Craig Camp
Craig Camp
It has to be faced. The 2006 vintage in Oregon was not great and there were a lot of bad wines made with alcohols pushing 15%. It's hard to find a really exciting Oregon 06 and that Belle Pente is about as good as they get.
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Nice Oregon and South African pinots
- Thread starter SteveTimko
- Start date
Craig,
I was wondering what your thoughts were regarding the '06 Pinot Noir from Prive Vineyard, if you've tasted it.
I tried the Nord not too long ago and liked it. It was definitely ripe but not overly alcoholic or blousy. I think the label said 13%, but it may have been higher.
I was wondering what your thoughts were regarding the '06 Pinot Noir from Prive Vineyard, if you've tasted it.
I tried the Nord not too long ago and liked it. It was definitely ripe but not overly alcoholic or blousy. I think the label said 13%, but it may have been higher.
Craig Camp
Craig Camp
I've not yet had the Prive 06s. I'll have to get over there and taste them. Moderate alcohol in an Oregon 06 is hard to find.
Well said. Just enjoyed the 06 Yamhill-Carlton bottling two nights ago but I'm a little concerned about the 06 Murto and Estate. Cameron seemed to do a nice job of controlling things, but you have to wade through the reduction. All of my go-to low alcohol Pinot producers were challenged. Any thoughts on 06 Thomas?originally posted by Craig Camp:
It has to be faced. The 2006 vintage in Oregon was not great and there were a lot of bad wines made with alcohols pushing 15%. It's hard to find a really exciting Oregon 06 and that Belle Pente is about as good as they get.
Liner and Elsen has the latest release from McKinlay. I haven't tasted broadly from McKinlay, but the ones I've had were delicious and well worth the (inexpensive) price. I believe it's a 2007 but I have no idea what 2007 was like in Oregon.
I guess what I'm saying is for $16 or $17 (can't recall specifically), I'd definitely give it a try if I was in a purchasing mode.
I guess what I'm saying is for $16 or $17 (can't recall specifically), I'd definitely give it a try if I was in a purchasing mode.
"Ive been warning winery visitors that this may be a vintage that will separate the wheat from the chaff among the supposed true pinot drinkers, especially coming on the heels of the super ripe 2006 vintage. This is to say that many new wine consumers who have been learning to appreciate pinot noir via the readily available fruit bomb styled wines (mostly new world offerings) will be in for a bit of a surprise when they experience the delicate and leaner style of the typical 07 Oregon pinots. In a sense though, 2007 was a winemakers dream in that it naturally yielded very pretty and balanced wines. To be sure, they wont have the rich brooding fruit and long finish of a riper vintage, but for afficianados of fruit purity and finesse, these wines should satisfy your yearning." Russ Raney
With respect to 2007 OR Pinots and some limited barrel tasting...I believe.
With respect to 2007 OR Pinots and some limited barrel tasting...I believe.
2006 was a hot vintage, to say the least, and many producers struggled to make wines with balance. In general terms, things are pretty hit and miss, even within a given producers line-up. Overall, I wouldn't call it a bad vintage, as much as a vintage with more fruit and less structure. 2006 is, to put it simply, a drinking vintage, but not a holding one.
Cameron wines have faired well, at least on the lower level bottlings. They haven't released their top crus yet, but they seem pretty confident. The current release, Arley's Leap, is mostly made from higher elevation vineyards, sparing it many of the effects of the vintage. It does favor fruit over earthiness, but it still retains balance.
J. Christopher wines have also done well. I've only tried the Dundee Hills and the Charlie's Vineyard, and both have balanced fruits to structure, and interesting aromatics to boot.
I don't know about Thomas yet, but I'm willing to risk things are good with him as well (especially since I've generally liked wines from Dundee Hills in this vintage.) I had a 2001 last night, which was gorgeous. Later today, in fact, I'm heading out to grab my yearly haul...
As for 2007, this is going to be a great vintage. Or, at least, a classic one. The wines are clean, mineral-laced and structured for a good life-span. I recommend Ayres, who have already released their entire 2007 line-up. In a few years these wines should really shine. The Evesham Wood 2007 Willamette Valley bottling is another sign of good things to come, as is the McKinlay.
2007 will stand in sharp contrast to 2006. While 06 wines are fruit-forward and best consumed young, the 07 wines are much more mineral-driven and built around a tighter core of acidity and tannin. In many ways this is good, as I will happily drink my 06's while stashing away my 07's (and 04's and 05's) until I think they are good and ready.
