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Panther Creek, located in McMinnville Oregon, is passionate about its wine and that passion leads them to source fruit from some of that state’s top vineyard spots who are operated by folks who have a similar passion. Its Pinot Noir has garnered a large number of accolades over the years and has been some of my personal favorite since first tasting them a couple of years ago.

2007 Freedom Hills Pinot Noir – W.E.P. Rating: 100%

Technical Data:

Appellation: Willamette Valley

Alcohol: 14.10%

Composition: Pinot Noir: 100% Freedom Hill Vineyard

$40.00 bottle

Nose: Sharpie pen, burnt tire, cranberries, sour cherry, wet cedar and currant.

Taste: Black sour cherries and cranberries hit the front palate with authority. Next up, on the mid-palalte is the flavors of some leather, tobacco, cedar, dark chocolate and the sharpie pen. Good finish that hangs out for awhile and finishes with all kinds of stellar, tart red fruits.

2007 Verde Vineyards Pinot Noir – W.E.P. Rating: 75%

Technical Data:

Appellation: Willamette Valley

Alcohol: 12.90%

Composition: Pinot Noir: 40% Momtazi Vineyard, 30% Temperance Hill Vineyard, and 30% Elton Vineyard

$35.00 bottle

Nose: Dried cherries, lavender, shoe polish, cranberries, cinnamon and a touch of cedar.

Taste: Good red fruit on the attack of cherry and cranberries and some nice hints of vanilla and Christmas spices as well. Good mid palate tranisition with both acidity and tannins holding together, however, the finish is actually a bit short for me. Overall, this isn’t a bad pinot for $35 but there are others I’d seek out in its price range.

On the web: www.panthercreekcellars.com

Argyle winery in Oregon’s Williamette Valley is one of that state’s definitive wineries and has been leading the charge for Oregon grape varieties since 1987 – it has since established itself amongst the wine-drinking world as a staple producer of  pinot noir.

This winery owns and farms three vineyards: Knudsen Vineyard, Stroller and Lonestar vineyards – the grapes in its 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir are blended from all three.

Technical Data:
Varietals: Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Lone Star, Stoller, Kndsen
AVA: Willamette Valley
Alcohol: 14.5%
Brix: 23-24.5
Residual Sugar: None
Bottled: February 2008
Cases produced: 6450
Release date: May 2008
Winemaker: Rollin Soles

Nose: Dirty cranberry sauce – obnoxious amounts of dirt going on in this glass – I also pick up some nice bacon fat action as well. Huge amounts of chalk-dust as well. So the nose smells like someone sprinkled chalkdust and dirt into a bowl of dried cranberries.

Taste: Take an old chalk-laden cloth, mash-up some cranberries in it and then toss in a shot of liquid smoke. Good finish that lasts quite nicely with hints of some shoelace, big-league chew and cranberry. This is a very well-balanced Pinot that shows quite well for its price-point and will clearly appeal to those who prefer a slightly lighter pinot than others out there. Very food friendly – I’d have no problems pairing it with anything from seared sirloin tips to cedar plank salmon.

W.E.P. Rating: 90%

Winery website: http://argylewinery.com

I have to be honest in that I got a bit bummed out the way other varietals got slammed in the movie sideways and how the film elevated Pinot Noir to a very noble status. I’m not suggesting that it’s not a noble grape, however, am just saying that I think that film in particular took it a bit too far.

Most folks I know adore the Bordeaux red varietals far more than from Burgundy which is a bit of a bummer for me as I feel there are a lot of folks missing the boat when it comes to expanding their palate with some of the wonderful fruit of Burgundy.

I recently picked up this Yamhill Pinot at a local store and got a heckuva deal at only $15 – it normally sells for $22-$26. As of this review, the winery is sold out and has since moved this wine into a “Library status” which means it’ll cost more from them but there should still be a lot left out at various retailers.

Color: Dark ruby red.

Nose: Dried cranberries, cedar box, cloves, wet clay, toasted pine nuts, grilled zucchini, anise, hint of brussel sprout.

Taste: Has a truck-load of dried, slightly-toasted cranberries which have been sitting around in an old cedar box. Black cherry Cragmont pop (if you know this brand, then you too are old like me), clove, bacon fat and white pepper- almost a similar finish to some zins I’ve had – a bit jammy, which I’m digging.

Heats up a bit on the mid-palate, but smooth, long black-cherries on the finish.

Overall Summary:
This wine represents a decent effort on the part of Yamhill – I can’t say it’s worth the normal asking price to me as there are other wines I’d rather have in that price-range. That said, I can really see this wine appealing greatly to Pinot-lovers and/or fans of the film sideways. It’s so much better of a Pinot than your typical “grocery store label” – you know, the cheap Mondavi’s, Duck Pond and even some of the lower-end Erath’s.

If you can find this wine under $20, then I’d say you should really give it a go and check it out.

This is my take on it, however, you really owe it to yourself to try this wine and ultimately embrace your own palate.

Foods to go with this:
Spiral ham with an apricot/raisin and clove glaze
Spinach Salad which is blended with thin slices of granny smith apple, red onion with a honey-brown-mustard vinaigrette .
Cedar plank Salmon
Pork Chop mixed with cooked apples glazed in brandy with Rosemary