December 14 2006

Cover Story (Wine Diva's Love Affair with Oregon Part II)
A Bounty from Piedmont (Marc de Grazia-Canadian Tour)
New Reviews (recently tasted)
Taste Bites  (How Cheesy, Chic Tofu?)
Wine Diva-isms (Sake and Other Intrigues)

Wine Diva's Love Affair with Oregon


I've had a secret crush for years.
My first Oregon Pinot Noir was from Sokol-Blosser. It was a bright and shining Pinot moment cemented firmly in WD's mind. And it was startling. Mostly because I had my manicured toes planted firmly in Burgundy Land-giving little thought to Pinot Noir from elsewhere.

Pray, learn from my mistake. Do not make the mistake of assuming only one region has the market cornered on a specific varietal.  This holds true for any grape, but we are talking Pinot Noir today and I have tasted good ones from nearly ever major wine making region in the world.
They're all different, they have their own style and they all have different terroir.
What is different about Oregon as a new world winemaking region?
They have truly focused on their strengths.
There is a camaraderie between wineries and as a whole they show their strength in numbers.
Wine Diva also witnessed a solid commitment to sustainability among the wineries in this region through LIVE-Low Input Viticulture & Enology Inc., an agriculture program based on international standards.

On a recent trip I had very little time to venture far. My primary focus was Dundee Hills a magical, pristine region of rolling hills, winding roads and vines merely 30 minutes south of Portland.
As usual, meeting the people that make the wine (who are far nicer than those who write about it) I revel in their passion and conviction.
Willamette and Portland (like the Okanagan and Vancouver) are very supportive of other local producers and like British Columbia they are making great strides in culinary agritourism.

If you decide to travel to the region I highly recommend you visit the very comprehensive  www.oregonwine.org .

Enough chat-let's taste some wine!

Ponzi

whites
Ponzi wines are not currently available in British Columbia but I'm sure with the right representation we'll see these wines soon! This family owned and run winery is open for public tastings but they also have a Bistro in Dundee with fabulous food and a wine tasting bar.
Ponzi Vineyards-14665 SW Winery Lane Beaverton Oregon
The Dundee Bistro-Hwy 99W and 7th Street Dundee Oregon



Ponzi Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2005- Oregon, like BC does a wonderful job with Pinot Gris allowing more body and ripeness than Italy's Pinot Grigio's. The Ponzi has wafts of sweet smoke, fresh apricots, honeysuckle, minerals and grapefruit rind on the nose. In the mouth it crisp and zesty fattening out in the mid-palate with creamy orchard fruit before tapering to a long spiced finish.
$17.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006


Ponzi Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2005- Rich fruit aromas of tropical fruits, melon and apple followed by enticing candied citrus peel and caramel. On the tongue-ripe orchard fruit, citrus, minerals and buttery baking spices.
$20.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006

Ponzi Chardonnay Reserve, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2004-After spending 12 months in oak barrels and then six more in bottles the Reserve is rich and creamy! Fresh white tree fruit, sweet spices and caramel coated macadamia nuts aromas. It has a warm, lush texture with a wonderful balance between creamy-oakiness and clean, fresh minerals and citrus.
$30.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006



Reds
Ponzi "Tavola" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2005-Fresh! Gorgeous brilliant ruby coloured with sour cherry, cedar, leather and earthy forest floor aromas. Clean on the palate with sweet spices, coffee bean and tobacco on the finish. A lovely and easy drinking "table wine" version of Pinot Noir.
$23.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006




Ponzi Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2004-Ponzi calls this their "signature Pinot" and a lovely mouth-watering signature it is. More intense cherry aromas than the Tavola,  enriched with with dark earth, spice and floral nuances. In the mouth its velvety smooth and layered with bright berries, sweet tobacco and pepper.
$35.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006

Ponzi Pinot Noir Reserve, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2004-In the Reserve Pinot Noir the flavours and aromas become magnified. A lush mixed berry compote with forest floor and mushroom-y aromas finished with a sprinkle of 5-spice. Velvety berry cream in the mouth with savory herbs, cinnamon and a long, warm and clean finish. Elegant!
$45.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006


Argyle

If you are having lunch at Ponzi's Dundee Bistro you can skip across Hwy 99W and taste some wines at Argyle. They have a sparkling wine flight or you can try some of their other daily options.
Wine Diva tip-if there is a bus tour tasting ahead of you, head back over to the Bistro, have a cup of coffee (or another glass of wine if you aren't the pilot) and wait for the crowd to diminish.
A bit more recognizable to Canadian's than Ponzi.
Some Argyle wines can be found in Liberty Wine Stores in Vancouver's lower mainland
Argyle Winery-691 Hwy 99W Dundee Oregon

bubbles
Argyle Brut Willamette Valley Oregon, 2001-This blend of  Chardonnay and Pinot Noir has a persistent bead of bubbles with citrus rind, peach juice, crisp apple and honeysuckle aromas. Mouth-filling bubbles bursting with zippy citrus and white fruit flavours followed up by some classic toasted nut and biscuit on the finish.
$25.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006


