2006 Solena Pinot Noir, Oregon: what I remember knowing about this wine is that it's made by a French winemaker who has lived and consulted in the Willamette Valley for the last 20 yearsish, and this is his own label. He's bought a vineyard I believe but it's not ready yet, and this wine was made from purchased fruit. I bought two bottles several years ago and remember liking the first, but we didn't find this one appealing: it's greenish, and the sweetness is that of sugar, not fruit. Also on the palate not the nose, perfumey flavors (ever lick skin where cologne was sprayed? That!) almost as if artificial flavorings were added. We fed it to the camellias.
Separately, I'm testing wines for a Santa Barbara region tasting I'm helping with in a few weeks, and here are the three we tried last week, coincidentally all were $17.
2009 Talbott 'Logan', Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Pinot Noir: Compelling at the $17 price tag (Costco). Overly charred barrels show too prominently for my tastes at first (oh why do they do that), but that does recede/integrate somewhat with time and there's a complex suite off pinot flavors here--raspberry, tomato skin, thyme--unexpected at this price point. It will be very popular as a value play, I'll buy for the tasting.
2009 Au Bon Climat, Santa Rita Hills: Bluish color, sweet, monochromatic fruit. Lacking the charred barrel or any sign of oak at all, I like it's purity, but it seems rather simple next to the Talbott. I know it would get some first place votes especially from the ladies in the room, but we can do better.
2010 Qupe Chardonnay/Viognier blend: 50/50, I believe, and where I often think white blends mute the best of it's various grapes, I have to say this is one of the best California whites I've had recently. Bob Lindquist got the best stone fruit attributes out of the viognier without the old lady perfume, and used the chardonnay to give the wine structure and power. The result is all honeysuckle and minerals, dry and full on the palate. Absolutely, 100% a yes.