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Rather read the newsletter online? Click here New
Edition of Parker
names Chris Camarda's Andrew Will Winery as one of four "Outstanding" wineries in WA
The
new "6th" edition of Robert Parker's Wine Buyers Guide
is out and he gives an outstanding rating to four WA wineries- Leonetti, Here is the pick of Chris's current vintage, we think:  Andrew
WillChampoux Vineyard Red Table Wine 2000 $55.99 (last year this was called Champoux Cab and received 93 points in Wine Spectator and 93-95 points from Robert Parker) Here's what Parker said: The magnificent, dark ruby-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard contains 20% Cabernet Franc. An extraordinary nose reminiscent of a coulis of cassis leads to a hugely concentrated, broad, candied, medium to full-bodied personality. It is a satin-textured wine crammed with juicy black fruits whose flavors last for 45 seconds or more. An astonishing value given its competition from California, it is exuberant and boisterous, yet deep and refined. A stunning wine, it is loaded with prodigiously ripened tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2015.
Kitchen Sink Picks of the Week Here's what's on the kitchen sink this week: a jar of sulfite solution to wash equipment with, a bunch of plastic tubing, three or four really crusted up air locks, and a broken piece from the wine press. Yes, Ray is making wine. Ray is my tenant who takes care of my garden and is one heck of a cook. He tasted the Andrew Rich Late Harvest Gewurztraminer that I wrote about last week and got a wild idea- you got it, he's making a dessert wine. There's 3 acres of pinot gris up the road from here that didn't get sold, tested at 29 brix and a good acid level, so there he is, running over to ask Annie Connelly (North Willamette Extension Agent for grapegrowers) how to do it. We shall see.
In amongst the kitchen mess are some excellent bottles of wine- R Stuart's Big Fire Pinot Noir really hits the spot and at $13.99, it's one heck of a value. Rob Stuart was winemaker at Erath from 94 to 2001, and this new effort is classy and delicious. I get an initial hit of red cherry mixed with subtle hints of nutmeg and a dark streak of pepper and tannins. I keep going back to it for all kinds of foods. A winery deserving our support- try a case!
Also by the sink, over there behind Cheddar the cat, is ---A to Z Pinot Noir from Bill and Deb Hatcher, Sam Tannahill, and Cheryl Francis. It's $19.99 and gives a lot of sophisticated layers and interesting nuances for $20. It seems to have the fruit and tannin balance to hold up to 4-6 years of correct cellaring. I'm curious about this wine, I think I'm going to lay some down for a few years... it just might be interesting. Get off the counter Cheddar! Then there is the pick of the litter, a precious bottle of Cristom Louise PN 2000. Yowsa that is one gorgeous wine... deep deep layers of fruit with that keep changing and that elusive chocolate/ espresso hit that blends intriguingly with the cassis-esque tannins. Hints of clove, nutmeg., cedar, pepper, and that silky finish - never ends... My goodness that is good wine! I know that the Cristom Marjorie VIneyard PN 99 was Parker's top Pinot for that vintage, and the 2000 Marjorie is exquisite, but the Louise is drinking SO WELL right now. And could cellar for 10-12 years. The teapot is out now that the weather is colder and I've gotten back into a hot cup of English style morning tea- dark dark brown opaque brew mixed with milk and sugar. We carry a tea called "Yorkshire Gold" that is my fav. The English ex-pats in town all gravitate to it when they come in the store. It's not on the website but let us know if you'd like some. It carries quite a nice morning jolt, really projects you out into the vineyard/winery and after your eyes focus, it gives a peppy start to a long cold day. Works in an office too! Thanks to all of you fascinating customers and winemakers for your support! Jean |
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ON WINE RATINGS Wine ratings- always a controversial topic- should we use them to guide our purchases? How are they decided? Are they fair? What are possible alternatives? This issue of the Avalon Newsletter begins a series on one of the Wine Industry's most argued about issues. Read about Robert Parker and Wine Spectator wine rating methods. Read about our own Cole Danehower's rating system that he is starting to use to rate Northwest wines. And
this week we start a new
page listing wines that received outstanding reviews from
Pierre Rovani in the Parker's Wine Advocate. What do YOU think about wine ratings? Do you depend on them, laugh at them, love to hate them, agree with them.... What do you think of Cole's system- do we have a hit on our hands, or should we go back to the drawing board. EMAIL
US!- let
us know what you  Solena
Zinfandel and Merlot $29.99 highly recommended by Avalon Dark, fully extracted ruby core with vibrant fuchsia colored edges. Distinct aromas of plump red and black summer berries, with hints of coffee, brown earth, and dried leaves. Clean and tart in the mouth, with a pleasing weight that delivers an upright character. The flavors reflect the aromas, with crushed blackberry and ripe prune fruit contained within a sturdy superstructure of coffee bean and fresh wood-bark tannins. The finish is quite long with distinct fruit lingering on the tongue, and tannins pleasingly puckering the cheeks. Read more Cristom
New 2000 Pinot Noirs Still a little bit of Louise, Marjorie, and Reserve left! 
Tazo
Tea from Oregon Our English
News from Avalon- Well the frost has hit the pumpkin, and we're stocking up on bigger red wines and heartier foods at the store. This weekend Ankeny Vineyards is back, pouring their excellent Marechal Foch. If the street repairs ever are finished, we'll be so relieved. Hope you are all well and enjoying life! Jean, Ann, Carl, Teresa, Christina, and Cole
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Harvest
Update
by
Cole Danehower It's the classic consumer conundrum: how do we choose which wines to buy from among the dozens (or hundreds) of pretty labels on the wine shop's shelves? MORE Oregon
Wine Report's Here's the wine rating system Cole has designed, that he will be using to write the reviews we publish from Avalon. I think Cole is doing the most complete and comprehensive reviews of Oregon wine available, and I (Jean) am so happy that we can give you access to his insights. MORE The
reviews and articles we offer you on the website are just a sampling
of the articles in Cole's newsletter, the Oregon
Wine Report. Robert Parker's Rating System "However,
there can never be any substitute for your own palate nor So ends Robert Parker's explanation of his wine rating system. A most interesting conclusion from perhaps the most influential wine critic today We
quote Robert Parker and his associate Pierre Rovani throughout our
website. Their numerical ratings are used by many of us in determining
the wines we purchase. Here is an explanation of Robert Parker's
wine rating system, exherpted from his web site with permission. Wine Spectator's Rating Procedures
A quote from the most influential wine magazine in the world, this statement reflects the magazine's perpetually controversial reviews on the wines of the world. We give you Wine Spectator's ratings for amny of the wines we represent. Here is an exherpt from their website where they explain their methods and philosophy of wine rating. MORE St
Innocent 2000 Pinots-
getting sparce -Brickhouse
organic, -Seven Springs Parker 93-94 last year -Amazing
$19.99 sparkler St
Innocent Pinot Noir St
Innocent Highest
rated NW Wines- New
NW Wine Releases- Featured
Wines Parker
High Rated Wines Oregon's Brigittine Monk's Chocolate Fudge & Truffles make great gifts! 
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