Willamette

This is Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley.  Medium ruby in color with some purple hues.  Mostly clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries with some cherries and a bit of black raspberries.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, juicy cherries with some black raspberry flavors.  Some underlying earthiness and char.  Good finish.  This drinks nicely on its own but better with food.  I guess the classic pairing for this would be Salmon on a Cedar Plank.  Drink over the next seven to ten years. A nice value in Pinot Noir.

This is a lighter style of cool climate Syrah.  It was co-fermented with 3-5% Viognier.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has macerated cherries, dry tea and dried floral notes.  Light bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, thin cherries.  Moderate finish.  This is not a style of Syrah that I particularly favor but for those looking for a lighter Syrah, this might be perfect.  It worked well with soft goat cheese.  Drink over the next year or two.  

I don't recall very many, if any, Sauvignon Blancs grown in Oregon, so this was interesting.  Light silvery/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has Tutti Fruity Gum notes (others called it Bubble Gum) with a little bit of peach.  Slightly oily texture.  Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, more Tutti Fruity Gum along with a touch of peach.  A touch of salinity.  Moderate finish.  A fun wine to stretch what a Sauvignon Blanc has to offer.  A nice starter white or to serve with a light lunch.  Perhaps with Tuna Salad.