December 5, 2009, at 10:33 pm

Oregon Wine – 17 Cases of Ambrosia- Amalie Robert Viognier

Dena Drews and Ernie Pink brought their 2008 Amalie Robert Viognier by the store Friday.  It is exquisite. They made a half barrel – about 16 cases, and it’s pretty clear that Robert would rather they keep it all for their cellar.  With good reason.
There’s so much mediocre Viognier out there – blousey, high alcohol, [...]

November 8, 2009, at 11:13 am

Oregon Wine – The Bat Left Me Spellbound – Dominio IV

One of the best “trade” tastings each year happened last week. It’s all Oregon wineries and some of the best – both well known (Beaux Freres, Penner Ash), and some lesser known up-and-comers. One of the standouts for me was Dominio IV.
Dominio IV, a small winery down the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, has [...]

October 1, 2009, at 1:44 pm

Shea Vineyard – Oregon Wine Harvest 2009

Shea Vineyard is beautiful right now, and the pickers harvested Chrdonnay grapes last Friday for the vineyard’s own winery, Shea Wine Cellars.
below, unloading just-picked Chardonnay grapes 9-25-09

A few blocks of Pinot noir have been harvested, with much of the harvest starting this week.
below, looking west at Shea Vineyard 9-25-09

Dick Shea says that the vineyard had [...]