Emerson Vineyards, Avelina, Pinot Noir, 2006
We've been reviewing Emerson wines recently -- a Pinot Gris, a Syrah, and now this Pinot Noir (we've also had their Chardonnay too, but that review is coming). We have to say these are great mid-level wines -- by that I mean they're not overly expensive ($18 for the reds and $15 for the whites), yet really a great value. As far as we can tell, you'll have to order direct as I have yet to see it in any store or wine shop. Anyway ...
The nose on this Pinot was -- according to Denise -- "brick ... some sort of stone". She wasn't sure, exactly, but it was earthy in a rock/brick/stone kind of way. It's "hot rock" she later exclaimed. "Like lava?" I asked. "Exactly' was the reply. Additionally, there was vanilla, and spice -- perhaps a subtle cayenne. It also had that sort of dusty smell.
It sort of smells like an Oregon Pinot, and then you taste it. And then you're transported a few thousand miles as it tastes Burgundian. The body is much lighter than most Oregon Pinots -- more like French. Not just light, but also very smooth. The taste was raspberry, strawberry, red cherry -- and a very subtle vanilla. In-between the swallow and the finish was a hint of something in-between peach and nectarine -- a slight citrus to it (acidic). But this was very subtle (and not in a bad way).
Denise really got into the mineral/earth quality: "it's a spelunker's delight", referring to those that climb in caves and holes in the ground. "It's like wet mineral rock -- like dripping stalactites", she said. And after all that, it hit us, there's a whiff of pumice in there (going back to the 'lava' reference). Later on, someone thought it was blackberry in there.
Denise really likes that Burgundian Pinot, so we're rating this one well.
Cost:
Rating:
8.5
Guest Critics: Nicole and Luke and Jeff and Annette
Nicole: Nicole has been waiting all her life to say these words: "I'm a stay-at-home mom." After the birth of her daughter, she left her job in the dust. Nicole's new hobby is getting back into shape.
Luke: Luke is an electrician. He enjoys fishing, hiking, and camping. But Luke's most enjoyable hobby/job just arrived two months ago--his baby daughter.
Annette: Annette is an environmental engineer and is fortunate enough to have her work be her hobby. Annette is a Florida transplant. She is obsessed by figuring out where her she, her husband, and their two-year old son are going to buy a Portland home.
Jeff: Jeff is a physical therapist. His hobbies include scuba diving and wind surfing. One time Jeff tried to eat a baby loaf of cheddar cheese (two pounds) in 15 minutes while everyone chanted to the Pixies, "Jefrey with one F, Jefrey!" Jeff failed miserably and went to bed sick. His punishment for failing: the purchase and viewing of "Dorf Goes Fishing" (of which Jeff is still the proud owner). Fortunately, both Jeff's wife and two-year old son like cheese.
Dinner:
- red leaf lettuce and sliced onions with blue cheese vinaigrette
- creamy carrot soup topped with crostini and parmesan cheese
- beets and orange wedges with cilantro and goat cheese
- twice-baked potato with stovetop beans
- Jeff and Annette's apple crisp with vanilla ice cream
- cheese
Wines:
Posted by Jason on November 9, 2008 8:56:47 AM PST
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Domaine d' Andezon, Cotes du Rhone, 2006
Here's yet another Rhone review. I'd apologize for this rut, but they really are quite good, and cheap!
The nose is earthy: dirt and a subtle moss. There's also cherry, rhubarb, and salmon berry -- sort of fruity with a slight sourness (not in a bad way). Denise got some eucalyptus and nutmeg. The taste is black cherry, and maybe some plum. There's pepper too, but it's very subtle. And Denise found roses and fig. The dark cherry lasts into the finish along with blackberry.
We had this following the Westrey Pinot Noir, and this was noticeably more dry than the Pinot. It has that red-apple dryness thing at the end of the finish. In fact, this one was a bigger crowd pleaser than that Pinot (me, I'm always a sucker for Pinot).
Cost:
Rating:
7.0
Westrey, Reserve, Pinot Noir, 2006
This was a bottle that Jeff gave us as a gift for helping he and his family find an apartment in Portland. They knew we were Pinot fans, so this was a nice gift. And when we had them over recently for dinner, it seemed like a great bottle to try with them.
The nose was spicy: pepper and nutmeg. But it was also cherry; it had that sweet cherry jolly rancher smell (yes, it smelled like it would be a sweet Pinot). And there was herbal and floral elements too -- I got lavender and violet. Nichole smelled fig. For Luke, searching our aroma wheel asked: "they don't have model glue"; apparently it had a chemical smell too.
This wine reminded me of a recent Evesham Wood bottle that was way too sweet. This wine smelled like that one. And when you taste it, it was immediately sweet. No, not sugary-sweet, but that vanilla-sweetness. However, unlike the Evesham Wood, this one only flashed sweet, and then went immediately dry. That vanilla flash was followed by red cherry and raspberry. The finish is cherry.
I think everyone had high expectations for this wine. Jeff said that it was "a little harsher" than he expected. However, I enjoyed the wine. I would say that I'm still remembering that Adelsheim we had recently, and that was definitely better in my opinion (and likely cheaper than this one).
Cost:
Rating:
7.0