Today was the first day back with several of the reps and new wine. For the complete update on my trip to oregon I will post here the article I do for the Tastebud magazine. Just what I didnt need was another Pinot Grigio from Italy but craig brought in the 2006 Borgo M with beautiful acidity, a picquant touch of grapefruit.
2007 Triebaumer Blaufrankish Rose soft and lush and nice enough acidity to match with most foods. Not as sweet as last year but thats alright.
2006 Solitude Cote du Rhone..dark color in the glass but I think a little green on the palate from youth...or too much grenache.
2004 Elderton Friends Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Australia nose of a syrah or Iodinie...lots of black fruit, a small bite on the end but not too annoying. around $18
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
day 2 of pinot camp
I think it is interesting that the wine that made the biggest impression on me at pinot camp was not pinot noir but pinot blanc,a white mutation of pinot noir.. from bethel heights a beautiful, rounded aromatic but not sweet wine knocked my socks off last night at the pre tasting event at domaine serene which was beautiful too, and luckily today at Oregon cool whites we tasted it again blind and luckily I was able to pick it out from a flight of 6 .
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Day One of Pinot Camp
Interestingly enough the most exciting part of my day so far has been about aviation. We had breakfast in the museum that houses the Spruce Goose of Howard Hughes fame....its huge... and gray. located in the city of McMinnville where I am staying.
Our first seminar was a basic history of Oregon winemaking and what makes Oregon special for Pinot Noir.
Second Seminar was a vintage tasting with 5 wineries in particular...at least what theylook for in wine..fruit..is it bright or jammy tannin...light or heavy..acidity..tart or not and balance... then we tasted through wines of vintage annd looked at forward vs ageable..acidity or lush...
the wineries represented at the panel were Raptor Ridge, Eyrie, Archery Summit, Panther Creek and Elk Cove. All represented in missouri except for Raptor.
The afternoon seminar was a walking and tasting seminar at Domaine Drouhin Oregon on the Dundee Hills...they had carved out a 6 foot crater to show the depth of soil and where it came from.
They also explained sustainablity practices of cover crops, canopy maintenance and soil maintenance.
The wines tried here were from Drouhin, Erath and Lange..All which are represented in Missouri.
So far the information has been general and not to specific. I think I can tell I am getting older by the crowd of people (none of whom I know) I seem to gravitate toward. There are several 20 somethings who I envy in a way because I would have loved to have their passion when I was that age, but a lot of them are just asking questions that they know the answer of or making statements so they can appear to be smart or intelligent. My mother always said be silent and thought a fool instead of speaking and removing all doubt.
Dinner tonite at DOmaine Serene, one of the more pricey wineries. 25 wineries will be represented tonight
Our first seminar was a basic history of Oregon winemaking and what makes Oregon special for Pinot Noir.
Second Seminar was a vintage tasting with 5 wineries in particular...at least what theylook for in wine..fruit..is it bright or jammy tannin...light or heavy..acidity..tart or not and balance... then we tasted through wines of vintage annd looked at forward vs ageable..acidity or lush...
the wineries represented at the panel were Raptor Ridge, Eyrie, Archery Summit, Panther Creek and Elk Cove. All represented in missouri except for Raptor.
The afternoon seminar was a walking and tasting seminar at Domaine Drouhin Oregon on the Dundee Hills...they had carved out a 6 foot crater to show the depth of soil and where it came from.
They also explained sustainablity practices of cover crops, canopy maintenance and soil maintenance.
The wines tried here were from Drouhin, Erath and Lange..All which are represented in Missouri.
So far the information has been general and not to specific. I think I can tell I am getting older by the crowd of people (none of whom I know) I seem to gravitate toward. There are several 20 somethings who I envy in a way because I would have loved to have their passion when I was that age, but a lot of them are just asking questions that they know the answer of or making statements so they can appear to be smart or intelligent. My mother always said be silent and thought a fool instead of speaking and removing all doubt.
Dinner tonite at DOmaine Serene, one of the more pricey wineries. 25 wineries will be represented tonight
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ciaran Malloy and Bogle Wines
Tasted through the lineup of Bogle wines today with the rep from bogle and the distributor rep. these wines have always been consistent and great value wines, maybe nothing exceptional but nothing awful either...
Bogle Sauv Blanc 06 a pink grapefruit style...trying to be new zealand...another example of the mondovino effect...sweet.
Bogle chardonnay sweet and a touch oaky..wall street journal always rates this as a top wine for the value and cost
Bogle PinotNoir 06 russian river ...light color...some cranberry...nice glass for the money..
