We are most pleased by the reviews of our current pinot noir releases in the
current issue of Burghound. Burghound has established itself as the most
influential publication for serious pinot noir collectors. What pleases us are
not only the good scores, which match or exceed all of the most famous Oregon
estates, but by his wonderful tasting notes, which we all feel perfectly
describes our wines.
Burghound by Allen Meadows – Issue 20: 4th Quarter 2005
2003 Pinot Noir – Laurel Vineyard: (from Willamette Valley fruit bottled at 14.4% alcohol). A discreet but not invisible touch of oak toast frames pretty and deeply pitched red and black, spicy pinot fruit that complements the round, supple and forward flavors that possess good complexity and a bit more toast on the nicely persistent, slightly warm finish underpinned by ripe, moderately firm tannins. This is sufficiently forward and easy that it could be enjoyed now or held for 1 to 3 years. 87/2007+
2003 Pinot Noir – Hawks View Vineyard: (from Willamette Valley fruit bottled at 14.5% alcohol). Subtle wood spice highlights the very ripe and moderately earthy dark pinot fruit nose that displays distinct menthol and chocolate notes which merge into the rich and full-bodied flavors that display noticeable finishing warmth and a tart acid snap, which detracts somewhat from the overall sense of harmony and balance. There is however good complexity and plenty of richness and the underlying structure suggests that there is 4 to 6 years of potential improvement in the offing. 87/2009+
2003 Pinot Noir – La Colina Vineyard: (from Willamette Valley fruit bottled at 14.6% alcohol). A beautifully expressive and impressively nuanced and complex nose of very ripe red and black pinot, raspberry and sweet cherry fruit aromas that also displays a hint of alcohol. The robust, rich and full-bodied flavors are well structured, firm and persistent all wrapped in a dusty, mouth coating and slightly warm finish. This is an impressively scaled effort yet despite the size and warmth, it doesn’t lack for elegance. I would be inclined to give this a few years first as the tannins need to round out. 89/2010+
2002 Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley: (bottled at 14.4% alcohol). Very gentle oak frames a nose of menthol, thyme and subtle notes of underbrush and tea which lead to nicely rich and supple middle weight flavors that possess good depth and fine length though there is obvious finishing warmth. For a so-called entry-level wine, this is really quite nice as it’s easy to like yet undeniably serious as well. This should drink well for another 5 years or so. 87/2007+
2002 Pinot Noir – La Colina Vineyard: (from Willamette Valley fruit bottled at 14.4% alcohol). This is a stylishly oaked effort, which is to say that the oak is evident but not really in your face with ripe red and dark pinot fruit that complements nicely complex, silky and attractively textured middle weight flavors that culminate in a sappy and slightly warm finish. The structure is almost completely buried but should permit 2 to 4 years of upside development. 88/2007+
2002 Pinot Noir – Rainbow Ridge Vineyard: (from Willamette Valley fruit bottled at 14% alcohol). This too is extremely stylish and pretty with slightly more pronounced oak that takes on a subtle cigarette ash character that I find mildly intrusive on the otherwise attractively spicy red pinot fruit nose. The flavors are supple, silky and easy to like with a buried tannic spine that should permit 2 to perhaps 4 years of upside. Purists will find more oak than they care for here but for those who are less sensitive, this is a quality effort with plenty to admire. 88/2007+
2002 Pinot Noir – Yamhill Springs Vineyard: (bottled at 15.4%). An extremely ripe nose of mocha, black raspberry and cherry introduces rich, full and mouth coating flavors that arrive at a concentrated but borderline hot finish that definitely detracts from the overall harmony. There is good material and I like the density but it’s difficult for any wine to carry this level of alcohol gracefully, not withstanding some opinions to the contrary. 85/2008+
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