WTN: 2006 Argyle Spirithouse Reserve

[Jenise]

It's been a long time since I had an Argyle pinot, and this bottle makes me question why. Won in a Christmas gypsy gift exchange, we opened it tonight to pair with pork schnitzels served on wilted cabbage and an earthy fresh mushroom and watercress salad. Supple body, with polished cherry and raspberry fruit accented by just a touch of forest and fungal flavors--classic Oregon, really. Very balanced and satisfying for drinking now thru the next three years, but I didn't find the structure for longer term cellaring.

Argyle Pinot had been a regular drinker at our house. At around $12 it was a great value. Then, when Pinot fever hit, the price shot up and we quit buying it. I do have a couple bottle of "Nuthouse" tucked away that I plan to trot out next year.

I buy the 'regular' Reserve whenever I can find it and prefer it to the basic Pinot from Argyle. While the basic bottling is good, the Reserve so much better. I've not tried the Nuthouse, nor the Spirithouse as I don't want to get hooked.

And I liked the "Cowhouse" Pinot Noir.

Sam,
The Argyle "Horseheiney"© is set to be released in the Spring just for you.
Seriously, the regular Argyle is going for North of $25 last time I even bothered to look. So, like you, I stopped looking.
'Winger

The Argyle "Horseheiney"© is set to be released in the Spring just for you.

Bill,

Perhaps I'll pour a bit of "Dr. L" on it to make a sort of topping/wine suicide. Don't hold your breath for me to share the tasting note with you either, pal!

PS: During this past year I have purchased a grand total of "zero" Pinots from California, and Oregon. Not because I don't like some of them, but because of the high prices. There probably is some value somewhere out there, but I'm not up for the search when I can find so much value, elsewhere, so easily.