At wine club last night, we tasted six summer whites. These all came from my cellar, so I don't have pricing on any of them, but none were more than $20 and most were quite a bit less. The six wines we tasted were:
1. 2001 Chateau St. Jean Gewurztraminer Sonoma County
2. 2003 Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills
3. 2002 J. K. Carrier Glass (white pinot noir) Willamette Valley
4. 2003 Patricia Green Cellars Oregon Sauvignon Blanc
5. 2001 Lemelson Vineyards Dry Riesling Adria Vineyard
6. 2002 Chehalem Inox Chardonnary Willamette Valley
In a close vote, we liked the Gewurz and the Shaw and Smith in that order. We purchased the Gerurz at the winery a little over a year ago. Both favorite wines were about $18 each.
15 August 2004
12 August 2004
The Dog Days
While the political campaign is heating up, there's little else of great import happening this month, save a few winery open houses on Aug. 21-22. The political thing is getting interesting, however. I heard on the radio this morning that Kerry has opened up a 6-point lead in Florida. Today both candidates are appearing in California, which ought to be interesting. Not sure why Bush is bothering with a state he will lose decidedly.
The election looks close, but with a decided edge to Kerry right now. The big questions are what kind of boost Bush will get out of his own convention in a few weeks and what trickery he has up his sleeve for the fall, especially if he becomes more and more desperate. Kerry still seems a bit too timid. He needs to hit harder. And when are we going to see all that footage of Bush's numerous gaffes over the past four years in Kerry ads? I assume that the Demos are just holding on to the juicy stuff for the stretch run or holding onto it permanently to see how desperate the Rs become. I'm predicting a ton of mud slinging before this is over.
Then there are the debates. How exciting are they going to be? They are crucial for Kerry, but also tricky. Because Bush is so dumb, he runs the risk of looking like an intellectual elitist. He almost has to act dumb himself to not look like a show off as he runs laps around Bush's brain. Four years ago, Gore came off as mean spirited in the first debate. Kerry just needs to come off as more in touch and in command (of his own brain). Bush will undoubtedly step on his tongue enough times on his own and mangle enough facts that Kerry doesn't have to win. He can let Bush lose.
On to wine. Chehalem is having its summer tasting on Aug. 21-22 at the winery at Rex Hill. The tasting includes a number of local artists and music if you get there at the right time. Of course, the wines are superb. Rex Hill is having its 2002 pinot noir release party on Aug. 22 at the winery. Those who bought futures can pick them up. Last year, they tasted some very nice vineyard designate pinot gris as well. On Saturday, Aug. 21, Sineann is having a barbeque and wine tasting at the winery in Carlton from noon to 4. These guys are making some very interesting wines, especially if you like reds and not just pinot noir. We're going to make the complete tour on Saturday, going to Sineann first and then hitting Chehalem on the way home.
John tried the bottle of 1998 Woolridge I gave him and said it was not good. Hmmm, I opened a bottle of the 2001 Merlot last night and it was fine, though the '98 cab was better. Woolridge still has some of the cab remaining. I should get my blush pinot noir within the next week. This was the wine we found so refreshing and delicious on our tour of SO in July. It's just been so hot down there, they're reluctant to ship it now.
The election looks close, but with a decided edge to Kerry right now. The big questions are what kind of boost Bush will get out of his own convention in a few weeks and what trickery he has up his sleeve for the fall, especially if he becomes more and more desperate. Kerry still seems a bit too timid. He needs to hit harder. And when are we going to see all that footage of Bush's numerous gaffes over the past four years in Kerry ads? I assume that the Demos are just holding on to the juicy stuff for the stretch run or holding onto it permanently to see how desperate the Rs become. I'm predicting a ton of mud slinging before this is over.
