippy 2010 acidity. I'd like to try more and see if this is a consistent style. Excellent, right in my wheelhouse.
Red
2015 Côtiére Pinot Noir USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
91 points
Medium red color. Drank 1 glass blind over an hour. Very pleasantly surprised by this, earthy up front, tangy red fruits, a little vanilla, medium weight, has some grip on the tannins. It will be better in another year I think. Tasty.
Red
2017 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
91 points
Medium red color. Drank 1 glass blind over an hour. Good, red fruits, a bit more austere, soil, mineral driven, spicy, has some power and bigger structure, very young, very Burgundian. 91(+)pts.

Flight 11 - Winery Lunch at Alexana (6 notes)

Guest Chef: Sarah Schafer of Irving Street Grill in Portland, OR

White
2017 Alexana Pinot Gris USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
88 points
Drank a glass upon welcome at Alexana. Easy drinking on a very hot day, crisp and lively, pear. 88+pts.
White
2015 Alexana Chardonnay Terroir Series Willamette Valley USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Drank a glass with lunch at the winery. 70% malo, 70% oak, 5% new. Very nice, medium bodied, just enough texture, still decent acid despite the warm vintage, crisp, cut pear, tart.
Red
2016 Alexana Pinot Noir Revana Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Deep ruby hue. Drank a glass with lunch at the winery. Herbal, red fruited, plush texture, plenty of spice. This is pretty darn young, but still good. I sense a trend coming here.
Red
2016 Alexana Pinot Noir East Blocks - Volcanic Soils Revana Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Drank a glass with lunch at the winery. A slightly green edge, vanillin, dark red and black fruits, crushed rock. Again way too young as the trend continues.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Alexana Pinot Noir West Blocks - Sedimentary Soils USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Drank a glass with lunch at the winery. Very spicy, black pepper, more acid than the East Block, macerated blackberry, ripe black raspberry. Also young and bold.
White
2015 Alexana Riesling Revana Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
89 points
Drank a glass with lunch at the winery. Tart, racy acidity, white peach, white pear, petrol.

Flight 12 - Alfresco Tasting #2 (16 notes)

Red
2016 Bergström Pinot Noir Bergström Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
94 points
Tasting pour. Totally captivating, alluring silky texture, damp earthiness, very pretty red fruits, elegant and impeccably balanced. Can't wait to see where this goes from here, stunning right now. 93+ to 94pts
1 person found this helpful Comment
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Laurent-Perrier Champagne Cuvée Rosé Brut France, Champagne
93 points
Tasting pour. Just great, really looking forward to getting all over this at the Sparkling Brunch on Sunday.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Domaine Chevrot Maranges Sur Le Chêne France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Maranges
87 points
Tasting pour. Good, vanilla, red currants, straightforward.
Red
2015 Walter Scott Pinot Noir Sojourner Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
90 points
Tasting pour. I like this, very young right now with firm tannins, medium weight, red berry, tighter on the nose, but everything seems to be there. 90-92pts potential.
Red
2016 Broadley Vineyards Pinot Noir Claudia's Choice USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Tasting pour. Very tanninc now, red currants, sour, cranberry.
Red
2016 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Wadensvil Block Estate Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge
91 points
Tasting pour. Very good, a mix of darker red fruits, licorice, soil and medium full bodied. 91(+)pts.
Red
2016 Kelley Fox Wines Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Tasting pour. I really like the nose here, very aromatic and enticing, but the palate is quite brooding, lots of wood, grippy tannins, dark red fruits. Has very good potential.
2 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley
91 points
Tasting pour. This hit a cord for me, and maybe it was talking with Brian Talley while sipping, but this had nice red fruit, round and pleasing, with some tannins that will sneak up on you. Give this 12 to 18 months.
Red
2015 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Olson Estate Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
90 points
Tasting pour. From the estate vineyard planted in 1972, This had nice aromatics, sullen earth and a good core darker red fruits.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2015 Soter Pinot Noir Mineral Springs Ranch USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
90 points
Tasting pour. Similar to my previous note. This bottle was tighter and more firm. 90+pts
Red
2015 Spindrift Cellars Pinot Noir Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Tasting pour. Good already, red fruits and blood orange, medium body, spice.
Red
2015 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains
92 points
Tasting pour. Oh, this was really good, great structure, firm but not grippy, great forest floor character on the nose and palate, dark berries. 92+(+)pts.
Red
2015 Roco Pinot Noir The Stalker USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Tasting pour. This had some blue fruit, blackberry liqueur, woody, some floral notes and dried herbs. Good, but maybe not my stylistic preference.
Red
2016 Johanneshof Reinisch Pinot Noir Austria, Niederösterreich, Thermenregion
86 points
Tasting pour. Really dank and horsey, and that's coming from someone who likes their Brett, also more thin on the palate yet it manages to be really grippy. The nose is better than the palate. 86 to87pts.
Red
2014 Loveblock Vintners Ltd Pinot Noir New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
87 points
Tasting pour. Dark fruits, modern, somewhat green, interesting meaty savoriness.
Red
2015 Tyee Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Barrel Select USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
91 points
Tasting pour. Never had this producer and was impressed by this wine and at a good value. As the name would suggest, a selection of top barrels, vines planted in '74, '81, and '82 I believe. This was very well balanced, elegant style, medium body, red fruited. Very nice. Really nice people and a place I want to visit next time back. 91+pts.

