Recent articles

2022 Soter Pinot Noir Mineral Springs Ranch, USA, Oregon Willamette, Yamhill-Carlton, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$72.00USD

Garnet with black swirls in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight earthiness and baking spices.  Medium to full bodied.  Good acidity.  Some depth and complexity.  On the palate, flavors of black cherries with a slight cough drop note.  Long finish.  A bit bigger in style but by no  means over the top.  Nice on its own, this will work well with many foods.  This would be a nice choice with Rotisserie Chicken.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2023 Illahe Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, USA, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$26.00USD

This was tasted blind along with seven other Willamette Pinots.  That format did this wine no favors.  Pale ruby with slight purple hues, clear and bright.  The nose is light with strawberries, raspberries and slight floral notes (Rose?).  Light bodied.  Light tannins.  Much more on the feminine side of Pinot Noir.  On the palate, flavors of rhubarb, strawberries and slight strawberries.  A bit bitter on the finish.  This will be better with food.  Salade niçoise would be a good pairing.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  
 

2011 Argyle Extended Tirage Brut, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$67.00USD

This is a 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Oregon.  This is left to age on its lees for 10 or so years.  It was disgorged in June, 2021.  Golden in color with a nice mousse, clear and bright.  The nose has caramel, slight ginger, slight cherries, and a touch of lemons.  Good acidity.  On the palate, the lemon is more obvious with a slight minerality and a yeasty/strawberry note.  Good depth.  Long finish.  A delightful sparkling wine that will work with most foods.  It should go nicely with baked Salmon.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  

2022 Herman Story Bolt Cutter, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

This is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Petite Verdot, and 13% Syrah,  The bottle lists 15.7% abv.  The wine is purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, black raspberries, slight plum, baking spice, and interesting pine note.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a "jammy" wine.  Lush flavors of black raspberries, cassis, and black cherries with some char.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with big flavors.  This would be a nice choice with spicy Indian cuisine.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

Pages