There's too much to say here, since it's not a single 'wine review' posting - but just back from a conference in Portland, and got a chance to get away from the nerd herd and go to Pinot country south of the city, into the Willamette Valley (AVA) and its smaller sub-sections. Most of my tastings were clustered around the Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, and Yamhill sections of the larger region. Stops at Adelsheim, Bergstrom, Beaux Freres (call first), Patricia Green (call first), Domaine Drouhin, Sokol Blosser, and Bergstrom, were all fun. I was a bit dumb-founded by tasting fees in these places -- yes, yes, I know it's Pinot which tends to be more expensive to produce -- some were $15. OK, but if I'm purchasing a decent bottle of Pinot (anything over $40), you really should DROP the tasting fee. Is this Napa? Yes? OK, fine.
Oh, you object to the comparison? Well, then drop the fee if someone bottles some of your juice. Ridiculous.
But it was a grand time - two of the favorites were Beaux Freres (duh!) and Bergstrom, with the latter's estate Pinot Noir really a wonderful wine for the sometimes-critiqued 2007 vintage. I found it berry-licious, earth, deep, yet delicate and elegant at the same time. It didn't hurt that it was my first stop of the day, either, since I was a little tired later on. Lunch was in McMinnville at a little tapas/wine bar called La Rambla. It was "fine," and if that sounds a little flat - well, it is. My mistake for not going to Thistle or Nick's Italian Cafe in this town but I was still feeling a little bloaty from the previous night's meal. Beautiful landscapes, and some really good pinot. Just watch the prices, people, or you'll end up duplicating Napa.
There's too much to say here, since it's not a single 'wine review' posting - but just back from a conference in Portland, and got a chance to get away from the nerd herd and go to Pinot country south of the city, into the Willamette Valley (AVA) and its smaller sub-sections. Most of my tastings were clustered around the Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, and Yamhill sections of the larger region. Stops at Adelsheim, Bergstrom, Beaux Freres (call first), Patricia Green (call first), Domaine Drouhin, Sokol Blosser, and Bergstrom, were all fun. I was a bit dumb-founded by tasting fees in these places -- yes, yes, I know it's Pinot which tends to be more expensive to produce -- some were $15. OK, but if I'm purchasing a decent bottle of Pinot (anything over $40), you really should DROP the tasting fee. Is this Napa? Yes? OK, fine.
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