Pinot Noir Tasting, Wed. Feb. 22

The specific wines for the tasting are:

Soter Vineyards Planet Oregon Chardonnay 2015– “Planet Oregon wines source sustainably grown Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that is responsibly produced and crafted to enjoy early and often. These wines embody the conscious choice we all have to endorse and support truly sustainable practices.  $1 from the proceeds of every bottle sold in Oregon is pledged to the Oregon Environmental Council.  This wine consists of 97% Chardonnay, 3% aromatic white blend. Fermented 50% in used French oak and 50% steel barrels. 20% malolactic fermentation, with lees stirring through early spring. Bottled after 7 months.Round and juicy, with just a hint of oak.” $17.99 (reg. $23)

Soter Vineyards Planet Oregon Pinot Noir 2015– “This wine has 20% whole cluster with 7 months in French oak barrels, 5% of which were new. Dark and spicy, sleek in texture, with clove and white pepper overtones to the focused blackberry and plum fruit, lingering against hints of tobacco and walnut.” $17.99 (reg. $23)

Soter Vineyards North Valley Pinot Noir 2014– 90 points Wine Spectator: “This wine was sourced from practicing organic vineyards made up fo 31% Yamhill-Carlton, 27% Ribbon Ridge, 13% Dundee Hills, 5% Eola-Amity Hills, 24% Willamette Valley fruit aged in 5% new French oak barrels. 2014 will be compared to the enormously successful 2012 vintage. The season was long with even, warm weather and allowed winegrowers to elect when to pick – which is a rare privilege in the Willamette Valley. This 2014 Pinot Noir is immediately engaging with a nose of plums, spice, black cherries, and earth. The wine is ripe and rich, but with good underlying acidity. Brambly, darkly fruited and very showy as a young wine, it has medium body and finishes strong, not to excess, with balanced tannins.” $29.99 (reg. $36)

Soter Vineyards Origin Series Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2014– 92 points Wine Advocate: “This bottling represents vineyard sources exclusively from within the Dundee Hills AVA. Made in very limited quantities, these “Origins” series wines are reflections of the personality-driven, regional characteristics from which they hail. Widely recognized, the “Red Hills of Dundee” have been planted since the late 1960’s. Centrally located in the Northern Willamette Valley, this area’s Jory series soils are red-hued, iron rich clay loam of volcanic origins. Traditional vinification in small, open top fermenters with 20% whole cluster fruit Aged in French oak 33% new, 67% neutral barrels.Heady aromas of black cherry, slate and scorched earth are joined by subtle floral tones. Commanding at once on the palate, additional flavors of dark chocolate and brambly underbrush develop. This is a powerful expression of Dundee Hills fruit, rich and velvety on the palate with good grip and acid backbone. Sappy and earthy at once, there is real concentration and density here.” $45.99 (reg. $52)

Omero Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2012– “The 2012 Willamette Valley Chardonnay underwent partial malolactic fermentation and sees ten months in French oak. It has a simple pear and grapefruit bouquet that needs a little more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with fine acidity, but it does not quite have the complexity of the “Extended Elevage” version, although the waxy finish with lemon curd and brioche is appealing. Drink 2015-2020.” $19.99 (reg. $26)

Omero Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014– “Sourced from 13 vineyards from all AVAs in the Willamette Valley with 13 different clones, none Dijon, this is a true representation of Willamette Pinot. The aging takes place in a combination of concrete tank and small and medium sized oak barrels with some new and some neutral. Winemaker Chad Stock, who also makes wines under his own Minimus label, focuses on sourcing great fruit and meticulous cellar work allowing him to avoid additives and highly manipulative procedures. To highlight this approach, the Omero labels have an ingredient list. If this became industry standard people would be shocked at the many additives found in the majority of wines. In addition to pushing for a change in how consumers view the wine they buy the Omero Pinot is finely crafted and a superb value. On the nose bright red and black cherry, cranberry, fresh herbs, forest, bark, pepper and spice with super pure, juicy red fruits on the entry to the palate, vibrant acidity and a nice balance of sweet raspberry and cherry fruit with brisk cranberry, earthy, savory herb and spice notes and supple tannin.” $19.99 (reg. $26)

Omero Cellars Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2014– 90 points Wine Spectator: “Our Ribbon Ridge AVA bottling is produced with certified organically farmed fruit from the Omero Vineyard, planted in 2009. Comprised of equal parts Pommard and Wädenswil clones from the best two vineyard blocks planted at the crest of the vineyard. The vines here run east-west opposed to the more typical north-south. The results is a cooler canopy and a fruity zone less exposed to the sun, which helps to preserve higher levels of acidity, and more lifted floral aromatics. No wholecluster was used and the final wine was aged for 10 months in 40% new Fresh oak and 60% neutral French oak barriques. Firm, with powdery tannins around a glowing core of cherry and blackberry flavors, picking up leafy, spicy nuances as the finish lingers. Best from 2018 through 2022. 500 cases made.” $23.99 (reg. $38)

Omero Cellars Johan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014– “These two clones of Pinot Noir are very rare in Oregon. The Mariafeld is an incredible spice driven expression with large berries and high acidity, in the cellar when tasted visitors often mistake it for Gamay Noir. A perfumed expression with intense floral notes and tremendous lift. Blended together the final wine covers almost the entire range of what Pinot Noir can express through the Oregon lense.” $46.99 (reg. $54)

Patricia Green Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir 2015– 91 points Vinous Media: “We work with 8 Pinot Noir vineyards, all of which we make at least one vineyard designated bottling from, and this bottling simply takes the barrels that are more precocious or don’t fit in with the profile of the vineyard designated bottling. 75% of this comes from Ribbon Ridge and Chehalem Mountains AVAs, 15% comes from the Dundee Hills AV and the rest, while designated Willamette Valley AVA is all from Freedom Hill Vineyard. There are seriously great bones here and this wine will stand up to many, many much higher priced bottlings.” “Deep red. Expansive red berry and floral pastille scents and flavors show impressive energy and pick up a hint of smokiness as the wine opens up. Smooth and fleshy but lively as well; a late jolt of white pepper adds spicy bite. Generous but vibrant in character, finishing very long and sweet, with gentle tannins lending shape and subtle grip. This wine delivers exceptional bang for the buck.” $22.99 (reg. $30)

Patricia Green Cellars Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir 2014– 92 points Vinous Media: “Brilliant ruby-red. Vibrant mineral- and spice-accented aromas of red berries, incense and fresh flowers, with a hint of smokiness building with air. Shows excellent focus and power in the mouth, offering juicy raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and a subtle touch of spicecake on the back half. Closes sweet and very long, with supple tannins and strong floral persistence.” $33.99 (reg. $38)

Patricia Green Cellars Freedom Hill Pinot Noir 2013– 92 Points Vinous Media: “Deep red. Sexy red and dark berry aromas, with suggestions of five-spice powder and smoky minerals emerging as the wine opens in the glass. Pliant raspberry and floral pastille flavors are given lift and focus by tangy acidity and a suggestion of white pepper. The spicy quality repeats on the clinging finish, which features gentle tannins and resonating red berry character.” $28.99 (reg. $32)

Patricia Green Cellars Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014– 92 Points Vinous Media: “Brilliant red. Sexy, spice-laced red berry and cherry scents are complemented by suggestions of cola, potpourri and smoky minerals. Silky, seamless and lively, offering appealingly sweet raspberry and cherry flavors that tighten up slowly and become spicier with air. Delivers a serious punch but comes off lithe, finishing with powerful, fruity thrust, strong tenacity and smooth tannins that add structure.” $28.99 (reg. $35)