Tasting Notes Digest
Updated 12/31/2007

"Here's to the corkscrew - a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit,
the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship,
and the gate of pleasant folly."
...French toast

Click Here To Save WinesNorthwest.com (IE Only)
as one of your "Favorites."

OR hold down Ctrl+D on your keyboard. 

Introduction

    Whether you are new to the world of Pacific Northwest wines or a seasoned veteran, you will find our "Tasting Notes" pages a valuable tool for learning more about recently released Oregon, Washington, Idaho and BC wines.  Wine writer, judge and and wine-country traveler Chuck Hill provides the reviews you find on these pages.

     Just click on the varietal of your choice below.  If  you find a wine review that peaks your interest, contact a wine shops or the winery itself.  For contact information, browse our wine shop lists by state, or by wine regions, using the "Wine Shops and Regional Tasting Rooms" links on each wine-region page.

Send This Page To A Friend.

Register for our Newsletter/Update.

Reviews of Pacific Northwest Red Wines

Pinot Noir

Willamette Valley Vineyards
2005 Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyard
$40.00

Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the planting of the WVV Estate Vineyard by Jim Bernau, Founder and President of Willamette Valley Vineyards. This estate Pinot Noir shows all the attributes that have made Oregon a rival for the finest Burgundies and superior to all other Pinot Noir pretender appellations. The wine is almost too complex to describe (those who have studied Oregon Pinot Noir will understand) showing ripe cherry, spicy clove and earth, tobacco and a dozen other descriptors. It is a hallmark for the vintage and deserves a place on your table as you bring out the sides of salmon.
(7/07 CH)

Amity Vineyards
2005 Pinot Noir Schauten Vineyard
$40.00

Crafted in the inimitable style of winemaker Myron Redford, this bright and fruity wine exhibits the elegance and complexity of the best Oregon Pinot Noirs. Look for aromas of strawberry and spice with hints of smoky licorice in the background. The palate offers cherry and berry flavors with notes of Pinot Noir's earthy/meaty character. It's a terrific pairing with salmon. (7/07 CH)

Cathedral Ridge
2005 Pinot Noir, Bangsund Reserve
$42.00

Complexity is the calling card of this rich Pinot Noir. Winemaker Michael Sebastiani crafted this flavorful bottling with aromas of ripe black cherry and herbs. Flavors of cherry, plum and cocoa mingle with hints of toasty oak on the palate. The wine is very well structured for pairing with rich dishes including Copper River salmon! (7/07 CH)

Erath Vineyards
2005 Pinot Noir Prince Hill Vineyard
$40.00

This Pinot Noir makes a statement about ripe fruit and full flavor. Bursting with aromas of cherry, strawberry and vanilla, the elegant scents lead you to succulent fruit flavors with a balanced framework of toasty oak, acidity and moderate tannins. A long lip-smacking finish works well with salmon from the grill. The transition to ownership by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is going well and veteran winemaker Gary Horner continues the legacy of excellence established by Dick Erath. (7/07 CH)

Iris Hill
2005 Pinot Noir Reserve
$25.00

From the winery's Chalice Vineyard near Lorane, Oregon, 18 miles south of Eugene comes this delicious, full-bodied Pinot Noir. The wine gives an initial impression of power with ripe cherry and plum aromas dancing with earthy/meaty notes and toasty oak. Finesse comes into play with the flavorful palate offering cherry, blueberry, chocolate and tobacco in perfect balance. This is a wine to contemplate over a leisurely dinner of delicious salmon. (7/07 CH)

Firesteed
2005 Pinot Noir, Oregon
$15.00

For those inviting a crowd of family or friends over for a salmon barbecue, choose this flavorful bottling and you won't break the budget! Firesteed's Oregon Pinot Noir offers bright cherry and berry flavors with hints of earth and vanilla, and a refreshing Pinot finish at less than half the price of many bottlings.
(7/07 CH)

Anam Cara
2004 Nicholas Estate Pinot Noir
$29.00

Nick and Sheila Nicholas are the proprietors of Anam Cara Cellars (Celtic for "friend of my soul") located on Chehalem Mountain between Sherwood and Newberg. This wine is from the first full-production year of their estate vineyard and has proved that good things are in store for future vintages. On the nose you'll find ripe cherry, plum, spice and chocolate mingling with floral notes and spicy oak. The palate is rich and structured without being overwhelming. It is here that the earthy/meaty qualities of Oregon Pinot show their presence along with a unique mineral quality distinctive to the terroir of Nicholas Estate.
(7/07 CH)

Van Duzer
2004 Estate Pinot Noir
$30.00

The name Van Duzer was chosen for this winery to reflect the gap in the Oregon Coast Range (the Van Duzer Corridor) that allows coastal winds to penetrate and cool the warm Mid-Willamette Valley. Jim Kacacek has been the winemaker here for over a dozen years and knows the estate vineyards well. This wine shows complexity from the variety of Pinot Noir clones involved in its making (Pommard, Dijon and Wadenswil). Aromas of ripe cherry and blackberry are the stars with floral notes, spicy oak and cocoa filling out the cast. The palate is berry and earth with subtle tannins and a lingering finish.  (7/07 CH)

