2023 Sokol Blosser Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, USA, California, Willamette, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a Rosé made from Pinot Noir grapes.  The wine saw about four hours of contact with the skins.  Pale salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  It has a very  nice nose with watermelon and rhubarb.  Creamy texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, flavors of strawberries and watermelon. Long finish.  This drinks easy with no bite or bitterness.  It would work well with lighter foods but also fried chicken.  Drink over the next few years.   

2022 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$34.00USD

This is their basic Pinot Noir bottling.  It is made with estate fruit from their six vineyards which are vinified separately and then blended.  It is an easy and accessible Pinot Noir (and realistically priced).  Medium ruby in color with blue hues, clear and bright.  The nose is tight and took about an hour to really show much (if drinking soon, give it a decant).  With air it shows cherries, dust, slight pomegranate, and forest floor.  Plush texture.  good acidity.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries, slight sour cherries, forest floor.  Some menthol on the finish.  A very

2019 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve, USA, Oregon, Willamette, Chehalem, Laurelwood District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Noir from non-grafted vines planted in the 70's and 80's.  One of the best Oregon Pinots tasted.  Medium ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is classic with cherries, slight sour cherries, sandalwood, and tea leaves.  Complex if tight.  Medium bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is young but complex.  Cherries, black cherries, slight Kirsch with some underlying forest floor and spice.  Not a big wine, but very concentrated.  Long finish with slight warmth.  This should improve a bit as it ages.  drink over the next eight to

2021 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Laurelwood District, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$47.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Noir from Oregon.  Medium ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, cranberries with a touch of black cherries.  Also, some dust and spice.  Plush texture.  Medium to firm tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is a bit more robust.  Cherries, black cherries, slight anise and spice.  Deep.  A bit of mint on the finish.  This is drinking quite well once it opens.  Bigger in style for Oregon and very accessible.  It should drink well for six to eight more years.  It would  work nicely with meaty fish but also a nice choice with Roasted T

2021 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Calkins Lane Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Chehalem Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Noir from Oregon.  It spends ten months in oak.  In terms of style it is a bit on the bigger style (for Oregon).  Medium ruby in color with some purple hues, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black raspberries, sandalwood and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Nice juicy texture.  Good acidity.  Medium tannins come out with air.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries and slight black raspberries.  Long finish with slight warmth.  This needs some time and will almost certainly improve with good cellaring.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It is gr

2021 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Breaking Ground, USA, Oregon, Chehalem Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Noir aged for ten months in French Oak (30% new).  Medium ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with sour cherries, strawberries, walnuts and spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  More presence on the palate right now.  Sour cherries, cherries, spice and char.  A bit of kirsch on the finish along with some spice.  This is middle of the road in terms of Pinot style and it is interesting how the nose is more elegant but the palate a bit more masculine.  Very nice on its own, this would work well with roasted duck (or chicken).  It may improve with some shor

2002 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard, Oregon, ribbon Ridge, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

From the excellent 2002 vintage, this should answer any doubts about whether Oregon Pinot Noir can age and also how it ages.  This was a huge wine on release but now it is mature and drinking beautifully.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight sour cherries, a hint of black cherries, some earthiness and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Wispy, mostly integrated tannins.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity.  Layers of black cherries, sour cherries, earth and slight char.  Great energy.  Good finish.  It would have been interesting to stick this in

2004 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Vieilles Vignes, France, Burgundy, Wine Reivew

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$480.00USD

Count me among those who find a certain greenness to the 2004 Burgundies.  Others at the table loved this wine and either didn't find that quality or didn't mind it.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, a bit of earthiness and an herbal quality hanging around the background.  It comes across as a sort fresh thyme mixed with cilantro.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, some cherries, herbal notes and char.  It is also complex and layered.  It works better with food and it would be nice with fresh sashimi.  It has plenty

2006 Domaine Bruno Clair Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$1387.00USD

From magnum.  This bottle seemed to get mixed reactions from the table.  Some thought it needed a long decant and others were more positive.  I found it young, but very enjoyable.  Like many Pinots, a lot depends on what style you like best.  This seemed on the darker, more ripe side especially in this format.  Deep ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, black tea, char, and slight earthiness.  Great texture.  Good energy.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries, with some char and earthiness/minerality.  Long fin

2021 Sineann Pinot Noir "TFL", Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$33.00USD

This is bottled only in 375ml.  It is a barrel selection blend.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, char and spice.  With air, some licorice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has depth.  Great cherry fruit with some char.  Good finish.  Nice on its own, this would work well with Pork Chops.  Drink over the next ten years.  

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