Archive for the ‘Oregon Wine’ Category
Mystic Wines Syrah 2005
Posted by Shea in $20-$30, Good, Oregon Wine, Syrah on April 28th, 2008
Having enjoyed the Mystic Cab Sauv, I figured it was worth $30 to potentially find another great value bottle. Unfortunately, this syrah was highly disappointing given the precedent set by the Cab. The nose was heavy on dark berry liqueur that expanded on the palate into peppery smooth heavily ripened cherry and blueberry flavours. I found this a bit jammy and simple. Nevertheless, it’s not horrible – it’s just not speical.
Mystic Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Posted by Shea in $30-$40, Cabernet Sauvignon, Excellent, Oregon Wine on April 16th, 2008
This wine is a perfect example of an unknown producer from an unlikely region creating a varietal based wine that outshines others at a much higher price point. My thanks goes out to Sean over at Vinifico for writing about this little beauty, which actually hails from the Oregonian side of the Columbia Valley. Only 150 cases were made.
The nose was very opulent with rich cassis and a hint of vegetables. Up front this was all spice, smoke and bacon – and it was big, very big. The palate expanded into mintiness, and a bit of woodyness and an underlying current of cassis and other dark fruits. This is all about secondary and tertiary flavours, though, and is completely distinct from a New World fruit bomb, even though it is big and bold. The finish is very long and very fantastic. Overall the wine has great balance, depth and outstanding variety of flavours and scents. I HIGHLY recommend picking this up if you have the chance. It’s a steal at this price point. Sitting at the very upper end of:
Excellent
$36 at Kitsilano Wine Cellars
Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2004
Posted by Shea in $40-$60, Oregon Wine, Pinot Noir, Very Good on April 4th, 2008
Having unfortunately opened a bottle of a corked 2005 Pommard village wine, I took the ugly duck back to the liquor store and exchanged it for this Oregon pinot noir. Dundee Hills pinot I find tends to be more smoky and savory than other Oregon pinots, which often make them a more unique choice. I recently tasted a Deponte Cellars 2004 Pinot, also from Dundee Hills, and it was a killer bit of juice. Let’s see what this wine has in store.
