Deep and velvety color. Classic Cabernet bouquet of black and red currants, cassis and cofee. Ripe flavors but good acid balance and structure. Black and red fruit, coffee and chocolate. Medium long finish.
The winery is located on Howell Mountain and the grapes come from 50-year-old hillsidevineyards. It is aged for 26 months in 100% French oak, 55% new.
Very light color. Beautiful floral/fresh fruit scents typical of Viognier. Melon, peaches and stone fruits on the palate, more like Chenin Blanc. Plump but not at all sweet. No sign of new oak seasoning, but it may have had some lees contact. Goes well with fondue but would also work as an aperitif.
The color is deep with the orangeish tints typical of Nebbiolo. The bouquet is beautifully formed--dark cherries, spice, flowers. You can almost taste the flavors before the wine reaches your mouth. Doesn't explode but expands gently in the mouth with complex flavors. Everything I expect from a well aged Barolo. Coats the tongue and the roof of the mouth with dry, tannic fruit. Acidity keeps it lively and invites sip after sip. "Good to the last drop," one taster observed.
Medium deep garnet. Pomegranate, boysenberries, cocoa and gingery spice on the nose. Good carry through on the palate. Tannin and acid interact nicely on the palate. Good concentration and grip; coats the tongue. Orange and black pepper on the finish. This wine deserves the 92 point rating it received from Wine Enthusiast and retails for $26, a good value for this level of Willamette Valley Pinot.
When first opened, I got intense scents that reminded me of good Cairanne. Upon closer examination, though, a funky, somewhat borsey smell emerged--not entirely bad but too much for Donna (and probably most other wine drinkers). Flavors were okay, but there was a metallic edge that might also indicate brett. Even though the wine is now 14 years of age, I don't think these traits are associated with advanced age or poor storage. With age, though, a level of brett that may have been attractive in youth has now become less palatable. I bought the wine, one bottle, at auction so don't have to worry about future disappointments.
Deep, dark color but no sign of aging in small oak barrels. Beautiful scents of red and blue berries, violets and a talcum-like smell that I associate strongly with Gigondas. Power and beauty. Balance leans a bit more toward tannin and alcohol than I prefer, but the wine is still very enjoyable and a good match for marinated flank steak.
Light straw with good brilliance. Scents of pears and green apples. More of the same on the palate, along with white peaches, herbs and minerals. Right now in Kalamazoo this wine is selling for $7.99 at Trader Joe's and $9.79 for a magnum at Costco. Excellent value.
