The Hedonistic Taster
Willamette Valley Holiday Edition
by L.M. Archer
“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
The Hedonistic Taster provides an intimate format for sharing industry trade sample tasting notes with readers.
Please enjoy this special holiday edition, showcasing the wines of Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Panther Creek Cellars Pinot Gris
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Link to Producer Specs here. (96% Pinot Gris, 3% Muscat, 1% Chardonnay.)
Robe: Clear straw robe with pale pink tinge.
Nose: Intriguing light floral, lime, wet stones, lychee,
Bouche: Yellow apple, ripe pear, and pink grapefruit give way to peach, quince, and melon on the mid-palate, with hints of baking spice, vanilla and lychee on the rounded, lingering finish. Slightly dry, light body.
A quixotic wine that over-delivers.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Panther Creek Cellars Winemaker’s Cuvée – Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.3%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 25
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Cherry, pomegranate, red currant on the nose.
Bouche: Initial flavors of dark cherry, pomegranate, and strawberry move towards black tea and dark currant on the finish.
Panther Creek Cellars 2015 De Ponte Vineyard Pinot Noir is sourced from Willamette Valley’s Dundee Hills.
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Wine: Panther Creek Cellars De Ponte Vineyard Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14.`4%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 45
Robe: Deep garnet robe.
Nose: A heady concoction of red fruit and spice – allspice, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon.
Bouche: Bramble berry, red raspberry, and currant on the palate. Light body, aquiline acids, silky tannins, solid finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Panther Creek Cellars Yamhill-Carlton Lazy River Vineyard Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14.3%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 45 – OUT OF STOCK
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Earthy, dark red fruit aromas.
Bouche: Red raspberry predominates this fleshy, sensuous wine. Medium body, lengthy finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Panther Creek Cellars Eola-Amity Hills Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14.1%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 65
Robe: Clarion ruby robe.
Nose: Sous bois, cranberry, cherry, red plum aromas.
Bouche: Red fruit notes carry through on the palate. Light body, bright acids, super-silky tannins, stunning finish.
More about Panther Creek Cellars here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Rain Dance Vineyards Estate Riesling – Grand Oak Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12.5%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 22
Robe: Clear green-gold robe.
Nose: Appealing aromas of lychee, pear, mimosa.
Bouche: An amusing mélange of ripe yellow pear, golden apple, lime, with a flirty, fleurs blanches and acacia finish. Dry, light body, crisp acids, lilting finish. Wow.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Rain Dance Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir – Grand Oak Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.1%
Suggested Retail: $ 22
Robe: Pale rose-petal pink robe.
Nose: Intoxicating notes of rose, red raspberry and jasmine.
Bouche: A succulent stone fruit frisson featuring white nectarine, peach, plus a kick of kiwi and Queen Anne cherry. Light-medium body, well-balanced acids, soft finish.
An exceptional, high-quality, high-value wine.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Rain Dance Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir – Chehalem Mountains
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.1%
Suggested Retail: $ 40
Robe: Dark garnet robe.
Nose: Initial hits of underbrush and rotting leaves give way to hints of vanilla, dark cherry and kir, followed by a pinch of tobacco on the back note.
Bouche: A brooding bête noir of bramble, black tea, and black currant. Light body, balanced acids, refined tannins, thought-provoking finish.
Another high quality, high value wine.
More about Rain Dance Vineyard here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Knudsen Vineyards Chardonnay – Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 45
Robe: Pale lemon robe.
Nose: Oak, vanilla, lemon, golden apple aromas.
Bouche: Yellow apple, citron, caramel bouche. Light body, rounded mouthfeel, finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Knudsen Vineyards Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.1%
Suggested Retail: $ 55
Robe: Dark garnet hue.
Nose: Dark cherry, pomegranate, and vanilla aromas.
Bouche: Medium body, artfully balanced acids and tannins. Dark berry, blueberry, red currant and a touch of pomegranate on the bouche, with a slight umami underpinning that carries through on the lengthy finish.
More about Knudsen Vineyards here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Archery Summit Chardonnay – Eola-Amity Hills
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 12.8%
Suggested Retail: $ 45
Robe: Clear golden color.
Nose: A teasing juxtaposition of fruit, spice and stone.
Bouche:, Ripe golden apple and citrus notes, with a tinge of minerality, reminiscent of a menage-à-trois between a sunny Mâcon, fleshier Côte Chalonnaise, and flintier Chablis.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Archery Summit Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.1%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 65
Robe: Deep garnet hue.
Nose: Spice box, warm red fruit and cranberry notes.
Bouche: Spicy, red-fruited, crisp cranberry bouche, brisk acids, supple tannins, elegant finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Archery Summit Red Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 100
Robe: Brilliant garnet robe.
Nose: Red fruit, bramble and baking spice notes.
Bouche: Bramble, red fruit and spice carry through on the bouche. Light body, intense acids, tannins, and lingering finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Archery Summit Arcus Vineyard Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.8%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 125
Robe: Intense garnet robe.
Nose: Muted minerality and spice notes.
Bouche: A plethora of blue and dark fruits on the bouche: blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, a hint of dusty rocks, and unmistakable mineral core. Light/medium body, exceptional acids and tannins, pronounced finish.
‘Arcus’ means ‘bow’ in Latin. This wine hits the center of the target. Brilliant.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Archery Summit – Summit Vineyard Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.8%
Link to Producer Specs – not available.
Suggested Retail: $ 150
Robe: Deep garnet robe.
Nose: Dark plum, basalt, black fruit notes.
Bouche: Another basalt-birthed brooder doomed to stalk the moors of one’s palate – and mind – during a dark winter meal. Healthcliff in a glass. Bring it.
More about Archery Summit here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Brooks Winery Sparkling Riesling – Méthode Traditionelle, Willamette Valley
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 12.5%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 40
Robe: Bright gold hue. Pinpoint perling, generous mousse.
Nose: Distinct Riesling notes of petrol and rubber yield to tantalizing citrus and burnished brioche aromas on the nose.
Bouche: Diabolically dry sparkler, with a lemony lift and savory umami unctuousness that provide a versatile verve – appropriate for any occasion.
The label adds to the sumptuousness of this wine. Affordable luxury with a pop.
❦
More The Hedonistic Taster here.
Posted in Oregon Wine Willamette ValleyTagged Chardonnay Holiday wines Pinot Gris Pinot Noir Sparkling wine