QVinum Pinot Tasting

On November 8, 2009, the Qvinum wine Club held a tasting of Pinot Noirs, all but 1 over $30. A $17 wine was slipped in as a test.

Wines in the tasting were:
Bethel Heights – Eola Amity Hills – Willamette Oregon 2006 $30
Domaine Drouhin – Willamette Valley, Oregon, $45 2006
Cardwell Hill Cellars – Willamette Valley, Oregon $17 2007
Expression 44 – Willamette Valley, Oregon $35 2006
Artesa - Carneros, California $35 2006
Fess Parker – Santa Rita Hills, California $35 2006
Selby – Russian River, California $30 2006
Argyle Nuthouse Reserve, Willamette Oregon $55 2005
Pessagno – Santa Lucia Highlands, California $40 2007

The top 3 wines were the Selby and Fess Parker, tied for 1st place. The Cardwell Hill Cellars came next at either 2nd or 3rd place (depending how you look at it) Cardwell Hill Cellars was the $17 bottle.

My take on the top three were: Fess Parker, Cardwell Hill, and Domaine Drouhin. My tasting notes for these three;

Fess Parker – Santa Rita Hills, California 2006. $35
Dark rich color, with a rich plush nose of smoke, cherry, red fruit and Chinese five spice powder, that follows through on the palate. A sweet lingering fruit finish.

Cardwell Hill Cellars – Willamette Valley, Oregon 2007. $17. Light garnet color with a sweet/sour cherry nose with gamy luncheon meat that follows on the palate. Nice acidity to back up the fruit, but not overly fruity or tannic. An easy drinking Pinot.

Domaine Drouhin – Willamette Valley, Oregon 2006. $45. Medium garnet color, nose a little closed but features nice cherry, cola and earth. Palate has a nice bit of minerality and smooth. Very reminiscent of a Burgundy from Marsannay or Givry. Very
good food Pinot.

The others fell into place in this order;
After the Cardwell Hill Cellars were: Agyle, Domaine Drouhin, Artesa, Pessagno. The Bethel Heights and Expression 44 rounded out the bottom, with zero votes each, however, don’t take the results of the two bottom wines too seriously

The two bottom wines, Bethel Heights and Expression 44, were very disappointing, however, after open about an hour, and after the conclusion of voting, opened up. Even though these wines ranked last with no votes, they should in no way, be over looked. If they showed during voting, as they did later, these could have very well been the top wines of the night. These two wines should be sought out, but make sure you let them breathe. Several months back, I had the Expression 44 side by side with a 2002 Louis Latour Volnay, and it held it’s own in that company. It was disappointing to see the Expression 44 bringing up the rear, but once it opens up, it's 0 to 60.

My notes for the remaining wines are in order, top to bottom, but I have not assigned any points or scores to them.

Selby – Russian River, California $30 2006
Medium light color. Nice sweet cherry and strawberry, spice, Chinese 5 spice, a touch hot, and could use a little acidity to back up the lovely sweet fruit.

Argyle Nuthouse Reserve, Willamette Oregon $55 2005
Medium color. Smoky sweet cherry, light earthy smokiness, spicy, fairly well balanced. Nice.

Artesa - Carneros, California $35 2006
Light garnet, smoky cherry. A little oaky, with plush fruit. Hints at a warmer climate, RR? Barnyard. Light on the palate, but just lacking.

Pessagno – Santa Lucia Highlands, California $40 2007
Medium light color, cola, tobacco, earthy mushroom, cherry, blackberry, hot with alcohol and a bit acidic.

Expression 44 – Willamette Valley, Oregon $35 2006
Dark color, nose closed with notes of earth and stewed fruit, seems a bit candied. Sweet fruit on the palate carries through to the short finish. I really loved this wine when it really opened up!

Bethel Heights – Eola Amity Hills – Willamette Oregon 2006 $30
Light garnet, closed nose, following on the palette with sweet fruit, a hint of minerality, a little hot. Could be elegant and sexy.