5/4/2024 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

WOTN; astonishing at close to 40, could have lasted for several more years. Expected dark cherry and menthol resonant notes, absolutely effortless finish.

5/4/2024 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Surprisingly lively; gorgeous nose and elegant finish

8/13/2021 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Decanted first thing in the morning, and then again during dinner - and tasted fresh and juicy despite its age. Lots of deep red fruits, some spice and chocolate in a mid-weight mouth. Terrific structure and balance too.

8/13/2021 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Incredibly sexy blend of Cab, Merlot and Cab Franc showcasing what we love best about WA Bordeaux blends – savory yet fruity nose, plush mouth, incredible balance, elegant tannins and a lush, lingering finish. Super inky in color with just a bit of cherry red bricking; lots of blackcurrant and black berry/cherry going on, with flint and balanced acid as well. Definitely my WOTN.

8/13/2021 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Small, fizzy bubbles with a toasty, nutty nose; rounded and bright citrus benefitted from pouring in a wine glass instead of a flute. Complex and mellow.

4/30/2021 - noiregonian wrote:

From 1.5L bottle: elegant, supple, classic JT; still incredibly youthful with floral nose, bright red fruits, fine structure, wonderful length.

4/30/2021 - noiregonian wrote:

From a 3L, for a caviar dinner: definitely WOTN.
Absolutely gorgeous and mutable throughout the evening: bright fruits, minerality, honeysuckle, crisp acids, super creamy finish.

3/11/2021 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Lush and juicy red fruit with some leather/tobacco notes. Great balance and length.

2/27/2021 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Glad we popped this before dinner, it took some time to come together in the glass. Deep and moody Pinot, with luscious dark fruits and spice. Good structure, perfect with the pork chop and chicken entrees we had. Finish had resonant length and balance.

2/27/2021 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

What a lovely white Burgundy - bright and lemony, with minerality and salinity that bloomed in the glass. Had it with maitake and carrot appetizers, but would have been amazing with oysters.

2/20/2021 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Opened and decanted from magnum; wine was just spectacular from start to finish. Sleek, supple, sexy, graphite, luscious color, blackberry & cherry aromas, fine structure, and amazing finish/length. A serious WOW in a glass, and incredibly memorable.

2/14/2018 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Sleek and supple; flavors of red berries and orange peel (me) and bergamot (him).
Super fresh for being a 2004; great balance and soft finish?

1/19/2014 - noiregonian wrote:

Faded, little fruit, pervasive oak, sumptuous

9/21/2013 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Seriously exceptional - bright yet dark red fruits on the nose; plush and sexy texture, lingering finish. PnP at start of evening, as delicious after dinner as was when just opened.

12/30/2012 - noiregonian Likes this wine:

Heck of a wine for <$20, and a whole mess of fun. Stood right up to seared porterhouse as well as pear/Gorgonzola galette. Lots of plushy fruit, good balance, clean finish

11/22/2012 - noiregonian wrote:

Rich, ripe bright red cherry fruit on the nose, some earth and spice; absolutely gorgeous wine - and the wine? Heady, round, full, balanced, elegant, subtle and resonant. An absolute winner.

10/8/2012 - noiregonian wrote:

Two Blondes has some kind of stems. Opened in a fit of pique, definitely would hold on to the others for a while longer. Deep, dark, dense, plush fruit; beautiful balance, resonant finish. Had open for two days, impressive from first to last glass.

8/3/2012 - noiregonian wrote:

Deep, dark, dense - this is pushing a decade? First night very woody and tannic, dark fruits just on the outside; second night much more approachable and balanced. Def on the darker side of Pinot though

7/18/2012 - noiregonian wrote:

Supple, silky, sexy! A classic example of finesse, fruit and finish - red fruit and licorice on nose; solid core of ripe acidity and elegant balance, and a lingering finish. Delicious now, can go for years more.

1/14/2012 - noiregonian wrote:

Seriously disappointed - seepage thru cork, bottle was corked.
Good thing he switched to nomacorc closures

1/13/2012 - noiregonian wrote:

Couldn't wait... young and gangly, but seriously delicious wow factor, and looking forward to popping again in a year or four. Dark, dense, ripe fruit on the palate; firm yet voluptuous texture; balanced, elegant, lingering finish. Rather elegant and naughty, all at the same time.