Argyle Knudsen Vineyard Brut Willamette Valley Oregon, 1998- Pinot Noir takes the upper hand in the Knudsen Vineyard Brut with Chardonnay rounding it out. Upfront, yeasty, biscuit-y aromas with clean mineral aromas followed by red fruit, apples and white flowers. In the mouth it is smooth and creamy with bright citrus, toasted spice and vanilla on the finish.
$30.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006

whites
Argyle Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2005-Very old world in its crisp aromatic style the Argyle Chard has pretty lemon cream on the nose with pear and mineral aromas following. Rounder on the palate with lemon-lime and apple with a nice clean finish.
$20.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006

Argyle Riesling, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2005-Bright orchard aromas, peach, pear and apple with hints of melon, sweet spiced preserves and minerals. Light, just a hint off-dry with honeycomb and crisp lemon-lime flavours without the sharp acidity.
$25.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006

Reds
Argyle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Oregon, 2005-Pale ruby in colour with quite earthy aromas of forest undergrowth, herbs and tobacco brightened up with cherry and red berry aromas. Smooth on the tongue with oak spice, cedar and berry flavours. A fabulous picnic-style  Pinot!
$22.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006


Torii Mor

We drove up seemingly endless winding gravel roads through fog so soupy you could scoop it.
Wine Diva was certain we would drive off into oblivion at each new curve. But when we broke through it, into Torii Mor's driveway, a quaint house and tasting room appeared looking warm and inviting. We parked the car and stepped out onto the red soil of this small Red Hills winery.

Torii Mor Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2005-
is available at BCLDB  stores for $38.99 (+640839)

Torii Mor-18235  NE Fairview Drive, Dundee Oregon
www.toriimorwinery.com

whites
Torii Mor Pinot Blanc, Oregon 2005-Aromas of sweet orchard fruit preserves, chalky minerals, tropical hints and citrus. Quite lush but clean on the palate with sweet spices, grass and more crisp white orchard fruit flavours.
$20.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006

Torii Mor Columbia Valley Chardonnay, Oregon 2004-Contradiction in my label review? Somewhat yes, the fruit for this wine was sourced from Columbia Valley in Washington but made in Torii Mor's winery in Oregon.
Aromas of delicate tropical fruit with banana cream tossed with nuts followed by mineral, citrus rind and sweet spices. The Torii Mor Chard had a lovely round buttery mouth-feel but still has an abundance of zippy-crisp orchard fruit and vanilla on the tongue making it a very nice food option-creamy pastas, chicken-avocado salads, nuts and medium cheeses.
$18.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006

pink
Torii Mor Fleur de Rose, Willamette Valley Rosé, Oregon, 2005- Pretty pink label and even prettier liquid hue! Candied berry aromas clean crisp citrus, fresh herbs and sweet spices but dry clean and invigorating on the palate. A lovely refreshing patio sipper and food wine.
$12.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006

reds
Torii Mor Hawks View Vineyard Pinot Noir, Oregon 2004- Like mulled wine! Sweet red berries in vanilla syrup sprinkled with baking spices and warm oak aromas. In the mouth the single vineyard Hawks View is warmly spiced and spiked with savoury herbs, tobacco and berry liqueur with a long warm anise finish.
$60.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006

Torii Mor Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Oregon 2004-The single vineyard Temperance Hill shows ripe black cherries, smoke, forest undergrowth, chalk and whiffs of sweet smoked Hungarian paprika. Those same smoked spice aromas reappear on the palate smooth and rich with dusty-earthy flavours and bright acidity to balance the tannins.
$60.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 17 2006



Sokol-Blosser

One of the highlights of my trip was a visit to the winery of my Oregon Pinot epiphany and meeting its matriarch (aka grand poohbah) Susan Sokol-Blosser.
It also happened to be Wine Diva's birthday and Susan graced me with a copy of her   recently released "At Home in the Vineyard" a wonderful story of her life-in wine.
As we walked around the winery grounds on that foggy November morning Susan spoke about Sokol-Blosser's commitment to sustainability from its vineyard practices and natural cork closures to the environmentally safe ink used on their labels.
She pointed out the unobtrusive solar panels that were being erected and the bluebird nesting boxes scattered about the grounds making homes for the Western Bluebird. 
Sokol-Blosser like many neighboring wineries is a true family run business.
*Read more about Susan Sokol Blosser from Wine Diva in the New Year.
5000 Sokol-Blosser Lane Dundee Oregon
www.sokolblosser.com

Sokol-Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, Oregon 2004 is available in Specialty BCLDB stores $39.99 (+608786)

Sokol-Blosser "Meditrina" III- A fun blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir is available in BC at Private Wine Stores

Sokol-Blosser "Evolution" 10th Edition-A luscious blend of 9 white grape varieties and is available in BCLDB stores $23.99 (+616938)

