SteveTimko
Steve Timko
2006 Belle Pente Pinot Gris Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/26/2009)
This tasted different than when I tried it at the winery. It didn't have that tobacco/smokiness that added some complexity to the flavor. Perhaps I didn't let it get enough air. The sweetness was more apparent. It had some nice tropical fruit flavors. Some minerality. This was an attempt at making dessert wine that went awry so the winemaker fermented it mostly dry. The sweetness seems to bury the acid. I liked it, but I liked it better when I tasted it at the winery.
2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Villages Cuve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/26/2009)
Tart, particularly on the finish, that I'd say it's out of balance. But it seems like maybe aging will resolve that. Not a lot on the nose for me. The palate was more sour cherry with some spice and a little tannic kick in the finish. Not much midpalate. I'd like to try this again in two or three years to see how it evolves.
2002 Medici Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate East Block - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/26/2009)
The year of bottle age since I last had this wine has been kind to it. It added weight and depth. Earthiness shows up on the nose. There's also spice on the nose. On the palate, the flavors are red fruit but darker red fruits like raspberry and black cherry, not bright red fruits. Some spice and mushroominess. Vibrant acidity. The finish seems to have improved. Excellent QPR at $26 from the Dark Horse Wine Bar in Newberg, and apparently cheaper elsewhere.
This tasted different than when I tried it at the winery. It didn't have that tobacco/smokiness that added some complexity to the flavor. Perhaps I didn't let it get enough air. The sweetness was more apparent. It had some nice tropical fruit flavors. Some minerality. This was an attempt at making dessert wine that went awry so the winemaker fermented it mostly dry. The sweetness seems to bury the acid. I liked it, but I liked it better when I tasted it at the winery.
2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Villages Cuve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/26/2009)
Tart, particularly on the finish, that I'd say it's out of balance. But it seems like maybe aging will resolve that. Not a lot on the nose for me. The palate was more sour cherry with some spice and a little tannic kick in the finish. Not much midpalate. I'd like to try this again in two or three years to see how it evolves.
2002 Medici Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate East Block - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/26/2009)
The year of bottle age since I last had this wine has been kind to it. It added weight and depth. Earthiness shows up on the nose. There's also spice on the nose. On the palate, the flavors are red fruit but darker red fruits like raspberry and black cherry, not bright red fruits. Some spice and mushroominess. Vibrant acidity. The finish seems to have improved. Excellent QPR at $26 from the Dark Horse Wine Bar in Newberg, and apparently cheaper elsewhere.