12/9/2011 - noiregonian wrote:

Found this in a corner of the rack, and what a pleasant surprise - mellow, flavorful, dark and fruity; a great complement to a chilly evening and comfort-food dinner

6/21/2011 - noiregonian wrote:

Crisp, bright ruby red along with classic Dundee clear cherry flavors; delicious all the way thru dinner

4/19/2011 - noiregonian wrote:

Absolutely gorgeous fruit with elegant balance and finish

4/8/2011 - noiregonian wrote:

Amazingly young, vibrant fruit, solid structure and acid, tannins integrated well. Seams like it could last for years, but drinking well now. Still amazed at how young and fresh it taste.

3/29/2011 - noiregonian wrote:

Big, bold, plushy, vibrant up front, but a bit lean on the finish. But perfect with short rib burgers

3/24/2011 - noiregonian wrote:

Seriously disappointing!! Uncorked anticipating the distinctive Celilo nose and crisp minerality, and BOTH bottles were off. Both purchased directly from winery, and in Eurocave since. Somewhere between oxidized and corked in nose and taste, color off as well.

11/26/2010 - noiregonian wrote:

initial Bright Cherries shifting to dark cherry and a little forest floor. After a decant and 15 minutes silky smooth and lush

5/8/2010 - noiregonian wrote:

Very drank red in color. Soft aroma of red fruit. Up front plush mouth feel with flavors of dark fruit and slight sour tang that dies quickly falls off. Never really opened up beyond initial impression

5/8/2010 - noiregonian wrote:

Lots of promise on the nose - no follow through

3/24/2010 - noiregonian wrote:

Wow, forgot this was tucked away in the rack; casual, but elegant choice for a windy, rainy night. Lovely and prominent nose of plushy black fruits, with some woodsy/leathery qualities; deep and dense inky color; balance and finish both smooth and integrated.

3/13/2010 - noiregonian wrote:

You know, somewhat disappointing; very closed nose and Syrah-like flavors when opened; woke up after an hour into dinner for a while and showed some nuance and fruit - but closed down and disappeared into not a whole lot but oak afterwards. Had hoped for better.

9/11/2009 - noiregonian wrote:

So delicious, had to repeat here in notes: an absolutely seamless, harmonious symphony in the mouth and glass... black fruit, red fruit, spice, toast, roasted meat, bacon fat that was all supple, sexy, powerful, resonant. Worked with everything at dinner from Waygu carpaccio to meaty ragu to lamb 3 ways to salmon and aged cheeses and chocolate truffles. The Frog rocks!

5/24/2009 - noiregonian wrote:

Iniitially closed up, after one-half hours started to open up but was sharp and acidic. After one and one-half hours aromas of dusky cherries and forest started to develope nicely. Wish it lasted longer to see how it would continue to develope

9/19/2008 - noiregonian wrote:

Ordered for a special dinner @ Salishan; despite lackluster Barbie waitress service. Warm, medium gold on pour; bubbles gloriously stayed until the last of the bottle was poured, at least over an hour later. Bright, fresh lemony accents that developed into plushy, round dough, yeast and toast notes later,but stil with that fresh lemon finish. Finish was balanced and impeccable. Wish I were still this bright and energetic after 23 years...

8/27/2008 - noiregonian wrote:

Dark gold in color, iniital nutty aromas changing to nuttywith hints of carmel and some toffee. A little thin in texture but dry with a pleasant taste and lingering aftertaste almost like a thin peaty scocth whisky.

7/26/2008 - noiregonian wrote:

Tasted at IPNC Salmon Bake. What a wonderful clear, crisp SB. Aromas of peach and slight hint of candy. Tasted just like bitting into a fresh, ripe white peach. Great balance and mouthfeel, just right amount of acidity to back it up and stop it from being fat or cloying.

7/27/2008 - noiregonian wrote:

From magnum. Did not decant. Upon opening very unsociable. Became civil after about one hour and downright gregarious after two hours. great balance, dusky red fruits, then some spice and forest floor aromas typical ken wright mouthfeel-supple and elegant.

6/1/2008 - noiregonian wrote:

In a word, Wow. Deep, dark, brooding, sexy, plushy aromatics that with the 15% alcohol on the label you'd think would foretell something overly powerful and extracted. Not so! Deep and dark berry fruit with woodsy, toasty notes and elegant tannins that drop in to an long and balanced finish. Perfect on a chilly night with a storm coming in.

3/10/2008 - noiregonian wrote:

No formal notes taken -drank with great dinner at Nick's. First tasted after about 20 minutes and very closed. Opened up nicely during meal..medium to light body, more fruit than usual from aThomas but refined and delicate as always. Would love to go back and try in another two years; but where to find it?

1/13/2008 - noiregonian wrote:

Past its prime. Opened for 1/2 hour before consumption. No fruit left. Just muted earthy flavors with no finish. I forgot I had it in the cellar and paid the price of waiting to long.