Cambria Riesling Cellarmaster Reserve
'98--Fairly sweet, with no nose to
speak of. A bit spritzy, with candied peach flavors.
B-
Duckpond Chardonnay Columbia Valley
'97--Plenty of wood in the nose. The
palate is also dominated by oak flavors, though there are some fruity
flavors of pear and citrus in the background. Spicy, oaky finish.
B
Duckpond Merlot Fries Desert Wind Vineyard
Columbia Valley '96--Big aromas of
spicy oak and raw meat are the introduction to lush, sweet plum and
black berry flavors. The fruit continues on the medium finish. Not
very tannic. From young vines, which seem to be showing good
potential.
B+
Duckpond Pinot Gris Estate Grown Willamette
Valley '96--Smoky aromas with some nice
citrus fruit underneath. Grapefruit and peach flavors. The finish is
fairly long, but neutral, as the fruit and smoke flavors fade before
the alcohol and acid.
B
Duckpond Pinot Noir Unfiltered Willamette
Valley '97--A lightish red color (even
for Pinot Noir), with a cherry nose. Smoothly integrated flavors of
cherries and spice dominate in the mouth. Light tannins make me think
this is a wine to enjoy now.
B
King Estate Chardonnay '95--A distinctly toasty, woody nose. Oak continues on the
palate, but with plenty of pear and lemongrass flavor to justify it.
Plenty of length on the generous finish, but some good acid too.
B+
King Estate Pinot Gris '97--A very round, expressive nose of spicy peach. Peaches
and pear flavors come out in the mouth, and the full flavors continue
on the finish. A very nice example of this grape.
B+
King Estate Pinot Noir '96--Lean and mean, with modest cherry flavors, and quite a
bit of tannin for the amount of fruit.
B-
Loraine Valley Chardonnay
'96--An unoaked Chardonnay, aged on the
lees, according to the rep. Nice nose of apple and pear. Distinctly
spicy note to the round pear and banana flavors, and good length on
the finish.
B+
Loraine Valley Pinot Noir
'95--Very light red. Woody nose, and
just a little fruit on the palate. Finish has a bitter edge.
C+
Sylvan Ridge Pinot Gris '96--Toasty lemon and peach aromas. Odd, candied lemon peel
flavor, with some peaches. Slightly beer-y aftertaste. Not a
compelling rendition of this variety.
C+
Paul Thomas Merlot Washington
'97--Smooth, with modest oak and plum
flavors, but in the end, undistinguished. An ok restaurant wine for
drinking now.
B-
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Copyright 1999 Marcel Lachenmann.
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