Then there are the debates. How exciting are they going to be? They are crucial for Kerry, but also tricky. Because Bush is so dumb, he runs the risk of looking like an intellectual elitist. He almost has to act dumb himself to not look like a show off as he runs laps around Bush's brain. Four years ago, Gore came off as mean spirited in the first debate. Kerry just needs to come off as more in touch and in command (of his own brain). Bush will undoubtedly step on his tongue enough times on his own and mangle enough facts that Kerry doesn't have to win. He can let Bush lose.
On to wine. Chehalem is having its summer tasting on Aug. 21-22 at the winery at Rex Hill. The tasting includes a number of local artists and music if you get there at the right time. Of course, the wines are superb. Rex Hill is having its 2002 pinot noir release party on Aug. 22 at the winery. Those who bought futures can pick them up. Last year, they tasted some very nice vineyard designate pinot gris as well. On Saturday, Aug. 21, Sineann is having a barbeque and wine tasting at the winery in Carlton from noon to 4. These guys are making some very interesting wines, especially if you like reds and not just pinot noir. We're going to make the complete tour on Saturday, going to Sineann first and then hitting Chehalem on the way home.
John tried the bottle of 1998 Woolridge I gave him and said it was not good. Hmmm, I opened a bottle of the 2001 Merlot last night and it was fine, though the '98 cab was better. Woolridge still has some of the cab remaining. I should get my blush pinot noir within the next week. This was the wine we found so refreshing and delicious on our tour of SO in July. It's just been so hot down there, they're reluctant to ship it now.
06 August 2004
Another great IPNC
I know this is a bit late, but did want to say a few things about this year's IPNC event at Linfield College. As with every one I attended, this was one of the most enjoyable, informative and intesting wine experiences of my year. We tasted about 70 2001 and 2002 pinots from around the world and sampled some wonder and unusual fare to go along with it.
My friend John joined me on this one, while our designated drivers (Lynne and Amy) occupied themselves in the antique stores in Lafayette. Cribbing from John's excellent notes, here's a sampling of what we liked:
Kingston Family Vineyards, Chile
2003 Casablanca
www.kingstonvineyards.com
Domaine Marc Roy, France
2001 Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Prieur
+33 03 80 51 81 13
Dry River, New Zealand
2002 Dry River
Liza_lanier@rowines.com (importer)
Fromm Winery, Switzerland
2002 Malanser
www.frommwineries.com
Domaine Alfred, California
2001 Califa
www.domainealfred.com
Goldeneye Winery, California
2001 Anderson Valley
www.goldeneyewinery.com
Hitching Post Wines, California
2001 Highliner, Santa Barbara County
www.hitchingpostwines.com
Skewis Wines, California
2001 Demuth Vineyard, Anderson Valley
www.skewiswines.com
Chehalem, Oregon
2002 Reserve
www.chehalemwines.com
Elk Cove Vineyards, Oregon
2002 Roosevelt
www.elkcove.com
Firesteed Cellars, Oregon
2001 Willamette Valley
www.firesteed.com
Ponzi Vineyards, Oregon
2002 Reserve
www.ponziwines.com
Sokol Blosser Winery, Oregon
2001 Estate, Old Vineyard Block
www.sokolblosser.com
Yamhill Valley Vineyards, Oregon
2000 Estate Reserve
www.yamhill.com
My favorites were Hitching Post -- wonderful deep and brambley fruit. I like a pinot that really stands up in your mouth with lots of dark fruit. This pinot pretty much exceeded my expectations. The Firesteed was without doubt the steal of the show. At $18, it was outstanding and more than adequate as an everyday pinot (if there is such a thing). Chehalem's Ridgecrest -- a perennial favorite of mine -- was wonderful as well.
This year's event was a little shorter -- three hours -- and for the first time in three years, I was reasonably coherent when we left (probably thanks to having John along). We all went to the Bistro in Dundee on the way home and had a perfect meal to end a perfect day.
