WTN: Up a (Panther) Creek

2006 Panther Creek Cellars Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir - When I saw this at the store I thought it would be interesting to taste Panther Creek's take on this vineyard's Pinot Noir, comparing it to the St Innocent version. Since I'd had a multi-vineyard cuvee from Panther Creek before, I was expecting a typical Oregon Pinot. That's not what I got.

The first clue was the aroma - I could detect a bit of the underlying stop-bath acidity I get from most Pinots, but it was muted in favor of bramble fruit mixed with hazel nuts. It tasted more like a monster zinfandel (although a bit thin for zin), along with a post palate heat that exceeded the 14.3% abv noted on the bottle. It completely overpowered the pork stew I'd prepared for dinner.

Two nights later it had settled down enough to match ok to a char-grilled burger, but it still wasn't very Pinot-like and was still rather hot. I won't be be buying this again. If I'm called by a Panther, I won't anther.

[David M. Bueker]

Sounds like it could tame a cougar though.

I've had a few Panther Creek wines, but never liked any of htem enough tobuy over say St. Innocent, even with the price differential.

But what the heck is "stop-batch acidity?"

Oops - that should be "stop-bath" acidity. That's the step in film/print developing that stops the development process. It's basically acetic acid - many Pinot's remind of this.

[David M. Bueker]

Ah. That makes sense. Should have figured that one out, but I have not developed film since high school.

Sounds like it could tame a cougar though.

I've had a few Panther Creek wines, but never liked any of htem enough tobuy over say St. Innocent, even with the price differential.

But what the heck is "stop-batch acidity?"

Ken Wright made them originally and they were excellent. I had a couple of cases of the '92. They've been in a big slump in recent years. I tasted the 2007 a short while back and found they may be back on track.

[David M. Bueker]

Good to hear. Thanks.