Note: I’m currently in Orlando at the 2013 Society of Wine Educator’s Conference, and decided to pack only my iPad sans keyboard as an experiment…Note to Self: iPad doesn’t allow cool photo formatting, and adding links is a royal pain..so regrets for the less than graphically appealing and link-less post…
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Pinot geeks and foodies unable to attend the full-on International Pinot Noir Celebration in McMinnville, Oregon at Linfield College’s – check out IPNC’s Sunday afternoon Passport to Pinot!
Formerly known as The Walkabout, this event pairs 70 worldwide Pinot producers with 15 local chefs for 4 hours of fun outside on Linfield College’s Commencement Green amidst a glorious sunny afternoon featuring live entertainment and round-table seating. Attire resembled Kentucky-Derby casual, with sundresses, shorts and stylish hats the rule rather than the exception.
This year’s P2P kicked off with a guest lecture and book-signing by renown author and New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov at 1 PM, followed by pourings by 30 wineries from 2-4 PM, followed by pourings by 30 additional wineries from 4-6 PM.
BinNotes could only stay long enough for the first pouring rotation, which included:
BURGUNDY:
Domaine Arnoux Pere & Fils: 2010 Savigny-les-Beaune
Domaine Champy: 2010 Beaune 1er Cru Les Champs Pimont
Domaine Charles Audoin: 2010 Marsannay Au Champ Salomon
Domaine des Clos: 2010 Beaune 1er Cru Les Avaux
Domaine Gille: 2010 Cote de Nuits Villages
Domaine Marc Roy: 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur
Evening Land Vineyards au Chateau de Bligny: 2010 Chambolle Musigny
Maison Ambroise: 2010 Nuits-Saint-George Vieilles Vignes
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of French wine in general, and Evening Land Gamay in particular. I also wanted to do a little reconnaissance for my trip to Burgundy in October.
NOTE: binNotes fave: Alexandrine Roy’s exceptional Domaine Marc Roy 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur emerged a favorite – balanced, refined, elegant.
CALIFORNIA
Anthill Farms: 2011 Abbey Harris Vineyard
Bonaccorsi Wine Company: 2010 Sebastiano
Étude: 2010 Heirloom Estate
Flowers Vineyard & Winery: 2010 Sea View Ridge Estate Vineyard
Gainey Vineyard: 2010 Limited Selection
Kutch Wines: 2011 McDougall Ranch
Saintsbury: 2010 Lee Vineyard
NOTE: binNotes faves: Flowers Vineyard & Winery stood out for it’s freshness, delicacy, and subtle aromas…lovin’ the extreme northern Sonoma coast…
OREGON
Adelsheim Vineyard: 2010 Elizabeth’s Reserve
Amelie Robert Estate: 2010 Wadenswil Clone
Anam Cara Cellars: 2010 Reserve Estate
Belle Pente Vineyard & Winery: 2010 Estate Reserve
Cristom: 2010 Louise Vineyard
De Ponte Cellars: 2010 Dundee Hills
J.K. Carriere: 2010 Vespidae Willamette Valley
Lemelson Vineyards: 2010 Jerome Reserve
Matzinger Davies Wine Co.: 2010 Matzinger Davies
Montinore Estate: 2010 Estate Reserve
Ponzi Estate: 2010 Ponzi
Solena Estate: 2010 Domaine Danielle Laurent
Soter Vineyards: 2010 Mineral Springs Ranch
Tendril Wine Cellars: 2010 White Label
I so looked forward to ‘tasting through’ the soils of the WV AVA’s at Passport To Pinot – Chehalem, Ribbon Ridge, Dundee, Carlton-Yamhill, The Mac (McMinville), and Eola-Amoty Hills. But missing out on the second pouring did not make that goal feasible.
NOTE: binNotes faves: Belle Pente Vineyard & De Ponte Cellars tied for most balanced; Ponzi Estate remains a benchmark for truly ‘great’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs.
WORLD
Pinots from other parts of the world included:
AUSTRIA: Hillinger – 2010 Hillinger Evaline. Taut, bracing, mineral core.
AUSTRALIA: Ten Minutes By Tractor- 2009 Estate. Lush, bold, jammy.
GERMANY: Ziereisen – 2010 Jaspis. Astringent, austere, chiseled.
For foodies, chefs and their sweet and savory selections included:
Briar Rose Creamery
Coquina Supper Club
Crown Paella
HOTLIPS Soda
Juniper Grove Farm
Men’s Artisan Bakery
Levant
Meat Cheese Bread
PBJ’s
Bar Vivant & Pix Patisserie
Portland Penny Diner
Recipe
Red Hills Market
Salt & Straw
Smith Tea
Stumptown Roasters
Walnut City Kitchen NOTE: binNotes fave: The chilled watermelon hazelnut soup!
Proceeds of this event go towards funding Salud Auction November 8 & 9th, 2013.
The Salud auction benefits Salud program, a one-of-a-kind health care program benefitting Willamette Valley’s seasonal vineyard workers.
Copyrighted 2013. All Rights Reserved.
Thank you to International Pinot Noir Celebration. Vive SALUD!
Thank you to Ron & Marianne Lachini – Lachini Vineyards
Thanks to Lachini Vineyards Team Willamette Valley – Kate & Alex!
Filed under: Burgundy, California Wineries, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Wineries, Willamette Valley, OR., Wine Tasting Tagged: Eric Asimov, International Pinot noir Celebration, IPNC walkabout, Lachini Vineyard, McMinnville, passport to pinot, Pinot, salud auction, willamette valley