Bogle Merlot..its merlot what more can yousay
Bogle Cabernet ..nice bottling for juice..some of the fruit actually comes from Napa and Sonoma...not very tannic but a little hot on the palate...alcohol.
Bogle Old Vine Zin ...not terribly impressed today...juicy, bordeaux style zin but nothing overly exciting.. a little chewy but for old vin a little disappointing.
Bogle Petite Syrah..dark color...juicy..interesting for people wanting to try a petite because of the price...usually a teeth stainer.
Bogle Sauv Blanc 06 a pink grapefruit style...trying to be new zealand...another example of the mondovino effect...sweet.
Bogle chardonnay sweet and a touch oaky..wall street journal always rates this as a top wine for the value and cost
Bogle PinotNoir 06 russian river ...light color...some cranberry...nice glass for the money..
Bogle Merlot..its merlot what more can yousay
Bogle Cabernet ..nice bottling for juice..some of the fruit actually comes from Napa and Sonoma...not very tannic but a little hot on the palate...alcohol.
Bogle Old Vine Zin ...not terribly impressed today...juicy, bordeaux style zin but nothing overly exciting.. a little chewy but for old vin a little disappointing.
Bogle Petite Syrah..dark color...juicy..interesting for people wanting to try a petite because of the price...usually a teeth stainer.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Marc Shoemaker of Glazer
Usually the big companies do not have much to taste as they are all about hitting the numbers that the big guns put to them
Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio 2006 light minerla nothing original or interesting..definitely NOT fierce
Acacia 2006 Chardonnay Carneros fruity nose, creamy , some butter on the palate, lemon curd?? long finish with a toasty end.
111 Century Sryah North Coast 2005 some red fruit, uninspired and oring..a bit rustic..with some bing cherry and then nothing..a little spice on the end but....
Derrick Coffelt of Bommarito
2006 Olivet Lane Chardonnay lots of mineral and dry..dry dry...for those people looking for the anti california chardonnay
Figge Syrah 2005 Arroyo Seco from the Central Coast. dark inky color, iodine on the nose and very tight in flavors...may need some time to open up more...
Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio 2006 light minerla nothing original or interesting..definitely NOT fierce
Acacia 2006 Chardonnay Carneros fruity nose, creamy , some butter on the palate, lemon curd?? long finish with a toasty end.
111 Century Sryah North Coast 2005 some red fruit, uninspired and oring..a bit rustic..with some bing cherry and then nothing..a little spice on the end but....
Derrick Coffelt of Bommarito
2006 Olivet Lane Chardonnay lots of mineral and dry..dry dry...for those people looking for the anti california chardonnay
Figge Syrah 2005 Arroyo Seco from the Central Coast. dark inky color, iodine on the nose and very tight in flavors...may need some time to open up more...
last tastings before the trip
several wines yesterday...most had been tasted before in different vintages.
Craig Rohner of Pinnacle had a few interesting wines
Twin Vines Vinho Verde 2007 I like this wine because it does vintage date..usually vinho verde is a blend of recent vintages. light easy sipping wine this has a tang flavor, oranges and astronauts love it
Schmitges Halbrtroken (half dry) Riesling 2007 dry and oranges...no zip or zang to it but nice everyday riesling
St Innocent Shea Vineyards Pinot 2006 beautiful nose with mocha and lots of layers of flavors that keeps evolving.
TirNa Nog Old Vine Grenache Australia 2006 Aussie stink on the nose with a touch of salt? interesting maybe caused by the drought? very tight.
Long Shadows Pirouette 2005 a bordeaux style wine with a touch of syrah...lots of fruit, with a nice balance of tannin and juicy red fruit.. made with Philip Melka and Allen Shoup of St Michelle fame
Craig Rohner of Pinnacle had a few interesting wines
Twin Vines Vinho Verde 2007 I like this wine because it does vintage date..usually vinho verde is a blend of recent vintages. light easy sipping wine this has a tang flavor, oranges and astronauts love it
Schmitges Halbrtroken (half dry) Riesling 2007 dry and oranges...no zip or zang to it but nice everyday riesling
St Innocent Shea Vineyards Pinot 2006 beautiful nose with mocha and lots of layers of flavors that keeps evolving.
TirNa Nog Old Vine Grenache Australia 2006 Aussie stink on the nose with a touch of salt? interesting maybe caused by the drought? very tight.
Long Shadows Pirouette 2005 a bordeaux style wine with a touch of syrah...lots of fruit, with a nice balance of tannin and juicy red fruit.. made with Philip Melka and Allen Shoup of St Michelle fame
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
musar wines with madeline
Musar a winery from Lebanon...strange in a good way.
