Redhawk Winery
Tasting done by woman with a low cut dress, platinum blond hair and outgoing personality. She seemed to know enough about wine to get by, but had only been on the job for a month. Tasting experience: good.
Rose 2010 pinot noir (I think, not in my notes)
Pale salmon. Big ripe strawberries on the nose with some red huckleberry notes. Midpalate was rich and fruity with peachy strawberries. Nice ripe fruity medium finish with good acidity and nice balance.
Grateful red pinot noir 2009 13.5% abv
Pale ruby. Expressive nose with mushroomy strawberries. Light cherry and juicy acidity on the midpalate followed by very light tannins. Short to medium length finish.
Patacoli Family vineyard pinot noir 2007
Clear ruby. Fresh red fruit nose with a hint of red raspberry. Nice light midpalate of red fruit and palate refreshing acidity. Medium finish with a red fruit flourish at the end.
St. Innocent Winery
Our tasting person was a man (Joe, I think, but I have terrible memory for names) who knew his wines well and helped you explore them. Experience: excellent.
Villages cuvee pinot noir 2009 13.5% abv $24
Clear ruby. Expressive and classic pinot noir nose of light barnyard and tart cherries. Luscious black cherry and red fruit on the midpalate with juicy acidity and solid but smooth tannins. Medium-long finish with a tannic twang at the back of the palate. Nice pinot.
Zenith vineyard 2007 estate pinot noir 12.1% abv $25
Clear ruby. Barnyardy nose with hints of red fruit. Gorgeous midpalate of ripe red fruit, bright acidity, smooth tannins and a slightly peppery spiciness. The finish was medium long and did a gradual tannic fade. Definitely a burgundian style pinot.
Mamtazi vineyard 2007 pinot noir 13.5% abv $30 (on sale) bought 3 bottles
Ruby. Effusive nose of barnyard and cherries in perfect balance. Midpalate has good structure with ripe cherry fruit, refreshing acidity and layers of flavor. The finishing touch of cherries fading into an acidic glow was a nice touch. Nice balanced wine and a good ager, I think.
Mamtazi vineyard 2008 pinot noir 13.5% abv $39
Ruby. Nose fruitier than the 2007 with cherries, red raspberries and mushroomy notes. Bright red fruit to pair with the tingly but smooth tannins and juicy acidity on the midpalate. Nice medium length cherry fruit finish. Good balance.
Freedom Hill 2008 pinot noir 13.5% abv $42 bought one bottle
Clear ruby. Barnyardy plus nose at first! Barnyard blew off with some time and the cherry fruit started to emerge. Beautiful midpalate of tart cherries, refreshing acidity and silky tannins playing a concert on the middle of my tongue. Nice medium to long finish of cherry cola. Best wine of the flight with excellent balance.
Bethel Heights winery
This winery has an impressive view from the tasting room. We had a nice woman for our tasting leader who reminded me of Snow White. Experience: very good.
Willamette valley 2008 pinot noir 13.15% abv $28
Ruby. Nice forest floor and cherry nose. Ripe red fruit palate with balancing acidity and smooth tannins. Medium finish. Overall good structure to this wine.
2008 Estate pinot noir 13% abv $30
Medium ruby. Light barnyardy nose with some cherries in the background. Sweet cherry fruit, juicy acidity and sweet tannins on the midpalate. Medium length acidic fruit finish.
Southwest Block 2007 pinot noir 13.2% abv
Ruby. Earthy to barnyardy nose with some red fruit notes. Bright red cherries, nice acidity and silky tannins on the midpalate. Medium-long finish of red fruit and acidity. Nice wine.
Casteel Reserve 2007 pinot noir 13.2% abv (South Block fruit for the most part)
Clear ruby. Nice balanced nose of earthy red tart fruit. Nicely balanced midpalate with red fruit and delicious acidity and smooth tannins. Medium-long finish of fruit and light tannic touch.
Van Duzer winery
Their tasting room was actually closed for renovations when we got there. However, the woman who ran the tasting room graciously said we could taste some wines, if we did not mind the mess (It was not really messy at all, since the had just started). The view from this tasting room was also quite scenic, since they were also located on top of a hill. Tasting experience: very good.
Estate pinot noir 2008 13% abv $30
Medium ruby. Dark fruit nose especially black cherry and some oak. Midpalate also has oak and cherries with good and acidity and some tannic touches. Medium length finish with some tannic twang at the end. Good balance and will probably age well.
Dijon blocks 2008 pinot noir 13.5% abv $45
Medium dark ruby. Earthy cherry nose with dark fruit notes. Ripe red fruit on the midpalate with refreshing acidity and dark fruit, especially black cherries to match up with the smooth tannins. Nice medium-long finish that has a dark fruit fade at the end that really finishes off nicely. Nice balanced wine.
Flagpole block 2008 pinot noir 13.5% abv $45 bought one
Medium dark ruby. Forest floor with dark cherry nose. Nicely balanced midpalate with elements of cherries, plums, dark fruit, juicy acidity and tannins complementing each other in a palate-pleasing manner. Nice long finish of fruit. My favorite pinot of the flight.
Perplexity 2001 18% abv $50 bought one (from Parducci ranch in Ukiah, CA) An American port style wine.
Deep garnet red. Pruney portlike nose. Sweet prune and dark cherry midpalate with delicious dark chocolate notes. Long luxurious finish. 51% Souzão, 23% Tinta Cão, 15% Valdepeñas, 11% Tourigal
Ok,it is not a pinot noir! but I like it, I like it!
So ends my pinot tasting notes for this foray into Oregon wine country. I must say this was a very enjoyable two days in the Willamette Valley. We will have to go back some day.