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By Chuck Hill

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Wines of the Week
December 6, 2007

Pinot Noir with Beef Burgundy
By Chuck Hill

All hail that bawdy braise of beef, onions and red wine, a hearty stew with complex flavors served over noodles or potatoes. Pinot Noir is a fine accompaniment, matching the intent of the eponymous name of the dish. Below are a baker's dozen plus one of wines for your winter table.

Carabella
2005 Pinot Noir
Chehalem Mountains
$39.00

Winemaker Mike Hallock makes wine only from fruit grown at his Carabella Vineyard in the Northern Willamette Valley. This delicious wine offers depth of fruit in both aroma and flavor. Look for powerful black cherry, earth and cedar with notes of chocolate and tobacco.

Citation
2000 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
$50.00

Howard Rossbach of Firesteed Cellars produces this spectacular Pinot Noir from a blend of best barrels from several Oregon appellations. Aged 16 months in French oak (20% new), then generously cradled in bottle at the winery for a remarkable five years, the wine shows both the bright youthful black cherry/berry side of Pinot Noir AND the mature earthy, tobacco, chocolate nuances in aroma and palate. Well structured and elegant to accompany your finest meal of Beef Burgundy.

Willamette Valley Vineyards
2005 Pinot Noir - Estate Vineyard
$40.00

Willamette Valley Vineyards offers multiple bottlings of Pinot Noir, though none are a better value than their rich and juicy Estate Vineyard wine. A nose of Bing cherry, earth and spice leads to rich cherry/berry flavors with a finish of cinnamon, cocoa and clove. A joy on the palate, WVV Estate Pinot Noir is a superb food wine. Look for the value priced ($18) WVV Whole Cluster Pinot Noir for a unique aperitif before serving the Estate with the main course.

Thistle Wines
2004 Pinot Noir
Dundee Hills
$28.00

Jon and Laura Jennison began their Pinot Noir adventure by moving to Oregon in 1996 and releasing their first wine in 2003. "Formerly a banker, Jon is now winemaker, tractor driver, sales guy, etc. Laura is a CPA who handles the other winery jobs (that Jon doesn't want)." The 2004 Dundee Hills offers a rainbow of aromas: raspberry, cassis, tangy cranberry, orange zest, earth and cherry. Flavors follow the palate and the wine has impeccable structure for enjoyment with food. Available direct from the winery only.

Erath Vineyards
2005 Pinot Noir Estate
Dundee Hills
$31.00

A quintessential Oregon Pinot Noir offering black cherry, spice and earth on the nose and a long flavorful palate featuring juicy cherry, coffee, earth and vanilla. Great structure and firm tannins make this a good candidate for meal pairing or further aging in the cellar.

 

Bethel Heights Vineyard
2005 Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve
$50.00

Our tasters dubbed this a "feminine" wine with great character - subtle and supple. A nose of raspberry, cherry and currant is framed by notes of baking spice and vanilla. The palate is generous with cherry and cassis, earthy notes and a spicy-toasty finish.

Lange Winery
2006 Pinot Noir Reserve
$30.00

Winemakers Don and Jesse Lange craft their reserve Pinot Noir from some of the most renowned vineyard sites in the Willamette Valley. Aromas of ripe cherry, blueberry and toasty oak lead to a juicy palate of Bing cherry, red currant, spicy earth and vanilla. A very tasty accompaniment to beef and rich sauces.

Amity Vineyards
2006 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
$25.00

Count on Myron Redford of Amity Vineyards to provide an elegant and affordable Pinot Noir for the holidays! Aromas of fresh strawberry and cherry with notes of earth and toast, lead to a refreshing palate of ripe berry and juicy cherry. Very food friendly.

Silvan Ridge
2006 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
$20.00

Forward fruit aromas of plum and cherry are framed by notes of toasty oak. The palate features ripe cherry and toasty vanilla with ample acidity for aging or enjoying with rich meats and hearty sauces.

Ponzi Vineyards
2005 Pinot Noir Reserve
Willamette Valley
$60.00


Luisa Ponzi crafts some of Oregon's finest Pinot Noirs, and her annual reserve bottling is highly anticipated by those in the know. The nose blossoms with elegance featuring ripe plum, blueberry, pepper, chocolate and baking spice. The palate offers flavors of raspberry, blueberry, earthy barrel spice and cassis. Complexity and delicate structure demand a not-too-heavy meal to appreciate this superb wine.

Solena
2006 Grande Cuvee Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
$25.00

Before you even pour this wine, you notice the unique closure, a glass Vino Seal that is gently twisted from the bottle after removing the foil. "An elegant alternative to cork and synthetic stoppers." Ripe aromas of strawberry and cherry with hints of nutmeg and spicy oak lead to a balanced palate of red fruits, cocoa and vanilla with a long finish.

Broadley Vineyards
2006 Pinot Noir - Estate Vineyards
$30.00

The Broadley family was once one of Oregon's under-discovered secrets of superbly crafted Pinot Noir. No longer. Their reserve and single vineyard bottlings are highly sought after and sell out almost immediately after coming on the market. You can still enjoy their style with this Estate Pinot Noir featuring aromas of black cherry, earth and chocolate and a rich palate of cherry, plum, tobacco, spice and vanilla. Great with Beef Burgundy!

Cubanisimo
2006 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
$34.00

Mauricio Collada combines the making of his Oregon Pinot Noir with his love for all things Cuban ("except Castro"). His wines somehow are infused with his spirit and suggest pairing with a slow-cooked braise of Cuban pork instead of Beef Burgundy! Look for bright aromas of ripe cherry, baking spice and notes of citrus. The palate shows sweet cherry, cranberry, orange and a spicy finish with hints of vanilla. The wine will be released in January of 2008.

Pinot Black
2005 Pinot Noir
San Antonio Valley, Chile
$15.00

The San Antonio Valley region is particularly influenced by marine climatic conditions, with cooler temperatures, distinguishing it from other Chilean appellations. This ideal location for Pinot Noir produces Pinot Black, offering aromas of black cherry, plum, earth and leather. Flavors of juicy cherry are complemented by spicy oak, herbs and black pepper.

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