2004 SIlvan Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Friends, my apologies, I have been lax in upholding my Oregon Wine Blog responsibilities... This and my recent birthday required opening something special, something big, something red. A bottle of 2004 Cabernet Reseve from Silvan Ridge fit the bill, especially because a new stainless BBQ graced the backyard and awaited two beautiful New York steaks and some asparagaus!

The nose on this bottle was very, very smooth; vanilla, cinnamon, and anise notes dominated the nose and pallete. The first sip did have a slight bite at the very back of the mouth, which was lost completely when paired with the steak. However, the peppery flavor of the steaks brought foward similar notes from the glass. These spices were not present at the first sip-a great example of wine making the meal and the meal making the wine!

Such a pairing is standard with Bordeaux varietals and has been sighted previously on the Oregon Wine Blog however, this Rouge Valley red is something special to me. Syrah's are still surpreme, but this Cabernet is exceptional and I will be looking for the next Cab Reserve from Silvan Ridge- luckily only a ten minute drive south of Veneta on Territorial highway will get me (and you) to the winery!

With only 150 cases produced, this a rare bottle in the age of 1000+ cases/vintage/year. This particular bottle was received as a house warming gift so I don't have a price quote, but I would guess $30 to $40 would be a good guess-not cheap, but this is a very good Cab that is worth a spot in someone's special selection.

Memorial Day Weekend!

Spring is upon us, the economic stimulus checks are in the mail...and, well...it's still rainy in the Willamette Valley. All the more reason to take that check from the government and spend it on wine, and what a better opportunity than Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country! This extravegant weekend is one where nearly 200 wineries in the Willamette Valley open their doors for tasting all weekend. Often there are special tastings, deals, food, and some wineries that aren't typically open for public tasting welcome visitors, May 24 - 26. A group of us went last year and had an excellent lunch at the Dundee Bistro in the middle of the day. My advice -- make a plan and hit the wineries you are really excited about early in the day, before the crowds get out and about. Most of the wineries open at 11 AM. Beware, our law enforcement friends like to make their presence known on this particular weekend especially. As always play safe!

Of particular note, Willamette Valley Vineyards will be hosting a Memorial Day open house, including a chance to become a winemaker for the day! Details can be found here. Sokol Blosser recently announced they would be releasing Meditrina 5, their famed red blend, July 1. With that release will come a brand new label. I, for one, am a huge fan of red blends when it comes to a day-to-day drinkable wine. I've loved Meditrina since a magical night in Calgary, and am looking forward to this release.

Well, friends, enjoy you're wine -- for it's the weekend and we've certainly earned it.

Honeywood Winery

My colleague, Aileen, had two friends/family members in town - Daniel and Sophia. We decided there was no better way to spend the very first thing on a beautiful Saturday morning than to explore a new winery. So at about 10am, I met them at Aileen's apartment and we walked the 10 minutes south and arrived at Honeywood Winery.

Honeywood is known as the oldest winery in Oregon. Stan, the person who greeted us and subsequently gave us our tastings proceeded to tell us a bit about Honeywood. They get their grapes from growers in the Eola Hills just west of Salem. They also just recently planted their own grapes, so it will be a couple more years before their are able to see the end result of that. In the meantime they are able to produce over 50 types of wine.

Stan told us about the second owner of Honeywood, whose name I forget, who is responsible for both tasting rooms and the ability of wine makers to sell wines directly to consumers in tasting rooms through lobbying and bills being passed.

Aileen, Sophia, Daniel, and myself tried quite the array of wines and left with about 9 bottles between the 4 of us. I purchased 3 - a Muller Thurgau, a Cranberry L'Orange, and a Pomegranate. I am sure that I will be consuming at least one of those bottles over the course of the next week, once I get them from Aileen's apartment.

So be on the lookout for those reviews.

Weekend Musings

Happy Saturday to all you oenephiles! Posts have been a little light here recently mostly due to the fact that all the staff have been busy with travel and our paying jobs; we'll try to do a better job. I don't have anything in depth to report, but I have had two excellent bottles of wine recently that are worthy of The Oregon Wine Blog recommendation.

First, the 2004 Griffin Creek Syrah, from Willamette Valley Vineyards. This vintage won the 2007 Oregon State Fair, and I picked up a bottle pre-release and had been hanging on to it for a special moment. I found out my soon to be picked up Oregon Wine Guild shipment includes a bottle, so we cracked open the one I had been saving and certainly was not disappointed. The second bottle that I really enjoyed was a 2006 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir. This bottle has been sitting on the shelf for a while as well, and I've actually been meaning to get out to the winery for a visit. Regardless, some good friends were in town from Utah so we opened this baby up and it was gone in short order. A delicious Pinot!

In other news, I've been drinking a lot more beer recently due to the opening of Block 15 Restaurant and Brewery here in Corvallis about 2 months ago. A number of us here at TOWB have played various roles in the opening process, and the owners are certainly supporters of the blog. Something I'm looking forward to is the pending release of King's Gold -- a golden ale that is slated to undergo secondary fermentation in an old wine barrel from King Estate's pinot. The brewer is expecting the beer to take on some characteristics from the french oak barrel and pinot residue, so expect a review once it is released. Also, if you are looking for something to do in Corvallis tomorrow (4/20/08) check out Block 15's Grand Opening and Earth Day celebration. Food specials, live music, great beer, wine...what more can you ask for?