Flight 13 - Northwest Salmon Bake (11 notes)

White
2014 Ermes Pavese Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle Italy, Valle d'Aosta, Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle
91 points
Pale gold color. From magnum. Drank a glass over 30 minutes. Northern Italy, 3400 feet elevation. I loved this, just great minerality, seething with ocean tastes and smells, tart, sterling acid, citrus. This a match made in heaven for shellfish and grilled fish.
Red
2014 Torii Mor Pinot Noir Olson Estate Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Tasted. This still has a good nose, but the palate was dead and gone with heat and virtually no fruit. OTH, at least this one.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2009 Robert Mondavi Winery Pinot Noir Reserve USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
90 points
Medium dark red color. Drank a glass over 20 minutes. This was one of the library wines at the salmon bake. Have not had a Mondavi pinot in some time, in fact maybe never other than at the winery. This was a pleasant surprise. In good shape, nice big dark berry fruits, boysenberry, blackberry, and dark cherries, spicy, some warmth but not in a bad way, sauvage,
Red
2007 Cristom Pinot Noir Louise Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
93 points
Light medium red color. Drank a glass over 30 minutes. Poured from a Jeraboam as Randy worked the grounds at the salmon bake. Another great bottle, maybe not quite as good as the '04 Signature the night before, but damn close. Amazingly complex spices seem to dance across the nose, wow, then the pretty red fruits and floral perfume joins in and mixes with some bacon fat as this keeps on singing. As good as this '07 is now, in this large format it still feels youthful on the palate. So if you have any 5 liter bottles of this at home, you might want to sit on them for 5 years :). 93+pts
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2005 Dusky Goose Pinot Noir Dundee Hills USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Tasted. Very ripe, tastes more like RRV than Dundee. Maybe that's in part the vintage, but this thing is hot and presumably past.
Red
2005 Addamo Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Another salmon bake library wine that is long overdue. Pay the fine and move on.
White - Sparkling
1999 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart France, Champagne
94 points
Light-medium golden color. Drank a glass over an hour. Our roving Somm "Ric Ecrane" found our table to see what was going down. His timing was impeccable as we'd just opened this. To quote him: " We somms have a phrase for wines like this: "Good shit". You gotta loves the pro's technical descriptions. This was one of those "good" bottles of the '99 though. Really deep and toasty, sterling minerality, energetic white fruits.
1 person found this helpful Comment
Red
2008 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles-St.-Jacques France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru
92 points
Drank a glass over an hour. A super and earthy nose. On the palate very juicy and almost succulent fruits, tart cherry, soil, iron, darker fruits, some wood, and the tannins are coming around now. This may get better.
Red
1998 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie La Mordorée France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Had this also at the salmon bake. This seemed off to me tonight. I was getting a fair bit of heat and wood on the palate. We've seen some bottle variation on these with some previous storage concerns.
Red
2011 Alexana Pinot Noir Revana Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
92 points
Dark red color. PNP, drank a glass the first night and again the following night. I bought this at our IPNC winery lunch at Alexana for that night's big salmon bake dinner. I was looking for something with a little age on it for dinner and this was the oldest they had. I prefer the cooler vintages so I was happy to find this. At the salmon bake, this was still very tight and showing firm tannins and some edginess. I took the leftovers with me figuring this may well need some more time. Well hey, did this ever come around for day two. It's a shame everyone didn't get to see it where it ended up. The nose and palate shows a mix of dark red fruit, along with a blue fruit tinge of tart huckleberry, anise, and a dense rocky mineral laden finish. There was a striking evolution of the tannins and wood tones with the tannins becoming quite satiny vs. the grippy mess they were day one. The sense of wood and a green streak has literally fallen away. A lot of 11's are good on PNP, this clearly was not. Give this another year or so or decant generously. 91+ to 92pts.
1 person found this helpful Comment
White - Sweet/Dessert
1989 Château Suduiraut France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes
91 points
Capping off the night at the salmon bake. This showed lots of botrytis spice, baked apple, orange, orange peel, a little thinner on the palate tonight.
1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 15 - Sparkling Brunch Finale (4 notes)

Rosé - Sparkling
2014 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Cin Cin Brut Rosé USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
88 points
Tasted. Simple, cherry, good.
White - Sparkling
N.V. José Michel & Fils Champagne Tradition Brut France, Champagne
89 points
Drank a small glass over 20 minutes. PM based, tart, citrus, citrus pith, grapefruit, ginger, a bit more aggressive on the palate.
Rosé - Sparkling
2017 Soter Brut Rosé Mineral Springs Ranch USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
90 points
Drank a glass over brunch. I liked this, fairly fresh and lively, light ripe cherry, fairly refined with a touch of yeast and very clean across the palate.
Rosé - Sparkling
N.V. Laurent-Perrier Champagne Cuvée Rosé Brut France, Champagne
93 points
Finished off IPNC at the sparkling brunch with one of the wines we'd looked forward to all weekend. Thanks to super somm "Ric Ecrane" we had our own personal bottle to share over the morning. This is a delightful wine. Everything I want in my rose Champagne is there in perfect balance. Year in and year out what they do is quite impressive. This is delicate and elegant while offering a creamy palate with vibrant and pure strawberry fruit, hints of almond, perfect mineral notes and a great lifted feel on a the long finish. 93+pts.
3 people found this helpful Comment

Flight 16 - Dinner at The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, OR (1 note)

White
2014 Bethel Heights Chardonnay Estate USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
91 points
Pale gold color. Off the restaurant list. Very enjoyable, nice purity with white peach, melon, lemon and hints of lychee, mineral, medium body, very clean and refreshing. 90+ to 91pts.

Flight 18 - Dinner at Newman's 988, Cannon Beach, OR (1 note)

White - Sparkling
2014 Argyle Vintage Brut USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
90 points
Pale green gold color. Off the list at Newman's 988. I'm still liking this, loaded with tart citrus, minerally, gooseberry, tart green apple, more yeasty than I recall. Very solid.

Closing

One word: "spit"

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