Cameron wines have faired well, at least on the lower level bottlings. They haven't released their top crus yet, but they seem pretty confident. The current release, Arley's Leap, is mostly made from higher elevation vineyards, sparing it many of the effects of the vintage. It does favor fruit over earthiness, but it still retains balance.
J. Christopher wines have also done well. I've only tried the Dundee Hills and the Charlie's Vineyard, and both have balanced fruits to structure, and interesting aromatics to boot.
I don't know about Thomas yet, but I'm willing to risk things are good with him as well (especially since I've generally liked wines from Dundee Hills in this vintage.) I had a 2001 last night, which was gorgeous. Later today, in fact, I'm heading out to grab my yearly haul...
As for 2007, this is going to be a great vintage. Or, at least, a classic one. The wines are clean, mineral-laced and structured for a good life-span. I recommend Ayres, who have already released their entire 2007 line-up. In a few years these wines should really shine. The Evesham Wood 2007 Willamette Valley bottling is another sign of good things to come, as is the McKinlay.
2007 will stand in sharp contrast to 2006. While 06 wines are fruit-forward and best consumed young, the 07 wines are much more mineral-driven and built around a tighter core of acidity and tannin. In many ways this is good, as I will happily drink my 06's while stashing away my 07's (and 04's and 05's) until I think they are good and ready.
Bill Averett
Bill Averett
originally posted by jack hott:
2006 and 20072006 was a hot vintage, to say the least, and many producers struggled to make wines with balance. In general terms, things are pretty hit and miss, even within a given producers line-up. Overall, I wouldn't call it a bad vintage, as much as a vintage with more fruit and less structure. 2006 is, to put it simply, a drinking vintage, but not a holding one.
Cameron wines have faired well, at least on the lower level bottlings. They haven't released their top crus yet, but they seem pretty confident. The current release, Arley's Leap, is mostly made from higher elevation vineyards, sparing it many of the effects of the vintage. It does favor fruit over earthiness, but it still retains balance.
J. Christopher wines have also done well. I've only tried the Dundee Hills and the Charlie's Vineyard, and both have balanced fruits to structure, and interesting aromatics to boot.
I don't know about Thomas yet, but I'm willing to risk things are good with him as well (especially since I've generally liked wines from Dundee Hills in this vintage.) I had a 2001 last night, which was gorgeous. Later today, in fact, I'm heading out to grab my yearly haul...
As for 2007, this is going to be a great vintage. Or, at least, a classic one. The wines are clean, mineral-laced and structured for a good life-span. I recommend Ayres, who have already released their entire 2007 line-up. In a few years these wines should really shine. The Evesham Wood 2007 Willamette Valley bottling is another sign of good things to come, as is the McKinlay.
2007 will stand in sharp contrast to 2006. While 06 wines are fruit-forward and best consumed young, the 07 wines are much more mineral-driven and built around a tighter core of acidity and tannin. In many ways this is good, as I will happily drink my 06's while stashing away my 07's (and 04's and 05's) until I think they are good and ready.
I was in WV in early September and the Ayres 2007 (particularly the basic WV) would be my choice for "best producer of the vintage."
Russ Raney is one of my favorite producers, and I was shocked when he told me he had to chapitalize the WV bottling. Can someone explain to me how this could be construed positively?
Did some barrel tasting at Cameron in August. Already added some 06 Arleys with an eye out for their Abbey and Electrique. J. Christopher is doing some good stuff but have only tried their 05. Also risked the 06 vintage with Thomas, great that the 01 is showing well. I'll keep an eye out for the 07 Ayres...Pioneer? Heard about some green in EW's 07 WV, but from Puits Sec up should be excellent.
Bill Averett
Bill Averett
originally posted by rdtrimpi:
Did some barrel tasting at Cameron in August. Already added some 06 Arleys with an eye out for their Abbey and Electrique. J. Christopher is doing some good stuff but have only tried their 05. Also risked the 06 vintage with Thomas, great that the 01 is showing well. I'll keep an eye out for the 07 Ayres...Pioneer? Heard about some green in EW's 07 WV, but from Puits Sec up should be excellent.
Pioneer is a little more polished. Piper should age nicely. The Ayres WV is solid. Shows nice acidity and is balanced. Already bought some Le Puits Sec 06 and Seven Springs from EW. Cameron Arley's Leap, yes if still available. I bought some Clos Electrique. I think Arley's may be the way to go for 06's.