2007 A to Z Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $15, screw cap. “Aristocratic wines at
democratic prices.”
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Aromas of ripe red berries which are slightly confected and
herb-kissed. Crisp and juicy with reserved tannins and a lively touch of citrus zest
on the finish.
2007 Amity Vineyards Amity Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13%, $20.
From 6 dry-farmed vineyards in the northern Willamette Valley including clones
Dijon 115, Wädenswil, Pommard and Upright. Myron Redford and Darcy
Pendergrass are the winemakers.
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On the nose there are strawberries, cherries,
juicy fruit gum and a touch of cardamon spice. Light-weighted and nicely spiced
red fruits with some cedar and grapefruit zest flavors, soft tannins and zingy
acidity.
2007 Belle Valle Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $24.
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Light
ruby color. Prominent oak char and dark caramel on the nose. Oak and toastinfused
black cherry fruit which is light and juicy. No tannins to speak of and
adequate acidity. This wine will appeal to those who like oak with their Pinot.
2007 Broadley Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $20 A blend of several
vineyards from a consistently well-regarded family owned winery producing 5,000 cases of
Pinot Noir annually. Located in Monroe, Oregon, about half way between Corvallis and
Eugene.
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A middle weighted Pinot Noir offering slightly roasted and sweet dark berry fruits
accented by clove, oak, maple syrup and balsam. Lively acidity on the refreshing and dry
finish.
2006 Cardwell Hill Cellars Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.,
500+ cases, $26. From plantings of Dijon, Pommard and Wädenswil clones in
Philomath, Oregon. The best 21 barrels in the cellar. Aged 18 months in French
oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered.
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Very ripe dark fruits are featured with hints of
raisin and port, stopping short of prune. Deft touch of cardamon and clove spice.
Very smooth mouthfeel. Well-crafted but the fruit is a little riper than I prefer.
2006 Chehalem Cerise Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 391 cases, $24. 80% Gamay
Noir, 20% Pinot Noir. “Cerise” is cherry in French. This wine is analogous to passetoutgrains in
Burgundy which is made for drinking while the highly structured Pinot Noirs develop. Cerise has
been produced since 1992. There are two acres of Gamay Noir planted at Ridgecrest Vineyard,
a 55-acre planting on a 176-acre property which pioneered grape growing on Ribbon Ridge in
1980. Aged 9 months in barrel, racked twice, sterile filtered.
·
The nose is restrained, showing
blue and black berries, oak and some good barnyard. The wine offers black grape flavors with
respectable richness and body. Anise and pepper notes add interest and the dry finish has a
spirited grip of citrus zest. A good change up from the sea of Pinot Noir.
2007 Cloudline Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $16.50. A project of Dreyfys, Ashby & Co
located in McMinnville, Oregon. The consulting winemaker is Véronique Drouhin-Boss of
Domaine Drouhin.
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Aromas of spiced fruit compote, especially cherry, with a hint of oak
and acetyl. Red fruit driven, soft and silky with supple tannins and a dry finish.
2007 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $19, screw cap. A blend of different
vineyard sites in Oregon. 95% micro-oxygenation, 5% French oak barrels.
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Moderately
light red color. Scents of cherries, oak and green herb garden carry over to the flavors
which are crisp, fresh and tart. Fairly austere and light with no detectable tannin.
2007 Harmonia Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $22.50. Michael Beckley,
the winemaker, says on his label, “In wine as in music, I believe there is a sweet spot.
A point of balance and finesse that is reached when passion and skill, knowledge and
dedication are applied in equal amounts.”
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Restrained aromas of crushed winter
berries and good barnyard. Simple and light black cherry flavors with an appealing
smooth texture and modest t n’ a.
2007 Jezebel Oregon Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 4,674 cases, $20, screw cap. This second label
of Daedalus is named after a biblical whore. This wine is a blend of several vineyards and is
crafted by winemaker Aron Hess. Fermented in 60% stainless steel, 5% new and 35% neutral
French oak.
·
Lightly colored with very demure Pinot fruit flavors. Oak char and herbs are to the
front. Light and silky.
2007 McKinlay Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
12.5% alc., $18. Crafted by Matt Kinne, a respected winemaker trained at Hanzell in California before returning to his family's farming roots in Oregon.
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Shy floral aromas with added darker fruits and a
bit of funk. A middleweight with some richness on the mid palate core of berry and cherry
flavors. An elegant wine with a grippy finish featuring a lemony zest.
2007 OFV Estate Grown Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $20, screw cap. From Olsen Family
Vineyards who farm about 450 acres in five distinct vineyards in the hills between Monmouth and Corvallis,
Oregon. The family has farmed in the Willamette Valley for five generations.
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Very shy and nondescript aromas
with a hint of cherry and camphor. More pleasing in the mouth with hearty and deep wild berry flavors with a
sidecar of dark chocolate. The tannins are reigned in and the wine drinks easy.
2007 Ponzi Vineyards Tavola Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., 5,104 cases, $25.
A blend of sixvineyards and consisting of all LIVE Certified Sustainable fruit. After an extended
cold soak, fermentation continued was driven by native yeasts. Aged in 25% new French oak
for 11 months. Following a barrel selection, the wine was racked and bottled by gravity
without fining or filtration.
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A mid-weight wine with nicely spiced red cherry aromas carrying
over to the flavors. Silky textured with fine tannins and a refreshing finish with lively acidity.
2007 Red Door Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $21 (I have seen it on the
internet for $18 which is a steal). Crafted by Laurent Montalieu for NW Wine Co. (Precept
Brands) in McMinnville.
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Herb-dusted red fruits, sage, bay, oak and char on the pleasing nose.
Very light, even ephemeral, with red cherry and strawberry flavors touched by herbs. The fruit
is well-supported by supple tannins. Goes down like mother’s milk. My only nit is that the finish
ends in a flash.
2006 Stoller JV Estate Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc.,
$22. Estate grown grapes from younger hi-density vines.
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Nicely spiced cherry
fruit forms the basis of this medium body wine which is accented by flavors of
toasted brioche and oak. Good balance of t n ‘a. The oak peeks out more as the
wine warms in the glass.
2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc.,
$25. Composed of Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, Pommard and Wädenswil.
Jory and Laurelwood soils. Aged in 20% new Allier forest French oak.
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Mixed
dark red berries and dried cherries supported by oak and grassy herbs with a little
bent of forest floor. Very appealing silkiness in the mouth with gossamer tannins.
Shows the herbal side of Pinot Noir
