I've been drinking lots of pinot lately, a result of yet another late spring trip to Oregon (didn't include winery visit notes though) and the fact that my spouse loves pinot and riesling in particular (am I lucky or what?!).
- 2008 Fidelitas Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills (2019-06-26)
Hazy notes. Lots of black fruits here, some chocolate, not much complexity, but very tasty flavours in a full bodied, plush wine. I always think of this producer's wine as being in a very easy to drink style: lowish acidity, not much tannin and significant oak. This is all true for this wine, not my usual style, but it certainly is a delicious drink. I think this will last several years yet but is drinking well now. (A-) - 2011 Cantina di Santadi Shardana Valli di Porto Pino IGT - Italy, Sardinia, Valli di Porto Pino IGT (2019-06-24)
Hazy notes from last week. This was a very smooth, rich wine with a mix blue and black fruits; quite modern for a (mainly) carignan, without the rustic flavours it can sometimes have in Southern France. A little bit of tannins but rather soft and low acid. But this was a tasty, interesting wine from Sardinia and brought back memories of a visit to the Santadi winery. (B+/A-) - 2014 Urlar Riesling - New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Gladstone (2019-06-23)
This was a very nice riesling, with lime and other citrus notes prevalent here, and a nice purity to the fruit. Medium bodied, and finished dry to just very slightly off dry. Good QPR and a nice surprise (B+/A-) - 2005 Weingut Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Lamm - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal (2019-06-23)
Hazy notes. This is drinking really well now, getting some of those aged characteristics of GV: there was a richer texture and a slight butterscotch note as well. Also pears and green peas on the medium bodied, balanced palate. Great now, but should have lots of time left. (A-/A) - 2001 Irene Alemany Penedès Sot Lefriec - Spain, Catalunya, Penedès (2019-06-19)
Still quite deep in colour, with little bricking. Rich, ripe mix of earthy blue and black fruits on the nose, and these aromas were reflected in the full bodied, concentrated palate. Very smooth in texture, although these are still some very ripe tannins on the finish. This region and style aren't often in sync with my tastes, and this was the case here. Certainly a well made and interesting wine, and it has aged better than I would have anticipated; just not quite my style. (B+/A-) - 2010 Domaine de la Taille aux Loups Montlouis-sur-Loire Remus Plus - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Montlouis-sur-Loire (2019-06-17)
Had this a few days ago and this was the best bottle I've had of this so far. Deep straw in colour, no oxidation, very funky classic chenin notes, good intensity and a long bright finish. (A-/A) - 2014 Mud House Wines Pinot Noir Estate Claim 431 - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago (2019-06-15)
Similar impressions to my previous notes. Earthy black cherries on the medium to full bodied palate, nice pure fruit with a slight oak note. Good QPR, not complex, but a nice midweek Pinot. Great with Copper River salmon! (B+) - 2015 Alto De Casablanca Pinot Noir Ritual - Chile, Casablanca Valley (2019-06-09)
Just had a taste of this, but was again impressed by the quality of this wine. Great QPR here in this flavourful, rich but balanced pinot (B+/A-). - 2013 Nautilus Estate Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough (2019-06-05)
Hazy notes from a couple of days ago. A nice medium bodied pinot with more concentration and flavour than its light appearance would suggest. On the strawberries, cranberries fruit spectrum, with good acidity, improving and integrating with age. (B+/A-) - 2003 Alvear Montilla-Moriles Pedro Ximénez de Añada - Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles (2019-06-05)
Well, this stuff seems to live forever. I found this in the cellar and thought I'd try it. You have to be in the mood for such a sweet, rich, thick wine, but with a chill it's a fun, sticky ride! (B+/A-) - 2008 Weingut Salomon Undhof Riesling Pfaffenberg - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kremstal (2019-06-02)
From a 375. This was an electric riesling, with great acidity and minerality along with the citrus and stonefruit and herbal flavors. Very impressive and in no danger of declining soon. drwine2001's note on CT still captures this wine well. (A-/A) - 2007 Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Saering - France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru (2019-06-02)
There was a hint of oxidation here which affected this bottle. It seemed a little soft and limpid overall, but no rating due to the oxidation. - 2002 Quinta Vale D. Maria Douro - Portugal, Douro (2019-05-31)
Medium ruby with a bit of bricking evident. Mainly ripe redfruits - plums, cherries - on the nose. The same on the medium to full bodied palate, with some nice earthy, herbal and spicy notes as well; there are also some tannins lurking in the background. The healthy acidity cuts through the fruit still. Most Portuguese dry wines I have tried haven't really aged all that well - they age without improving much - but I enjoyed this wine and think it has integrated and aged well. (B+/A-) - 2010 Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Bishop Creek - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton (2019-05-30)
Notes from the second night. Medium ruby in colour. A nice nose of strawberry, earth, and tobacco. Medium bodied palate, good acidity, with more strawberries and earth and a silky texture. This improved - became more integrated - on the second night, but I had hoped for more. (B+/A-) - 2008 Hiedler Riesling Urgestein - Austria, Niederösterreich, Kamptal (2019-05-20)
This punched above its weight. There's some petrol on the nose, and the flavours are really well integrated now, with citrus, mango and pineapple all making an appearance on the medium boded, just very slightly off dry palate. Very nice for a fairly basic bottling from this producer. Good QPR. (B+/A-) - 2015 Mullineux Old Vines White - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland (2019-05-17)
Had this a few weeks ago, so very vague impressions only. Drinking well now, with a nice, rich, medium bodied mix of oak and fruit notes in a well done SA chenin blend. (B+/A-) - 2003 Katnook Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Coonawarra (2019-04-10)
Same notes as the previous bottle: a mouthfilling, powerful cabernet with blackfruits, nutmeg and a hint of chocolate mint. Not OTT though, and its ability to last this long - with no indication of peaking yet - is impressive. (A-/A) - 2004 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (2019-04-07)
From the second night open. The 2004s often have a nice freshness to them compared to the more highly lauded (i.e., ripe) vintages. This has a lovely nose of earthy cherries, plums, herbs, pepper and tar. The medium-full bodied palate echoes the nose, along with ripe tannins that provide structure. Nicely concentrated flavours too. Drinking well now with some air, but will last many years yet. (A-) - 2011 Château Gaudrelle Vouvray - France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray (2019-04-07)
Similar notes to the previous bottle. This is drinking very well now, with very well integrated slightly off dry flavours of pears, wool and apples. It's a medium bodied, elegant vouvray that drinks vert well for a 'basic' bottling. No rush to drink this. (B+/A-) - 2008 Antica Terra Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (2019-04-07)
I am with those that suggest this wine is too rich and ripe. For my tastes, at least, this wine doesn't represent what I look for in Oregon pinots. But it still had some pinosity, with rich cherries and some spice as well. It's just too big and heavy handed, especially for a 2008. (B/B+) - 2009 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Estate Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton (2019-04-04)
'It's Pinot, Jim, but not as we know it'. I hoped age might help this wine mellow out a bit, but this is still an overly ripe wine from a 'big' vineyard/producer and a warm vintage. I'd be hard pressed to guess pinot in a blind tasting. No heat or overt alcohol on the medium bodied, smooth and rather soft palate, but no typical OR pinot notes or spice either. Not my style. (B-)