January 17, 2015

Wine Tasting, West Linn, OR

2013 Emiliana Natura Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley, Chile) – blend of 94% Chardonnay, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Marsanne grapes
A clear, bright pale yellow in color, with refreshing citrus aromas of grapefruit and lime that intermingle with subtle tropical fruit aromas, especially pineapple, and a touch of herbs. On the palate, it is a balanced, fresh and fruity wine, with velvety texture and a persistent, enjoyable finish. emiliana.cl

2009 “S” de Suduiraut Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux, France) – blend of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon grapes
A plump, rounded style, with friendly brioche, white peach and floral notes offset by a hint of melon rind that keeps the finish balanced. Rated 89 Wine Spectator Magazine

2013 Eyrie Vineyards Estate Pinot Gris (Dundee Hills, Oregon) – Pinot Gris grape
Clearly benefitting from Eyrie’s old vines this Pinot Gris has a rare depth and intensity. Aromas of freshly cut Bosc and Asian pear, golden apple, and Meyer lemon, then flavors of lemon custard, white peach, subtle brown spice, and firm minerality with a long, persistent finish. europawinemerchant.com

2009 Hermann Donnhoff Riesling Qualitätswein (Nahe, Germany) – Riesling grape
Yellow plum, white peach, lemon, high-toned herbal essences, and nut oils scent Donnhoff’s off-dry 2009 Riesling (which, as usual, originates in the Oberhauser Felsenberg), then migrate to a palate that exhibits an alluring counterpoint of creaminess and brightness that parallels its contrast of nut oils and citrus. Subtle suggestions of fruit pit are deftly integrated into a finish of lip-smacking persistence and near-dryness. This – like its 2008 predecessor – is among the most expressive and irresistible off-dry generic Rieslings I can recall at Weingut Donnhoff. It ought to prove deliciously versatile for at least the next ten or a dozen years. Rated 90 The Wine Advocate

2009 Paringa Shiraz (South Australia) – Shiraz/Syrah grape
Supple, polished and appealing for its dark, brooding, licorice-accented boysenberry pie flavors, complete with baked dough notes on the enticing finish. Rated 89 Wine Spectator

The 2009 Shiraz has a very deep garnet-purple color and intensely spicy, warm blackberry nose with a hint of lavender. Full, crisp and ripe, it has a moderate level of chunky tannins and some vanilla jutting out in the finish. The Wine Advocate

2010 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard (Willamette Valley, Oregon) – Pinot Noir grape
…smells of dark cherry, purple plum and holly berry, all shadowed by their penetrating, spirituous counterparts and tinged with mace. With considerable richness and textural polish, this comes off as softer and sweeter at mid-palate than I anticipated from the nose; but bitterness of cherry pit and holly berry serves for a real sense of back-end invigoration, and a combination of saliva-liberating salinity and sheer sappy cling helps guarantee the desire to take the next sip. Rated 91 The Wine Advocate

2007 Domaine du Bouscat Cuvee La Gargone Bordeaux Superieur (Bordeaux, France) – blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Malbec grapes
With loads of spicy, dark berries and espresso bean, the wine is tannic, with some flesh, but there is a dry, oaky sensation in the finish. From low yields of 12 hectoliters per hectare, the wine is aging in 100% new French oak. thewinecellarinsider.com Rated 89-91 The Wine Advocate

2010 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, California) – Cabernet Sauvignon grape
Delivers a mix of ripe currant, dusty oak, licorice and roasted herb notes, maintaining focus and ending with gripping tannins. Drink now through 2024. Rated 88 Wine Spectator