(7/07 CH)

Cabernet Sauvignon

Barnard Griffin
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
$17.00

Leave it to Rob Griffin to come up with an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon for a bargain price.  The wine offers all the Cabernet hallmarks - cassis, cherry, vanilla and spicy oak - along with a rich palate that will complement your finest holiday entrees.  Stop by the tasting room in Kennewick to see (and buy!) some of co-owner Deborah Barnard's fused glass art.  (11/06 CH)

Chateau Ste. Michelle
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
$16.00

This wine is widely distributed and is a real bargain for a classic Columbia Valley Cabernet.  Rich aromas of black fruits are highlighted by blackberry and blueberry, which brings some light floral notes to dance with spicy oak.  The palate is firm and complex for superb food affinity.  The winery suggests a dinner of bleu cheese, duck, beef, veal and dark chocolate (perhaps not all on the same night!). 
(11/06 CH)

Columbia Crest
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Estates
Columbia Valley
$11.00

Winemaker Ray Einberger has the resources to craft this excellent bottling for a price that is astounding!Over a million and a half bottles of this wine are out there looking for a place on every dining table, and why not?  Ripe black cherry and plum aromas dance with hints of chocolate and spicy oak.  The palate is medium bodied and supple with cherry and cocoa flavors leading to an elegant finish of vanilla and light oak.  Buy a case for the holiday pantry.  (11/06 CH)

Desert Wind
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Wahluke Slope
$15.00

From the newly anointed Wahluke Slope AVA, comes Desert Wind's rich and tangy Cabernet, ripe with blackberry and black currant, wrapped in toasty, spicy oak.  The palate is well worth contemplating for its complex flavors of berry, vanilla, coffee, black pepper and cherry.  Smoked turkey would be a great choice of entrée.  (11/06 CH)

Griffins Crossing
2004 Cabernet Blend
$22.00

The romantic story of how Max and Jennifer Jensen met through the Northwest wine industry, courted, married and opened a winery is truly touching. Visit the www.washingtonwine.org and navigate to Griffins Crossing winery for the details. . . and they make great wine too!  This blend is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon offering ripe aromas of cherry, raspberry and vanilla.  The palate is medium bodied with flavors of black cherry, pepper and toasty oak.  (12/06 - CH)

Pavin & Riley
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
$10.00

Being a slightly younger wine has an advantage in this bright yet brooding Cabernet, featuring a 21% portion of Cabernet Franc as the only blending component.  This combination offers aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, herbs and cedar.  The palate is rich with flavor, but not dominated by excessive oak or high alcohol.  Look for tastes of cherry, mocha and leather with a berry and vanilla finish.  Another case for the pantry is in order here.  (11/06 CH)

Powers Winery
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
$13.00

This rich and delicious wine is crafted from fruit grown in the Yakima Valley and the Wahluke Slope.  A 7% portion of Wahluke Slope Syrah was added to the blend which helped to amplify the juicy fruit profile.  Look for aromas of red currant, blackberry and blueberry with toasty oak notes.  The palate is balanced with ripe cherry, vanilla, and oak flavors.  Best served with meats from the grill.  (11/06 CH)

Snoqualmie Vineyards
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rosebud Vineyard
$15.00

You will need to seek this wine out since only 3,000 cases were produced. Rosebud Vineyard (formerly Rosebud Ranch) was planted in 1981 on the Wahluke Slope and has been a source for Snoqualmie Vineyards since 1991. The nose offers red fruits of currant and berry with hints of herb, oak and coffee. The tangy palate is a great foil for meats from the grill or hearty stews and pastas.  (11/06 CH)

Vin du Lac
2003 Red Café Cabernet Sauvignon
$20.00

This is a big and juicy Cab with lots of toasty oak.  Mattawa-area fruit brings classic Cabernet flavors to the party with cassis, cherry and light herbal notes. Pepper steak would be a good place to begin your food pairing adventure.  (11/06 CH)

Woodward Canyon
2003 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
$44.00

Rick Small crafted this generous Cabernet from grapes grown at his home vineyard near Walla Walla, as well as Champoux Vineyard, Tapteil and Klipsun (Red Mountain), and other great Columbia Valley sites.  The result is a rich wine showing lots of new French oak over aromas and flavors of black fruits and cherry.  Experienced tasters will find the structure and complexity underneath, asking you to hold off for a few years for maximum enjoyment.  This wine would make a great gift to a boss or close friend - and stash a bottle or two away for your cellar as well.  (1/07 CH)

---

GO TO...

Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Syrah
Other Reds and Red Blends

GO TO... WHITE Northwest wine reviews

Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Susan R. O'Hara.   All rights reserved.
Last revised: December 31, 2007