I didn't think that I would like this, as the Asian spice flavors in many OR PNs are not my favorite. And, I used to really like CA and OR PNs. After an hour of decanter air, this PN has bright red fruits (cherry, strawberry, and underripe plum), nice brisk acidity, and good mid-palate and finish. The Asian spices are not very prominent. Still notable tannins, but not too much. Some alcohol heat on the finish, though (I saw that it says 13.8 on the label). We had a light-weight, village-level 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin last night (in the same price range surprisingly), with a more reasonable 13%. I gave that 90, so this can't be more than 88-89, even though I do like it well enough.
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"Strangest thing... it tastes like nothing", this was the consensus of the crowd after tasting this oddball. My previous note speaks of ripe fruit and pop; but here, nothing. The ultimate dumb phase.
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A little haziness to the color. Bright, fresh red fruit - fresh bing cherries and cranberry juice. Like fresh from a barrel tasting - musty. Good creamy palate weight with hints of deep, dark undertones. Med(+) acid keeps the finish long and lively. Mild tannins.
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Very light cran-ruby rose' color. No sediment present. Profound cherry, including some barnyard funk and garrigue in the bouquet. The structure of acidity and the mineral feel on the palate are notable highlights for this wine, as the fruit is just a bit candied with little root beer hints, which I don't mind considering the Oregon origin. Good nuance and complexity for the price point, and I would rank this over the few other OR pinots in the same range that I've tasted. 4+11+15+8= 88
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Wine drinks like an 85 point big juice jug wine (granted, that's good jug wine) on the first day. Think Franzia meets Jonata Todos...actually, I don't really know about the Franzia, but you have this Pinot that doesn't taste like a Pinot at all. It's all big juice with a little evergreen tree sap. On Day 2 this wine drinks more true to its varietal...at least the OR interpretation of it. It's still big juice but the profile moves forward a bit, somehow the mouthfeel releases the viscosity and the evergreen tree sap moves to more nuanced garrique with some minerality on the late palate and finish.
Remind yourself: $20. It's worth that, but it's not a wine to drink if you really want a Pinot...plus you really need to open it, then put the cork back in and drink the second day.
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4/16/2020 - pinoteer Likes this wine: 88 Points
I didn't think that I would like this, as the Asian spice flavors in many OR PNs are not my favorite. And, I used to really like CA and OR PNs. After an hour of decanter air, this PN has bright red fruits (cherry, strawberry, and underripe plum), nice brisk acidity, and good mid-palate and finish. The Asian spices are not very prominent. Still notable tannins, but not too much. Some alcohol heat on the finish, though (I saw that it says 13.8 on the label). We had a light-weight, village-level 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin last night (in the same price range surprisingly), with a more reasonable 13%. I gave that 90, so this can't be more than 88-89, even though I do like it well enough.
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11/19/2019 - RDB Wine Likes this wine: 75 Points
Light strawberry spice nose. Medium watery red. Light even body touch spice, wood and strawberry. Gift from Stephane. 7/10.
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9/5/2019 - J&A's wrote: 90 Points
Raspberry, earthy good!
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6/1/2019 - Fuz98112 wrote: 90 Points
Just kept evolving over three hours. Lovely with salmon.
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1/20/2019 - davidspieker wrote: 88 Points
Clear ruby color. Musty dark fruit aromas. Full and earthy dark cherry and berry flavors with cranberry on a lengthy finish. Good acidity for food.
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12/8/2018 - brinko99 wrote: 87 Points
"Strangest thing... it tastes like nothing", this was the consensus of the crowd after tasting this oddball. My previous note speaks of ripe fruit and pop; but here, nothing. The ultimate dumb phase.
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10/27/2018 - brinko99 wrote: 89 Points
Great showing...ripe, fruit integrated into nice whole. Stewed cherry, forest floor, plenty of pop. Time to drink up.
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3/30/2018 - zinfandel601 wrote: 89 Points
A little haziness to the color. Bright, fresh red fruit - fresh bing cherries and cranberry juice. Like fresh from a barrel tasting - musty. Good creamy palate weight with hints of deep, dark undertones. Med(+) acid keeps the finish long and lively. Mild tannins.
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1/30/2018 - davidspieker wrote: 88 Points
Nice clear ruby color. Musty fruit aromas. Full and earthy dark berry flavors with lengthy cranberry finish. Good acidity for food.
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7/27/2017 - thebonnydooner wrote: 88 Points
Decent to good OR pinot, nice bright fruit and juicy cranberry cherry fruit. Quite a bit of bitterness which is nice with food.
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6/17/2017 - fingers Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very light cran-ruby rose' color. No sediment present. Profound cherry, including some barnyard funk and garrigue in the bouquet. The structure of acidity and the mineral feel on the palate are notable highlights for this wine, as the fruit is just a bit candied with little root beer hints, which I don't mind considering the Oregon origin. Good nuance and complexity for the price point, and I would rank this over the few other OR pinots in the same range that I've tasted. 4+11+15+8= 88
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2/10/2017 - tastark Likes this wine:
A modern style Pinot Noir more reminiscent of CA than OR, but it's varietally correct and a good value.
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8/13/2016 - Motz wrote: 88 Points
Bold, juicy, and grapey up front, but it packs a substantive punch at the middle and back. Very well made and likely an excellent Turkey Day pairing.
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7/9/2016 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: 89 Points
Big juice food wine. Don't look for finesse or terroir. This is in your face.
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6/21/2016 - Rick 4 Wine wrote: 88 Points
Wine drinks like an 85 point big juice jug wine (granted, that's good jug wine) on the first day. Think Franzia meets Jonata Todos...actually, I don't really know about the Franzia, but you have this Pinot that doesn't taste like a Pinot at all. It's all big juice with a little evergreen tree sap. On Day 2 this wine drinks more true to its varietal...at least the OR interpretation of it. It's still big juice but the profile moves forward a bit, somehow the mouthfeel releases the viscosity and the evergreen tree sap moves to more nuanced garrique with some minerality on the late palate and finish.
Remind yourself: $20. It's worth that, but it's not a wine to drink if you really want a Pinot...plus you really need to open it, then put the cork back in and drink the second day.
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5/31/2016 - jmcmchi wrote:
Can't add much to Motz's comment
This is an attractive, commercial, offering with cherry, and cherry. Fresh cherry nose, same on palate turning to light barnyard on back
Straightforward, with nice turn of acidity at finish
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2/16/2016 - Motz wrote: 87 Points
Fruit forward, grapey, and concentrated. The wine delivers more power and flavor than one might expect.
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