Important Update From the Founder

Pinot & Cab New Year

Tasted December 31, 2009 by FPNova with 448 views

Introduction

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.

Flight 1 - Pinot Noir (3 notes)

Red

2006 Cristom Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

92 points

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.

Comment

Red

2006 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills

90 points

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.

Comment

Red

2006 Chehalem Pinot Noir Reserve USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

90 points

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

Comment

Flight 2 - Cabernet Sauvignon (2 notes)

Red

2002 Pine Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

90 points

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

Comment

Red

2002 Apex Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

89 points

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.

Comment

Flight 3 - Methodise Cape Classique (1 note)

White - Sparkling

N.V. Graham Beck Chardonnay Brut South Africa, Western Cape

88 points

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

Comment

Closing

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

Pinot & Cab New Year

Introduction

Flight 1 - Pinot Noir (3 notes)

Flight 2 - Cabernet Sauvignon (2 notes)

Flight 3 - Methodise Cape Classique (1 note)

Closing

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