August 1, 2022 - The wine is drinking incredibly good right now. Won’t benefit with additional aging so don’t hold for to long.
March 9, 2020 - Drank alongside a 1999 Drouhin Clos des Mouches from Burgundy. Decanted two hours ahead. Served double blind (not blind to me).
Medium red color, lots of bricking. The nose was mature cherry oriented, with tea notes, good, if not particularly complex. Fully mature on the palate, what I think of as a classic Oregon profile, black cherry, rather than berry, and again that mature tea note. Elegant. I suspect the wine has tasted like this for years, and will last for years. This was good, though I preferred its Burg cousin for its freshness and its future.
Drink, but no hurry. I don’t see it improving. (B+)
December 31, 2019 - Beautiful subtle wine. Great terroir expression.
August 30, 2019 - All the previous reviews I suspect are from bottles that did not age in a good cellar. Had 2 bottles bought at auction from a large collection of better Oregon makers. Poured from bottle. Took about 15 minutes to open in glass. Lovely, integrated and tasty. This is fantastic drinking and elegant aged wine. Sad I only have 4 more.
September 27, 2015 - Drinkable, but thin and green. Probably saw better days.
October 1, 2012 - A little graphite and eucalyptus, but also a touch muddy. We agreed it was a perfect time to drink it...
May 19, 2012 - Very earthy, ushroony on opening, but soMewhat subdued. After being opened an hour or so, developed a very nice texture and more plummy and hight toned fuit notes. Really very nice at that point.
July 24, 2011 - Subtle sour cherry, mushroom and black tea. Very silky and elegant. Paired with crispy polenta cakes with duck, mushroom and cherry ragout. The cherry in the sauce canceled the cherry in the wine and brought out a strong earth component. After a couple hours in the decanter, it picked up a strong vegetal component -- like asparagus in a glass.
April 1, 2011 - Weekend in Paoli; 4/1/2011-4/2/2011 (Paoli, PA): great ruby color. raspberries, tart cherries and smoky meaty notes on the nose. the palate is delicious. very elegant at this point in its evolution. delicious, wonderful balance. good tannic structure as well with some nice black tea elements on the finish.
November 13, 2010 - Medium red color. Aromas of sous bois, cherry, smoke, tea, and raspberry. Tart cherry and raspberry palate that also shows cranberry and later develops some smoky sous bois flavors. This is open for business and drinks much more advanced than the 2002 right now. Should continue to develop but this is ready to start drinking if you've got a few stashed away. Drink or hold.