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By Chuck Hill
Wines of the Week
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Wines of the Week
More Pinot Noirs Paired with Our cups runneth over with Copper River Sockeye salmon! Feasting on fillets of this flavorful fish has become an obsession over the last few weeks, and I want to share with you some Pinot Noirs that make the experience a Northwest classic.
Lange Winery
This wine is a blend of components from Lange's three
vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs. Big and rich on the nose and palate, it
will stand up to salmon from the grill. Look for aromas of ripe plum,
mocha and baking spice. The palate is bursting with flavors of black
cherry, boysenberry and currant with a corral of chocolate and barrel
spice holding
Jesse, Wendy and Don Lange
Winemaker Joe Dobbes is a veteran of 20 vintages in
Oregon and has worked with several different producers during his
tenure. Dobbes Family Estate puts his own name on the label where Joe
can craft wines to his liking (and that of his many fans!). His Grand
Assemblage Cuvee offers bright strawberry and spice aromas leading to a
rich palate featuring cassis and chocolate, earth and toasty oak.
Another favorite with grilled salmon as the wine echoes the smoky
Duck Pond Cellars
Grapes for this wine came predominantly from vineyards in the South Salem area well known for quality Pinot Noir. Aromas of cherry, strawberry and light toasty oak lead the taster to a refreshing, fruity palate that pairs very well with salmon prepared in any style. Good value for a very tasty Pinot!
Cubanisimo
The name of this West Salem-area winery was inspired by
the deeply rooted Cuban heritage of its founder, neurosurgeon Mauricio
Collada, Jr. Born in
Rex Hill Ahh, a longing for the Oregon Pinot Noirs of another era is satisfied with this remarkable bottling. This wine is rich and meaty, showing the earthy and pungent side of Pinot Noir. There are layers of berry and smoke, spice and tobacco, coffee and chocolate. Your salmon dinner might get cold while you ponder the depth and complexity that is woven into this wine. Pull the cork when dinner is served, but pour when just a bite or two remain.
Elk Cove Vineyards A blend of wines from several of Elk Cove's vineyard sites, this bottling is approachable and seductive for its palate-friendly character. One of Oregon's most venerable and respected producers, Elk Cove often crafts the finest wines of any Oregon vintage. Look for aromas of cherry cola, cocoa and spice. Flavors are ripe cherry and plum with a finish of vanilla and light notes of spicy oak. This is a good value introduction to one of the Northwest's pioneer wineries.
A to Z Wineworks
This Oregon wine company is a combination of several
concepts with top management and creativity from principals Bill and Deb
Hatcher, and superb
Bloom Pinot Noir Leave it to the geniuses at Precept Brands to track down a refreshing and delicious Pinot Noir from a country known only for white wine! This universally appealing wine can not only accompany your salmon dinner, but you will be tempted to serve it with any light meal, then take it out to the hot tub to enjoy a Bloom under the stars. The motto of the wine is listed as "Laugh, Live, Love," let me add: "Drink!" # # #
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Dobbes Family Estate Winery 
Havana, Mauricio developed an interest in wine
during his medical residency in the U.S. His location home location in
the Eola Hills near Salem further fostered his interest in producing
wine, specifically the Pinot Noir that does so well in the area. The
2005 Cubanisimo offers aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry and spice, with
hints of tobacco and coffee. The palate is superbly structured with
flavors of cassis, raspberry, cocoa and smoky tealeaf. The acid balance
and alcohol content (moderate) are perfect for further aging of this
very salmon-friendly wine.
winemaking by Sam Tannahill and Cheryl Francis.
A to Z purchased Rex Hill (see review above) in late 2006, creating one
of Oregon's largest wine concerns. The combination of talents at work
here lead to consistently superb wines. This Pinot Noir offers the
classic aromatic combination of berries, smoky toast, spice and complex
notes of violet and mineral. The palate is rich with fruit - cherry,
plum and berry, with structure for food affinity and aging potential.
A good value for your salmon barbecue party.