Oregon Pinot Noirs

July 25, 2008 (BEND)
August 1, 2008 (ASHLAND)

The Academy Pinot Noir ’05
Barney Smith from the Academy Vineyard in Southern Oregon has created this lovely wine it is fruit forward with bing cherry on the front palate and a nice cinnamon spice lingering on the finish. The 2005 vintage is Barney’s best effort as he prides himself on making classic wines for a reasonable price. This wine will pair well with all your summer dishes including grilled salmon.
Allyson’s Pairing: Boerenkaas Willamette

Arbor Brook Vineyards Pinot Noir ’05
It has a lovely perfume of damp earth, saddle leather,cherry cola, black raspberry, and blackberry liqueur. This leads to a velvety-textured wine with a solid core of sweet fruit with all components nicely integrated. The finish lasts for 45+ seconds. This fine example of the 2005 vintage may well evolve for 5-7 years but why take a chance? Drink it now. 91 Points Robert Parker
Allyson’s Pairing: Allyson’s Kitchen Chicken Pot Pie

A to Z Pinot Noir ‘06
Clear and vibrant, this wine has a beautiful dark color and aromas of mixed berries, earth, smoke, violets, and Asian spice. In the mouth the wine mirrors the aromatics with a succulent texture and good acidity. As the finish unfolds, the individual characteristics of the wine unify to make a beautiful Pinot Noir to drink over and over again.
Allyson’s Pairing: Brigante on Deux Chats Chedder, Chives & Currants Focaccia Crackers

Lange Reserve Pinot Noir ‘06
Don Lange and Jesse Lange chose among the finest barrels of the vintage to bring you the Reserve Pinot Nor. Long-standing relationships with some of the most renowned vineyard sites in the Willamette Valley guarantee that this wine will shine. The wine starts out with bing cherry and then gives way to crushed raspberry and sage. It is mouth filling with a nice juicy candied apple and dried cherry undercurrent. It finishes off with the perfect blend of red currant and black tea.
Allyson’s Pairing: Pyrenees Peppercorn Vache on Chive crackers

EIEIO Bingo Pinot Noir ‘07
Jay Macdonald and several winemakers collaborated to make delicious Oregon wines including this nice Pinot Noir they affectionately call Bingo. Bingo may be the baby wine of their lot but it is not a slacker wonderful soft fruit hits your palate
as it gives way to plum and cherry and raspberry. A classic and elegant Pinot Noir that would pair well with all our delicious Pacific Northwest foods.
Allyson’s Pairing: Cowboy Salmon Tartare, on Rosemary Crackers, Echo Falls Scottish Smoked Salmon

Torii Mor Pinot Noir ‘06
Jacques Tardy is the renowned winemaker for Torii Mor, his skill in producing an outstanding Pinot Noir becomes clear as you taste this wine. It brims over with boysenberry and dark cherries and hints of graham cracker and caramel oak. Earth layers wrap around the fruit but don’t overwhelm and cocoa and prunes show at the very end. A wonderful balanced and full bodied wine that you can drink now or cellar for further development.
Allyson’s Pairing: Blue d’ Avergne, drizzled with Saba