Oregon pinot for Thanksgiving & a nice port

[SteveTimko]

2010 Cowan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Isa - USA, California, North Coast, Lake County (11/24/2011)

I pulled the cork on this Thanksgiving eve and let it breathe overnight. I thought it showed okay for Thanksgiving dinner. Again, I got more tropical fruits. I told Glenn I didn't get any grapefruit. He replied he definitely got grapefruit. It had nice acidity and some heft from the tannins. Good finish. I thought it went well with the food. I left it with Glenn and Lisa and Glenn said he left it out overnight again with the cork out and felt it showed much better the day after Thanksgiving. So maybe the answer is to age it or decant it and let it sit overnight in the decanter.

2004 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Anden - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/24/2011)

This was tight when I tried it. Glenn said it opened up later but I never got back to it. The nose didn't give up much despite much swirling. The palate seemed like it had darker fruits. The Shea served along side it seemed quite a bit more advanced. I'd let this sleep for another couple of years at least.

2004 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton (11/24/2011)

This is showing very well and this is a good time to drink this up. Subdued enough to be Oregon. Some earthiness and spices on the nose. Brighter cherry on the palate. Excellent finish. Balanced and smooth.

1985 Graham Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/24/2011)

THis is showing quite nicely Glenn decanted it for much of the day and I think that helped a lot of the alcohol to blow off so it didn't seem out of balance. It came across as quite rounded. Obviously darker fruits like fig and raisins dominated. The wine seemed to have great balance and harmony and that's what stood out. This was one of the better ports I've had in a while. Imported by Vieux vins, Inc.

2001 Medici Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate Block I, II - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/23/2011)

Seems to be in better shape now than when I tasted it in 2008. Nicely aged. Kind of a nice mix of red fruits and tea. Maybe some spices.Good elegance. Decent finish. Tasted very Oregon in that it wasn't very big. I wish I had more.

 

[Vincent Fritzsche]

Good note on the Medici. A chameleon of a producer, but some bottles show very well.

Thinking of Medici, check out fellow disorderly Scott Frank's first release of his Bow and Arrow label, 2010 Pinot Noir from old vines at Medici. I helped on harvest day, Scott's a friend, and I haven't even tried the wine. But I'm sure it's worthwhile and given Scott's plans for Loire friendly varieties here in the Willamette Valley - including Pinot! - I think people here might find his project interesting.

 

[SteveTimko]

I've only tasted the 2001, 2002 and 2003 vintages of the Medici. I didn't care for the 2003, but everything I tasted in 2001 and 2002 seemed good. The 2001 seemed to gain weight from the time in 2008 when I tasted it.
How is it a chameleon?
I wonder if he only makes wine from grapes he can't sell.
His winemaker is supposed to be the guy who makes Sineann.
I'll check out Bow and Arrow.

 

[Vincent Fritzsche]

Chameleon in that some bottles seem tired, some bottles are beautiful. Medici is like our local Prince Pontiaowski. Wines from back vintages from a great source that sometimes are incredible and sometimes curiosity.

2003 was so hot and tough here. Wines generally lacking freshness even young. Time hasn't been good.

Money where my mouth is - just bought some 2010 Bow and Arrow. Will report back.

 

[SteveTimko]

Cronin from the Santa Cruz Mountains is inconsistent like that. One Cronin Nancy's Cuvee chardonnay seemed a couple of years past its prime. The next year I tried one from the same vintage it was one of the best California chardonnays I've had. It had years to go. Both had been stored at the winery.