Cuvee Blanc 2003 Obaideh grape from old vines...dark yellow, dull green olive flavors..but I know in 10 years I will love this wine....just dont know if I can wait that long.
Rose from Cinsault...dark rose color...lots of depth and rose and rich flavors...very lush
Cuvee Rouge 2003 a touch of stewed tomatoe in the nose...will show another bottle
Curatolo nero d'avola and Syrah 2005 dark ruby in color..juicy finish with bit of saddleleather on the finish..I seem to like nero as a grape...the wine is good for food or just by itself.
Cuvee Blanc 2003 Obaideh grape from old vines...dark yellow, dull green olive flavors..but I know in 10 years I will love this wine....just dont know if I can wait that long.
Rose from Cinsault...dark rose color...lots of depth and rose and rich flavors...very lush
Cuvee Rouge 2003 a touch of stewed tomatoe in the nose...will show another bottle
Curatolo nero d'avola and Syrah 2005 dark ruby in color..juicy finish with bit of saddleleather on the finish..I seem to like nero as a grape...the wine is good for food or just by itself.
Darioush winery
This winery is one of the group of wines that came around in the 90's when Napa was at its rise...made by a gentleman who from Tehran established some grocery stores and got into wine.
Chardonnay 2006 lots of alcohol...oaky not overly malo but definitely California chard....
Merlot 2005 rich aromas on the nose and a rich looking bottle too...still hot...the wines may have been better served by being a touch cooler.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 tannin..heat ..cassis big wine for those looking for the ultimate Napa cab.
Caravan 2005 their second label..softer and more approachable than its big brother...juicy with good acidity... needed a steak to compliment it though..lol
Chardonnay 2006 lots of alcohol...oaky not overly malo but definitely California chard....
Merlot 2005 rich aromas on the nose and a rich looking bottle too...still hot...the wines may have been better served by being a touch cooler.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 tannin..heat ..cassis big wine for those looking for the ultimate Napa cab.
Caravan 2005 their second label..softer and more approachable than its big brother...juicy with good acidity... needed a steak to compliment it though..lol
Black Oak wines
A value winery Black Oak is a winery with hit or miss wines..mostly just off the mark but good for the money.
Brut Cuvee NV a chardonnay sparkling wine with a nice roundness that finishes just a little on the bitter side.
Black Oak Sauv Blanc 2005 light, clean, uneventful. gone faster than a horse on a mission
1221 2006 December 21 was the birthday of the founder and that is why the upper end wines have that as their moniker. viognier and chard with the nose being all viognier...a touch sweet and almost interesting
B.O zin 2004 brickish color and some briar on the nose...a little juicy but quick finish.
BO Cabernet 2006 tart bing cherry or cough syrup flavored ...
1221 Cab Cuvee 2004 very pretty garnet color, nice light tannins and juicy..the winner of this little experience
Brut Cuvee NV a chardonnay sparkling wine with a nice roundness that finishes just a little on the bitter side.
Black Oak Sauv Blanc 2005 light, clean, uneventful. gone faster than a horse on a mission
1221 2006 December 21 was the birthday of the founder and that is why the upper end wines have that as their moniker. viognier and chard with the nose being all viognier...a touch sweet and almost interesting
B.O zin 2004 brickish color and some briar on the nose...a little juicy but quick finish.
BO Cabernet 2006 tart bing cherry or cough syrup flavored ...
1221 Cab Cuvee 2004 very pretty garnet color, nice light tannins and juicy..the winner of this little experience
Monday, June 2, 2008
derrick and bernie
Derrick brought two wines.
Elyse Rose 2007 a light salmon color..mostly Pinot Noir but also other rhone style varietals... good light fruit flavors and a quick finish..be bold, set a trend, drink the pink.....
Figge 2005 Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands... a KC native the name is like the pudding...and I actually got some dried fig nose...dark candied fruit, nice finish... a friend of ridge watson of Joullian.
Bernie brought by two wines from Larkmead
Larkmead Firebelle 2005 a bordeaux blend, right bank with more merlot... I was surprised how chunky it tasted but I may still be suffering from the pineapple wines..dark brooding color in the glass...i think it just needs time to settle own..
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 pretty smoke, leather on the nose...full bodied with nice long flavors of dark cherry and tobacco.
Elyse Rose 2007 a light salmon color..mostly Pinot Noir but also other rhone style varietals... good light fruit flavors and a quick finish..be bold, set a trend, drink the pink.....
Figge 2005 Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands... a KC native the name is like the pudding...and I actually got some dried fig nose...dark candied fruit, nice finish... a friend of ridge watson of Joullian.
