Archive for July, 2008
Philippe Pacalet - wonderful natural Burgundy
One of the winemakers present at the IPNC that year is Philippe Pacalet, from Beaune. He is an interesting guy whose Pommard 1er Cru 2006 was exquisitely expressive and elegant, with amazing aromatic purity.He’s the nephew of Marcel Lapierre, and was mentored by Jules Chauvet, among others. So it wi…
Day two of the IPNC
So, it’s day two of the IPNC here in sunny McMinnville, OR. I got caught out last night by the diurnal temperature differential which is of Mendoza proportions: 80 degrees by day, 50 by night. Consequently, I froze as the dinner progressed and I was wearing just shirt sleeves. So today I hit downto…
Ballast Sone Currency Creek Petit Verdot 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Tasting notes: Massive black licorice aromas on nose, with violets and toasty oak Fleshy and full-bodied on the palate Mixed berries and licorice on the finish This is a pretty nice wine and the only varietal-specific Petit Verdot I’ve seen in a while. It is a product of Australia and it’s another …
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004 Wine Review (NW)
Tasting notes:Nose of black currant, cocoa, and pepperDark, lean core of fruit on the palateGreen herbal finish with coffee notesThere’s a lot of really good Chilean Cabernet in the $10-15 range, but that isn’t one of them. It’s just too green and herbal, like it didn’t really ripen. A lot of Chilea…
Artazuri Navarra Garancha Rose 2007 Wine Review (NW)
Tasting notes:Dried roses, strawberry, and cranberry on the noseAcidic, fruity core on the palateFinish of strawberry and herbsIt’s nice to sip on a good Rose wine on a hot Summer afternoon. I discovered that one at a friend’s house during an afternoon cookout. While it’s nothing complex, it’s plus …
Artazuri Navarra Garancha Rose 2007 Wine Review
Tasting notes:Dried roses, strawberry, and cranberry on the noseAcidic, fruity core on the palateFinish of strawberry and herbsIt’s nice to sip on a good Rose wine on a hot Summer afternoon. I discovered that one at a friend’s house during an afternoon cookout. While it’s nothing complex, it’s add…
In Oregon: the IPNC, first day
Just woken up on day two of my Oregon trip, where I’m currently in McMinnville attending the IPNC (International Pinot Noir Celebration). It really is a great event, bringing together Oregon’s Pinot Noir producers with some high calibre worldly guest wineries for a weekend of serious tasting and so…
Wine as an event; (PB) celebrates 35 years
On the occasion of the 35th year with my high school sweet heart, girl friend, lover and mother of my children, my wife arranged a wine tasting with some very special folks. (Billy) the technical genius of that blog and our son flew in from Minneapolis and and our favorite in-laws from Chicago all …
Razor’s Edge Shiraz 2006 wine review by (PB)
AT the $10 price point that is a hard Shiraz to beat. It has a rich bouquet of ripe sweet plum and dark berries with licorice notes.It has a nice texture with sweet chocolate berries in the mouth. With a little breathing a slight and beautiful scent of roses blooms; with the purple black cherry hu…
Frei Bros. Pinot Noir “Russian River” Reserve 2006 wine review by (PB)
A beautiful pomegranate color with fragile strawberry and raspberry bouquet; in the mouth it is slightly tart with bready, slightly sweet fruit and a layer of milk chocolate trying to reveal itself. Finishing with a considerable bacon/smoke finish.With a little air instance, there is a touch of lic…
