The Hedonistic Taster
Willamette Valley Wines
by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne + Champagne Master Level
Some timely tasting notes on a few Willamette Valley wines.
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Megan Anne Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14.3%
Robe: Dark garnet robe.
Nose: Heady aromas of spice, peat, juniper.
Bouche: Dark red fruit on the approach – pomegranate, red currant, and dark cherry; medium body, supple tannins, balanced acids, velvety finish.
A blend between fruits sourced from Dundee’s spice-box Jory and Eola-Amity Hills brooding basalt, the wine pours out restrained, well-structured, sure to gain in complexity with cellaring.
More about Megan Anne Cellars here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bells Up Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13 %
Suggested Retail: $22 (Note: Only 96 cases produced.)
Robe: Translucent, raspberry hue.
Nose: Savory, white pepper and red fruit aromas.
Bouche: Bright red fruits: red cherry, apple, currant notes; light body, bright acids, clean finish.
Former french-horn player and attorney turned award-winning micro-boutique winemaker Dave Specter named this wine for Franz Liszt’s “Symphonic Poem No. 3: Les Preludes.”
A versatile, lilting quaff suitable for a sweltering summer evening on the patio, yet savory enough to compliment a fall or winter meal over game or fowl.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bells Up Titan Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13.1 %
Suggested Retail: $40 (Note: Only 131 cases produced).
Robe: Semi-transparent raspberry hue.
Nose: Rustic, red fruit and black pepper aromas.
Bouche: Ripe red apple, currant, Rainier cherry bouche, bright acids, silky tannins, light body.
Named for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan,” this wine speaks softly, but carries a powerful reverb. An artful blend of fruit sourced from Yamhill-Carlton marine sedimentary soils and Chehalem Mountain wind-blow loess, the wine delivers immediate red-fruited satisfaction, but with enough tannic gravitas to grace the cellar for years.
More about Bells Up Winery here.
TASTING NOTES:
Dubbed ‘the playful little sister’ of Tony Rynder’s Tendril Wine Company, Child’s Play wines are total tricksters. From the whimsical labels designed by the wine maker’s daughters Madeline and Audrey, to the accessible price points and unconventional food pairing suggestions, these wines aim to amuse. It’s just wine.
Wine: Child’s Play Pinot Chardonnay Willamette Valley
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Link to 2016 Producer Specs here. Note: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: Lychee, stone fruit, fennel aromas.
Bouche: Grapefruit, golden apple, bosc pear bouche; bright acids, light body.
According to the wine maker, this wine represents the only known still blend of chardonnay and pinot noir in the United States. A French-inspired experiment worth trying for its utter uniqueness.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Child’s Play Rosé of Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Alcohol: 14.1%
Robe: Appealing cherry robe.
Nose: Rainier cherry, quince, baking spice aromas.
Bouche: Ripe red cherry, lingonberry and currant notes, decent acids, light body.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Child’s Play Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Alcohol: 13 %
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Dark florals, plum, exotic spice notes.
Bouche: Plush bramble, spice and hint of anise bouche; light-medium body, breezy, uncomplicated approach, structure and finish. Great value wine.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Child’s Play Zinfandel Columbia Valley
Robe: Deep garnet hue.
Nose: Black plum and cherry, black pepper aromas.
Bouche: The black fruits and savory notes carry through on this deceptively nimble-bodied wine that pairs well with casual, tomato-based meals.
Excellent quality for the price point.
More about Child’s Play Wines here.
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Copyrighted ©2018 L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.
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