Bernie brought by two wines from Larkmead
Larkmead Firebelle 2005 a bordeaux blend, right bank with more merlot... I was surprised how chunky it tasted but I may still be suffering from the pineapple wines..dark brooding color in the glass...i think it just needs time to settle own..
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 pretty smoke, leather on the nose...full bodied with nice long flavors of dark cherry and tobacco.
Pineapple wine with Sean
I wonder how these wine guys feel when they are directed to bring around wines, and I use that term loosely here, that are such really just gimmicks.
Tedeschi Maui Blanc Non Vintage..I assume pinepples do not have a vintage season...this was actually not horrible..sweet but a little caramel on the finish.
Maui Splash NV with Passion Fruit.. this one was horrible...strange aromas and artificial flavors and sweet sweet sweet...my teeth still hurt...
Tedeschi Maui Blanc Non Vintage..I assume pinepples do not have a vintage season...this was actually not horrible..sweet but a little caramel on the finish.
Maui Splash NV with Passion Fruit.. this one was horrible...strange aromas and artificial flavors and sweet sweet sweet...my teeth still hurt...
Ledgewood Creek with Doug from Golden barrell
a new winery for this market...they seem to be from the Solano/Contra Costa region...there gimmick is a picnic wine called
PicniQue Sauvignon Blanc 2006 straight pink grapefruit juice...not much else going on
ledgewood Sauv Blanc 2005 a little more of the herbal california style...nice mouthfeel..
PicniQue Chardonnay 2006 a touch on the sweeter side.. a little rough on the upper palate from the high alcohol...a little rough
Ledgewood chardonnay 3 Clones 2006 a touch of ml, some roundness finishes hot also.. uninteresting.
Ledgewood Creek Cabernet 2005 from napa...ruby cloudy in color.nice fruit aromas but rough and green on the finish..
PicniQue Sauvignon Blanc 2006 straight pink grapefruit juice...not much else going on
ledgewood Sauv Blanc 2005 a little more of the herbal california style...nice mouthfeel..
PicniQue Chardonnay 2006 a touch on the sweeter side.. a little rough on the upper palate from the high alcohol...a little rough
Ledgewood chardonnay 3 Clones 2006 a touch of ml, some roundness finishes hot also.. uninteresting.
Ledgewood Creek Cabernet 2005 from napa...ruby cloudy in color.nice fruit aromas but rough and green on the finish..
monday wines
After a nice day o ff going to Arrow rock I had four wine reps come in today with wine to try..here is a breakdown of those...nothing to exciting.
Craig from Pinnacle 2006 Batterieberg Detonation Riesling halbtrocken...so half dry not as sweet but pretty uninteresting..non offensive just no zip
2006 Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc gives it a little more mouthfeel...like almonds and oranges on the palate... nice viscousity... good wine for food
2006 Pisoni Chardonnay moderate creamy notes...malolactic and a little pineapple which will be a recurring theme in todays tasting.
Mas de la Dame Cuvee Gournande 2005 gourmande is someone who eats a lot??? so this wine is made for food?? tried this in the past few months and definitely liked it better the second time around..coffee from the syrah and red berries from the grenache.. in the store.
Elderton Cabernet 2007 Australia 93pts from parker so you know its going to have a lot going on in terms of big bold flavors...but at the same time I was impressed with its finesse finish.
Starlite Vineyards Zinfandel. 2005 didnt try it because its made with the cooperation of Merry Edwards who sells all here own label to restaurants only...she can do the same with this one.
politics...dont you love it.
Craig from Pinnacle 2006 Batterieberg Detonation Riesling halbtrocken...so half dry not as sweet but pretty uninteresting..non offensive just no zip
2006 Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc
Pinot Blanc gives it a little more mouthfeel...like almonds and oranges on the palate... nice viscousity... good wine for food
2006 Pisoni Chardonnay moderate creamy notes...malolactic and a little pineapple which will be a recurring theme in todays tasting.
Mas de la Dame Cuvee Gournande 2005 gourmande is someone who eats a lot??? so this wine is made for food?? tried this in the past few months and definitely liked it better the second time around..coffee from the syrah and red berries from the grenache.. in the store.
Elderton Cabernet 2007 Australia 93pts from parker so you know its going to have a lot going on in terms of big bold flavors...but at the same time I was impressed with its finesse finish.
Starlite Vineyards Zinfandel. 2005 didnt try it because its made with the cooperation of Merry Edwards who sells all here own label to restaurants only...she can do the same with this one.
politics...dont you love it.
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