Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir

I was at work the other night, and was visiting with a nice woman from Oregon. She is quite a wine connoisseur, living in Oregon for many years. Her husband also used to work for Ponzi winery. We were discussing my love of Oregon Pinots when she offered a recommendation on one of her favorites. Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir, according to her, this is a very heavy, full, voluptuous pinot. Full of beautiful fruit flavors. I have yet to get my hands on a bottle, but I will soon. Try it and see if it is as good as she says. I'll definitely post an opinion when I get an opportunity to try it myself.

Benton - Lane Pinot Noir 2005

Ahhhhh, I do love a great Oregon Pinot Noir. Had some friends visiting from Oregon over the Holidays, and we went out to dinner, and of course. Had to share a bottle of my favorite. Oregon Pinot noir. My friend recommended this bottle, she had heard nice things. Being she is from Oregon, I decided to we should try it. A 2005 Benton Lane pinot Noir was our choice for the evening.

I found the aromas to be quite earthy and chocolaty. On the palate a bit spicy (kind of unusual for a traditional pinot Noir). Nice flavors of dark cherry and maybe a hint of coffee or mocha. A nice fuller bodied Pinot and quite complex. It had a quick and clean finish.

I do always tend to love Oregon Pinots. Oregon has a much better growing climate for this ultra sensitive grape. Having a much cooler and moist climate than California, Oregon tends to produce beautiful Pinots. This vineyard is in the Southern Willamette valley of Oregon.

First production of Benton Lane pinot was released in 1992. At first Benton Lane only produced pinot Noir, but in 2003 they produced small amounts of pinot Gris and pinot Blanc, but served exclusively in their tasting room, sort of an experiment. Then in 2004, the headed off with full production of the Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.I found this wine to be a fabulous change from the traditional Pinot and recommend it to anyone.

Erath Oregon Pinot Noir

My previous review was on an Oregon Pinot, and I said I love a good Oregon Pinot Noir. Well this is my favorite to date. This is a fabulous all around great light red wine. Good with beef, fish, pasta, you name it, it's complimentary. 2005 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir - . Erath makes a beautiful pinot, very fruity on the nose with aromas of raspberry and blueberry. This is a sweeter Pinot Noir very fruity on the palate with strong flavors of strawberries and a touch of vanilla.This is a beautiful house red, this Pinot is very versatile with many foods.

Hope you find this wine as enjoyable as I do. Price is around $20, GREAT price for the treat inside. One thing I do not like about this particular wine.... twist top, which is a matter of opinion. I love the ritual of opening wines, smelling wines and of course the best part, tasting the wine. I also love wine corks. I find them unique to each different vineyard.

I also love to make wine cork boards from my collection of cool corks.Erath Winery is one of the oldest Oregon Pinot growers, Dick Erath is a Pinot pioneer. He has been winning awards for his Pinots since 1972. Before I was even born (barley). His goal, to make food friendly, all around affordable Pinot Noir. He succeeded. Dick Erath has one of the most interesting stories of all times.

I wasn't kidding when I said I love a good Oregon Pinot Noir. This is my all time favorite pinot from Oregon, for now. Oregon is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, as far as pinot growing climate goes.