The Hedonistic Taster
Willamette Valley Wines for the Holidays
by L.M. Archer | FWS, Bourgogne + Champagne Master Level
A few Willamette Valley wines to help us all get through this surreal 2020 holiday season!
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Gran Moraine Chardonnay – Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $ 45
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: Fragrant waxy white flower, lemon zest and slightly toasty aromas.
Palate: Burled lemon and butterscotch attack carries through mid palate; lemon and lime rind finish. A light bodied wine with a subtle mineral core.
More about Gran Moraine here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bluebird Hill Cellars Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley (Monroe, OR.)
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $ 22
Robe: Translucent cerise robe.
Nose: Savory red berry and cherry nose.
Palate: Textured, tart crabapple and Rainier cherry attack, savory sage notes mid-palate, dusty marsh rose finish. Light body, solid acid-tannin balance. Wonderful.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bluebird Hill Cellars Pinot Gris – Willamette Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 13.4%
Suggested Retail: $ 22
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: Fetching aromas of lime and lemon flower, yellow pear, and fresh ginger.
Palate: A tantalizing combination of slightly sweet and tart components make this one of the most memorable expression of Oregon Pinot Gris I’ve yet tasted.
Light-to-medium body, rounded acids (suggesting possible lees contact and/or neutral barrel aging.) Meyer lemon and ripe, golden apple on the attack, tasty yellow pear and stone fruit on the mid palate, and a subdued, citron compote finish. Delish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bluebird Hill Cellars Chardonnay – Willamette Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.3%
Suggested Retail: $ 32
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: Potent aromas of nutmeg and golden apple on the nose, with an intriguing green herbal back note.
Palate: Succulent stone fruit (nectarine) and Meyer lemon attack moves to white nectarine and nutmeg mid-palate, before tapering to lingering finish. A medium bodied, solidly constructed wine with rounded, yet refreshing, acids.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bluebird Hill Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.4%
Suggested Retail: $ 49
Robe: Clear ruby robe.
Nose: Earthy, red fruit nose.
Palate: A light-bodied wine with bright acids and discrete tannins. Cherry and sous bois on the attack pick up a bit of pepper mid-palate, moving to a zippy, savory, satisfying finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bluebird Hill Cellars Barrel Select Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.3%
Suggested Retail: $ 49
Robe: Clear ruby robe.
Nose: Attractive brambled, red fruit aromas.
Palate: Sumptuous sous bois and red raspberry attack melds into a soft cherry finish. Excellent balance, elegant construction.
More about Bluebird Hill Cellars here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Winter’s Hill Estate Reserve Pinot Blanc – Dundee Hills, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.3%
Suggested Retail: $ 29
Robe: Pale gold-green robe.
Nose: Tangy yellow fruit, lemon balm, white flower nose.
Palate: Simply the most distinctive Oregon Pinot Blanc I’ve tasted to date.
Light body, crisp attack, creamy finish. Vivid Meyer lemon, golden apple attack transforms to lemon curd and golden apple mid-palate, with a creamy, lemon-lime zest finish. More, please.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Winter’s Hill Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12.7%
Suggested Retail: $ 44
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Lovely ‘eau de Dundee’ aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and red fruit.
Palate: Supple red fruit (raspberry, pomegranate, cherry), and sous bois on the attack carries through mid-palate, easing into a silky finish. A beautiful, Burgundy-style wine.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Winter’s Hill Estate Watershed Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills, OR.
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.7%
Suggested Retail: $ 44
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Heady aromas of clove, rose, sous bois, and raspberry.
Palate: Beguiling red raspberry, anise, and black licorice attack, with earthy notes mid-palate, and a delicate finish. Ethereal.
More about Winter’s Hill Estate here.
More articles about Winter’s Hill Estate by L.M. Archer here.
More The Hedonistic Taster here.
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