Favorite Oregon Wines?

theles · 11-25-2003, 07:26 AM

In addition to having world class fishing in Oregon, we are fortunate enough to have world class Pinot Noir wines produced here as well. I recently had a Ponzi reserve '99 Pinot Noir while traveling in LA and my guests and I couldn't stop raving about it. I will have to check the winery out and see if I can get some more.

So what are your favorite Oregon wines?

Dipnet · 11-25-2003, 07:37 AM

Sokol Blosser Chardonnay and Montinore Vineyards Chardonnay are my faves!!

Dipnet :grin:

Firedog · 11-25-2003, 07:48 AM

Just about any of the Pinot Noir's are good. My Favorite would have to be the Rex Hill from 99.

Pyramid · 11-25-2003, 08:10 AM

My wifee really likes that Ponzi Reserve you spoke of. If I remember right it's about 35.00 a bottle. She also likes Rodney Strong Pinot.

wannacatchem · 11-25-2003, 08:15 AM

Thunderbird, Mad Dog 20/20, Strawberry Hill. I'm a real connysewer :smile:

Lured In · 11-25-2003, 08:22 AM

The Duck Pond Pinot's are nice, too. Don't forget there are some great vinyards down in Souther Oregon as well. For some reason the name of the vinyard is escaping me, but they make a "Black Beauty Merlot" that is one of the best I have ever had.

El-Kabong · 11-25-2003, 08:22 AM

Domaine Drouhin Laurene (any one that you can get your hands on). These wines are incredible.

and / or

Abacela Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

letsfish · 11-25-2003, 09:08 AM

As a kid I recall my Dad use to drink a cheapo red. but we kids use to whine "take us fishing ,Please". That's my favorite whine.

lost_sailor · 11-25-2003, 12:36 PM

McKinlay Pinot Noir

I can't afford it, but it's ethereal.

Woody · 11-25-2003, 02:45 PM

Anything with a screwtop, and don't give me any of that old crap I want something fresh.

The Bad Fish · 11-25-2003, 07:37 PM

montinore vineyards, muller-thurgau..

prosperity red. cabernet

jocose · 11-26-2003, 10:52 AM

its too cold
its too rainy
those ducks and beavers
those.....
whoops did you say whine or wine....?

go cougs

GutZ · 11-26-2003, 03:00 PM

"I can't beleive we got beat by the Huskies, again!"

Pete · 11-26-2003, 03:17 PM

OK, I'll be the odd man out. Yes, Oregon has some great Pinot Noirs. But the many are thin imitations of their progenitors. Burgundy wines should be robust, full and rich. Some Oregon Pinots achieve that; Brick House, Panther Creek, Domaine Drouhin, Beau Freres. But most don't get there for me.

jokester · 11-26-2003, 11:43 PM

Not really a wine guy, but Willamette Valley Vineyards isn't too bad. I'm more of a beer guy myself.

-jokester

HOGGEMIN · 11-27-2003, 02:18 AM

I have tried Elk Cove Pinot Noir and Stone Wolf Pinot Nior both very good, also Sockeye Cabernet Sauvignon is a keeper.

Redbull · 11-27-2003, 04:39 AM

You may still be an ODD man Pete, but I tend to agree with you.

Frankly, both the wife and I are more cab/merlot people, but when I do try Oregon products I feel they are a bit proud and the pricing is out of whack.

Many vinters in the Yakima Valley are more to my liking as well as Austrilian reds.

My two bits.

tramp · 11-27-2003, 05:29 PM

partial to Erath's

monoman · 11-27-2003, 05:58 PM

Pete
I'll take a Ken Wright over brickhouse.....but do have brickhouse from '94 to current.

Pete · 11-27-2003, 06:02 PM

I'm not telling anyone about Ken Wright. OK? I don't want to give up my secrets, but the 98 Guadaloupe is unbelievable. The 94 Freedom Hill (I still have 2 bottles plus a magnum) is among the best I've ever tasted. The 2003 Nysa in a barrel tasting last week has potential to be one of the best ever ... but don't tell anyone, OK? Especially don't tell them that tomorrow is one of the two days a year the public can tour the KW facility and barrel taste wines for futures orders. :grin:

pearl · 11-28-2003, 07:28 AM

I'm digressing here a little but let me turn you on to some wines that blew my skirt up.

They come from the Mission Hill Winery in Kellowna British Columbia. Yes Canada!!

Just so happens that this wine region is at the top of the Okanagan Valley and is great for growing grapes. Average yearly temperature is 2 degrees warmer then Napa.

Their basic varietals sell for $8.99 and can be found at Albertsons and Freddies. The reserves are a little harder to find put are well worth the hunt.

By far the best is the Oculus. Here are the tasting notes

2001 Estate Oculus
A delightfully complex wine that offers layers of characteristic bell pepper, blackberry, currant, cedar, smoke and truffle notes. On the palate, the combination of sweet bright fruit fills the mouth and a fine coating of tannin builds towards the medium-long finish. Some youthful grip at this time, but also very ripe and forward, reflective of the warm vintage. This bottle will age gracefully for several years to come. ( Can't believe I just posted that. Sound like some wine geek or somthing. If the guys I fish with read this I'll never here the end of it. )

The winery is one of the best that I have ever visited and that includes Oregon, Napa, Sonoma etc. The Kellowna area is like our central Oregon and spending a week in the region is not hard to do.

Here is a link to their web site.
http://www.missionhillwinery.com/

Enjoy!

cannonball · 11-28-2003, 06:20 PM

Im so glad to see everyone supporting Oregon and Washington wines !!! There is something for everyone out there.

As for Mission Hill, yes I rember the days spent loading tankers with Washington fruit bound for those guys. The Overtime I earned Paid for my first boat!!!!

Too bad they are growing their own grapes nowadays, I could use the extra cash.

monoman · 11-29-2003, 01:57 PM

Pete

I was there last weekend, a couple of reels I won't get to buy because of it. Drink some of that '02 quadaloupe and the '98 may fall down a notch! There is a store here in town that may still have some '98.....it will be slightly more than you paid for the first batch!

freespool · 11-29-2003, 07:46 PM

Check out Gypsy Dancer next memorial day.The '03 should be well on its way by then. R.G.A. founded Archery Summit and Pine Ridge.This is his newest venture.Great things are going to come from this winery,and their sister winery in New Zealand! Seriously if your into wine, put this on your calender.Barrel tasting at G.D.

[ 11-30-2003, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: freespool ]

Chromaflage · 12-01-2003, 04:30 AM

I'll vote for the Elk Cove 1986 Pinot Noir - just try to find it?!?!?

ORS

6wapiti6 · 12-01-2003, 10:58 AM

Patricia Hill Pinot Noir....great stuff!

Old Coot · 12-02-2003, 08:11 PM

My tastes tend to run toward 30-weight reds, heavy Rhones and the like; but at thanksgiving dinner I tried a new Oregon white, Paradis Pinot Gris from the Silverton Hills. I liked it, bought a bottle for Sunday dinner, liked that one, too. I believe that this is their first bottling.

Radke · 12-03-2003, 02:26 PM

Spanada

tommy2915 · 12-03-2003, 09:56 PM

Anything under five bucks that comes in a pint.

Chromaflage · 12-04-2003, 05:25 AM

I don't think MD20/20 is made in Oregon :grin:

theles · 12-08-2003, 11:01 PM

Tried a 00 Lane Benton Pinot Noir recently and it was very good, in my humble opinion, for under $15.00.

Any recommendations on where to find wine bargain?