In Defense of Oregon Grape

After mentioning how much I have liked the wines of Burgundy one might think I have simply dismissed my home and state I love. Not so, there are many Oregon wines I am also ecstatic about. I think in being new to Burgundian wine it intrigues me and attracts my attention with an old word palate. Oregon soil simply is not the same. That does not however mean you have to search abroad for quality wine.

J. Christopher 2005 Sandra Adele Pinot Noir - This is a wonderful representation of an Oregon Pinot Noir from a Vintner I had not had before. When I took my first initial nasal inhale it warmed me to scents of old tractor axel, farmyard, and wonderful ripe cherries and berries drug through leaves. I loved the interesting layered nose! It has good structure and alcohol from start through finish, with a wonderful taste of ripe fruit/berries and perhaps even a bit of smokeyness or summer blooms? This is a wine drinking very well right now and if you want a local wine sure to impress I am hard pressed to think of an '05 that you could do better with. Buy now and drink now before its gone. $$ 30-36/bottle

Erath 2006 Estate Select Pinot Noir - I tried this wine up at Erath next to their more standard store sold Pinot Noir as well as two premier more expensive Select Erath Pinot Noirs. This one easily out did its other Erath Pinot Noirs. This wine is what I would call a standard bearer of many Oregon Pinot Noir. It has the qualities I think of... Black cherries on the nose, nice color but with a deep hue, bold ripe full cherries, raspberries, and garden herbs in the taste, with solid structure, and nice moderate finish. If you had a person you wanted to describe Oregon Pinot Noir to this would be a good way to go. No unusual scent or tastes here, just a quality wine ready for the glass. After my tasting I also found out that this wine was rated 99th/100 of the top 2006 wines of the world. Now I dont know which rating system so take such for what its worth - personally I buy from what I like not from a number (unless its cost). $$ 30-35/bottle.