Last Sunday, we attended the Stoller Vineyard picnic on the family property west of Dundee. They provided picnic baskets and wine and we brought our blankets. They served '01 and '02 pinots as well as the most recently chardonnay bottling. We enjoyed the '02 most, though Bill is doing a very nice chard and is a big believer in the Oregon chardonnay industry. That's super interesting because for the longest time, I just gave up on Oregon chards. They just didn't taste like chards and the excuse was always that they were made in the burgundian style. Fine, but I didn't like them.
With the arrival of the Dijon clones, that is changing quite a bit. We barrel tasted the new chard (probably the '03, but I forgot) and it was wonderful and will get better. Bill's definitely onto something. He's got about 150 acres of grapes planted now on this hillside property, 20 of which are in chardonnay. The rest is primarily pinot. Work has also begun on the new winery very near the oak grove where we picnicked. Argyle is still making some very nice chards as well. We like the reserve that sells for about $23. Lots of tropical fruits with just the right vanilla/creamy finish.
My friend John joined me on this one, while our designated drivers (Lynne and Amy) occupied themselves in the antique stores in Lafayette. Cribbing from John's excellent notes, here's a sampling of what we liked:
Kingston Family Vineyards, Chile
2003 Casablanca
www.kingstonvineyards.com
Domaine Marc Roy, France
2001 Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Prieur
+33 03 80 51 81 13
Dry River, New Zealand
2002 Dry River
Liza_lanier@rowines.com (importer)
Fromm Winery, Switzerland
2002 Malanser
www.frommwineries.com
Domaine Alfred, California
2001 Califa
www.domainealfred.com
Goldeneye Winery, California
2001 Anderson Valley
www.goldeneyewinery.com
Hitching Post Wines, California
2001 Highliner, Santa Barbara County
www.hitchingpostwines.com
Skewis Wines, California
2001 Demuth Vineyard, Anderson Valley
www.skewiswines.com
Chehalem, Oregon
2002 Reserve
www.chehalemwines.com
Elk Cove Vineyards, Oregon
2002 Roosevelt
www.elkcove.com
Firesteed Cellars, Oregon
2001 Willamette Valley
www.firesteed.com
Ponzi Vineyards, Oregon
2002 Reserve
www.ponziwines.com
Sokol Blosser Winery, Oregon
2001 Estate, Old Vineyard Block
www.sokolblosser.com
Yamhill Valley Vineyards, Oregon
2000 Estate Reserve
www.yamhill.com
My favorites were Hitching Post -- wonderful deep and brambley fruit. I like a pinot that really stands up in your mouth with lots of dark fruit. This pinot pretty much exceeded my expectations. The Firesteed was without doubt the steal of the show. At $18, it was outstanding and more than adequate as an everyday pinot (if there is such a thing). Chehalem's Ridgecrest -- a perennial favorite of mine -- was wonderful as well.
This year's event was a little shorter -- three hours -- and for the first time in three years, I was reasonably coherent when we left (probably thanks to having John along). We all went to the Bistro in Dundee on the way home and had a perfect meal to end a perfect day.
Last Sunday, we attended the Stoller Vineyard picnic on the family property west of Dundee. They provided picnic baskets and wine and we brought our blankets. They served '01 and '02 pinots as well as the most recently chardonnay bottling. We enjoyed the '02 most, though Bill is doing a very nice chard and is a big believer in the Oregon chardonnay industry. That's super interesting because for the longest time, I just gave up on Oregon chards. They just didn't taste like chards and the excuse was always that they were made in the burgundian style. Fine, but I didn't like them.
With the arrival of the Dijon clones, that is changing quite a bit. We barrel tasted the new chard (probably the '03, but I forgot) and it was wonderful and will get better. Bill's definitely onto something. He's got about 150 acres of grapes planted now on this hillside property, 20 of which are in chardonnay. The rest is primarily pinot. Work has also begun on the new winery very near the oak grove where we picnicked. Argyle is still making some very nice chards as well. We like the reserve that sells for about $23. Lots of tropical fruits with just the right vanilla/creamy finish.
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