Tried over the last two nights w/ dinner:
1. Cristom Viognier Eola-AmityHills/WillametteVlly Estate (14.0%; www.CristomWines.com) 2007: Light gold color; attractive clean/pear/Viog/spicy/nutmeg slight minerally/floral fairly perfumed/aromatic nose; tart rather rich/lush elegant/delicate/pear/Viog slight tangy/minerally/floral clean/crisp flavor; long crisp/lithe/pear/Viog/spicy/delicate bit tangy/floral/mineral attractive finish; needs a yr or two; definitely not in the DollyParton camp. $27.00
_________________________
2. JCCllrs Syrah RockpileVnyd/Rockpile Haley'sReserve (16.1%; www.JCCellars.com) 2003 : Very dark/black color; strong blackberry/boysenberry/Syrah sligt earthy/dusty some toasty/smokey/Fr.oak/charred slight Rhonish bit pungent/licorice some complex nose; tart rather tannic/hard mountain Syrah/tough as nails some blackberry/Syrah/spicy rather toasty/charred/Fr.oak very structured/tight slight Rhonish/smokey flavor; very long tough/tannic/hard strong blackberry/Syrah/spicy rather toasty/charred/Fr.oak bit complex finish; needs another 2-6 yrs yet to evolve.
_____________________________________________________
And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Cristom: This Viognier has exactly what I like in a white wine; a racey acidity, but yet a rich/lush character on the palate that belies that acidity. It lacked that Condrieu minerality/terroir that I love so much, but it certainly was in a Condrieu style.
__________________________
2. Rockpile: This is, to me, a very interesting AVA that, perhaps, has yet to deliver on its promise. The Zins, Syrahs, and PetiteSirahs from Rockpile have a distinct mineral/terroir-driven fragrance to them. Yet, on the palate, they are very structured and tight (when young) and display classic mountain character you get from MtVeeder or HowellMtn or MonteRosso. Most of them really need/benefit from age. They lack the rich & lush character on the palate that other regions deliver. I guess I've can't recall one that was sufficiently mature to knock my socks off. Probably the best is yet to come from this AVA, but it seems to have the potential for greatness.
The one drive-thru I did, clear to the end of the road (Florence vnyd??), I was mightly impressed by its rugged beauty. Certainly way the heck out of the way, but worth the journey. I need to visit some vnyds up there sometime. Would love to see what MikeOfficer could do w/ Rockpile grapes.
Tom