*Watch for upcoming Wine Diva reviews on Sokol-Blosser wines in the New Year.

reds
Sokol-Blosser Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir, Oregon 2004-Sokol-Blosser winemaker Russ Rosner would probably hate to hear me say that his wines have a certain old-world quality to them (meaning Burgundy) because Oregon as a region really need not be compared to any other region in the world. It's Oregon. And the wines reflect the Oregon fruit and terroir. But what I mean is the wines are elegant and layered rather than jammy fruit bombs. The Estate is rich cherry and earthy aromas of forest floor and cedar with tobacco and sweet spices. In the mouth its fresh, clean red fruit and pepper with light toasty spiced oak flavours and bright acidity. In many ways, the Sokol-Blosser Pinots I tasted on my visit are still babies and time is definitely on their side.
$59.62 BC Private Wine Stores
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006

Sokol-Blosser Old Vineyard Block Pinot Noir, Oregon 2004-The Watershed is a single vineyard wine made from vines that are 32 years old and its concentration shows it in its depths. Earthy and truffled brightened by red berries, dark flowers, dried cherries and  fresh mountain stream mineral aromas. Spiced and velvety on the tongue with layers of smoked berry, leather and sweet tobacco and just a hint of peppery spice.
$60.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006

Sokol-Blosser Goosepen Block Pinot Noir, Oregon 2004-Bolder, lush and masculine in style the Goosepen shows in youthful vines with its intense dark fruit, rich earth and sweet spice aromas. On the palate its juicy and fresh with mouthwatering spice and distinctive oak tannins.
$50.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 18 2006

Domaine Serene

Domaine Serene wines are unforgettable, sexy and thankfully (after a brief hiccup) seem to be trickling back in the British Columbia market.
I've been drinking the Domaine Serene wines consistantly over the past three years and have shared a few glasses with their head winemaker Tony Rynders. If I thought the wines were sexy you should have seen my jaw drop when I saw their hilltop digs! Romantic, pristine and palatial.
To visit the winery I suggest you make a reservation.
Domaine Serene-6555 NE Hilltop Lane Dayton Oregon
www.domainserene.com

Domaine Serene Yamhill Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2004-Is available at private wine stores in BC for approx. $65.00

reds
Domaine Serene Winery Hill Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2003-Sweet red cherries, cranberries, fennel and dark floral aromas. Rich, creamy mouth texture with loads of rich dark earth, juicy mixed berries, cocoa, cedar and tobacco finishing with sweet baking spice flavours. Intense and elegant!
$75.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 19 2006



Rockblock "Seven Hills" Syrah, Oregon, 2003- Lush and smooth with rich  fruit. Smoked black plums, sweet and inky cola-spice aromas, meat and earth. On the palate, smooth blackberry crème with spice smoke and tobacco and a long firm finish.
$40.00 USD
Wine Diva tasted-November 19 2006







Domaine Drouhin

This highly recognizable Burgundian House (Maison Joseph Drouhin, Beaune France) brought its name, history and its talent to Oregon in 1987. Robert Drouhin and his daughter Veronique purchased 225 acres of land in the Willamette Valley with a strong feeling about the region's promise. Veronique divides her time between her own family France and Oregon where she is still the head winemaker for Domaine Drouhin.
Winery is open by appointment only.

Domaine Drouhin 6750 Breyman Orchard Rd. Dundee Oregon
www.domaindrouhin.com

white
Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay "Arthur", Oregon, 2005- Old world in style, the Arthur has sweet white orchard fruit, pears and marzipan, smoke and flint with lovely floral hints of orange blossom. Clean and fresh with  a lush buttery-oaky texture balanced with zippy citrus crispness.
$40.05 BC (+231944) UPC #00012086766510
Wine Diva tasted-November 19 2006

reds
Domaine Drouhin Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2004-
This taste was a preview of what's to come for the flagship Pinot from Drouhin. Red cherries and mixed berries, leather, mushrooms, smoke leather and forest floor. Lean and youthful on the palate but still elegant, delicate and feminine with berries, cranberries, tobacco and cedar box on the finish. I look forward to a revisit in the New Year!
Coming January 2007 to BC Private wine stores
$ 60.00 BC (+427429) 
Wine Diva tasted-November 19 2006

Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir Laurène, Oregon, 2003- Top notes of bright red fruit anchored by deeper dark fruit aromas. Smoke, barnyard scents of  leather, earth and game, elegantly spiced on the palate with good acidity and a tight finish. This Pinot is a cellar keeper!
$76.41 BC approx (+974899) at Private wine stores
Wine Diva tasted-November 19 2006

*Read more about Wine Diva's trip to Oregon in the New Year.
Go To Next Section

December 14 2006

Cover Story (Wine Diva's Love Affair with Oregon Part II)
A Bounty from Piedmont (Marc de Grazia-Canadian Tour)
New Reviews (recently tasted)
Taste Bites  (How Cheesy, Chic Tofu?)
Wine Diva-isms (Sake and Other Intrigues)