Ten Year Oregon Pinot Retrospective (02 and ealier)

Last night, a group of us met in what has become an at least twice yearly exploration of Oregon Pinot Noir. This is our second year at checking in on them at the ten plus year mark. The wines were opened and slowoxed for about 30 minutes. In retrospect, I am not thinking that I would have done that for a few hours. It is very difficult to find a methodology for this. Every winery seems to require differing rules. Add to that vintage, and its hard to find a consistent rule. Whatever, last night's methodologies did not do justice to the wines. Almost all were still opening and improving at the three hour mark and certainly the better ones were.

For whatever reason, the wines did not show as well. Perhaps atmospheric conditions, but even wines that I had had before had a sub par evening. I am not sure why. Momma said that there'd be days like this. Still it was an interesting experience.

All wines were consumed blind over the course of a few hours. breads and cheeses were served. Thanks to Lou for organizing this. Its always a fun event.

Lou started us off with a white.

• 2010 Bethel Heights Pinot Gris 88 Points

  USA, Oregon

  Silvery copper/gold in color. The nose has lots of minerals with slight tropical fruit notes. On the palate, there is a lot of yellow grapefruit (almost sauvignon blanc-like) with plenty of acidity. I like this wine. Its fresh and vibrant and would work well with food I think. nice way to start an evening.

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2002 and Earlier Oregon Pinot Noir

• 1999 Domaine Coteau Pinot Noir 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Yamhill County

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose has powdered cherries. With air, there is some complexity here. A bit thin on the palate. Plenty of acid. A little cough syrupy but some nice cherry fruit. Drink up.

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• 2001 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

  This kept improving as the night wore on. When first poured there was a tingly acidity to it. Not sure if it was trapped CO2 or what but it seemed to blow off. Very tight on the nose but with air there were cherries. On the palate, slightly jammy with some heat. The heat never totally blew off but did lessen. This kept improving so perhaps it still is in need of some air. Nice wine, but hard to get a handle on.

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• 2002 Sineann Pinot Noir Resonance Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Sineann continues to dominate these tastings. This was the crowds WOTN. It kept improving all night and IMO, this needs some air or time. Tight nose with cherries and showing some complexity. On the palate, this has a really nice texture. Some cherry preserves. With air, there is some layering with some earthiness.

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• 2002 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir 88 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose is different. Besides cherries, there is an initial caramel note. This gives way to an herbal note that others described as either pine or even sauerkraut. Nice texture. A bit cough syrupy, but not bad. Solid wine, but I would drink up.

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• 1999 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec 91 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Ruby in color, but looking flat. The nose is very nice with great depth. Cherries, slightly earthy. Nice texture. Cherry pie filling fruit while remaining feminine. Interesting. Very smooth. In a great place right now. Got better as the evening went along.

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• 2003 Broadley Vineyards Pinot Noir Claudia's Choice 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Somehow this snuck into the tasting. Ruby/purple in color. The nose is dusty with some cherries. Nice but simple. Sweet cherry fruit. Lots of tannins. Clipped finish.

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• 2002 Hamacher Pinot Noir Oregon 91 Points

  USA, Oregon

  My WOTN and the groups #2(tied). Purple/ruby in color. The nose is tight, but with air shows a nice feminine cherry and cherry powder note. Some depth. On the palate, cherries, some cough syrup. with air that mellows and reveals lots of depth. This got better all night and needs time/air. Firm tannins. This seemed to be a love it or hate it wine.

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• 1998 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Flawed

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Bottle was over the hill. While not totally dead on the palate, it was maderized probably due to poor provenance.

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• 2002 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Ruby/purple in color. The nose has sweet cherry fruit. On the palate, this is very ripe. It did improve with air and gain some complexity. At first this was one dimensional. Probably needs time and air, but I would check in on this. A very nice wine right now, so no harm in opening.

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