Enoteca

No, I'm not talking about the tech firm from Office Space, rather Enoteca is the Italian word for "wine cellar" and just so happens to be the namesake of the new wine bar in Corvallis. Located at 136 Washington (and riverfront) in the Renaissance Condo building, Enoteca is a welcome addition to the Corvallis food and wine scene. A group of us checked out the new digs this evening after a great dinner at Block 15.

Upscale, classy, yet relaxed, Enoteca has an abundant selection of wines that cover the spectrum of varietals and appellations and are reasonably priced all the while. Ample selections of both red and white by the bottle from California, Italy, Australia, and of course Oregon tantalize customers and an adequate by the glass selection is available as well. The food menu is *just* large enough to meet OLCC regulations for food service with alcohol; the dessert plate we had was tasty with a selection of truffles, fruit, and candied nuts. It paired nicely with the 2002 Kiona Reserve Estate Cabernet that we enjoyed.

In a unique blending of market segments, Enoteca serves espresso and coffee as well -- catching the morning crowd with caffeine and the evening crowd with alcohol. Details are the key, with custom monogrammed wine glasses, local furniture from Inkwells, and a unique menu concept. Local ownership rounds out the package, in fact 4 of the 6 owners live in the building. Outstanding customer service was the icing on the cake to a fine evening. I'm hesitant to post this because I want Enoteca to be *our little secret*. I'll do my duty, though, and gladly share.

Watch out, Sahalie, there is a new show in town...

PS: Enoteca is hosting a grand opening tomorrow, April 12, rumored to have some pretty nice bottles open for tasting!

2003 14 Hands Merlot

I realize that it has been quite a while since my last post, but I have decent reasoning - among them being I haven't been consuming as much wine that would warrant making any entries in the last couple of months. I am definitely at a point where I will be remedying that situation, in a very responsible way.

Tonight, as I prepared a Cornish hen for dinner, I struggled with what wine to partake with it. I had staring at me, a 2006 Vintage Willamette Valley Riesling and a 2003 Merlot from 14 Hands. I know the cardinal rule of the type of food that should be consumed with what type of wine - but I couldn't bring myself to open the Riesling, so instead, I decided to go with the Merlot. I know, I know, shame on me.

Anyway, I received this bottle of 2003 Merlot from my friend Jon a couple of months ago after I dog-sat for him for about a week. I shelved this bottle of wine and truly forgot I had it until this evening. 14 Hands is a winery that is completely unfamiliar to me, at least I think it is (I don't recall having been there, but if it is in the Tri-Cities area, then it is possible I have visited them, but only once before). The grapes come from the Horse Heaven Hills, the south-central area of Washington in the Columbia River Valley. I have to be honest, I have not been able to find out much more about the winery itself. I have called the 800 number, but it being a Sunday, they were closed, so I will work on finding out more and make an addendum to this post.

I opened the bottle and let it breathe for about 30 minutes before I poured my first glass. Holding the glass, I noticed a very rich, very deep and dark color, which peaked my interest. I took a whiff, and the first thought that came to my mind to describe it was "clean." The nose on this wine - and I have continued to smell it - can only be described by me as clean. Don't get me wrong, its not like a cleaning agent, but just "clean." The nose also is not very strong - you smell it initially while sniffing the wine, but it doesn't remain.

The first sip was not very impressive, as is not completely uncommon with wines, but it definitely gets better. I do find the taste to be very "oak-filled," not in a bad way, but it is clear that it was fermented in oak barrels. You are also able to taste the spices of this Merlot, which comes in the form of an aftertaste - there isn't anything that hits you before you swallow it. I continue to sip as I write this, and I can feel/taste a little bit of a kick that enhances the spices.

What I am finding here is that this Merlot is not over-bearing, nor is it bland, but rather, it has a mellow sense to it. I definitely imagine that this is a wine enjoyed while just relaxing. A not bad wine for under $15.

Enjoy!

2005 Reserve Barbera from Barnard Griffin

After weeks on hiatus, and many bottles of wine later, I am returning to the computer for the purposes of sharing with all, the joys of a delicious treat a friend shared with me this evening. Coming home tonight, a dinner of creamy pasta primavera with fresh from the store veggies was started for us. Three bottles of wine were taken off the shelf from which to choose for the evening's fare: an Erath Dolcetto (an old favorite), a Griffin Creek Tempranillo (extremely enticing), and the subsequently chosen bottle of Barnard Griffin Reserve Barbera.

Upon first tasting this wine, after a thorough decanting, I noticed a distinct raisiny flavor that hit the palette followed by some notes of cinnamon and citrus. After a while on the palette the raisin notes were replaced by a lingering flavor of cinnamon and other spices. This is an easy drinking wine that I will certainly be on the lookout for in the future, and for only $24.99 plus shipping Barnard Griffin will ship a bottle to you.

Barnard Griffin is a family owned and operated winery located on the east side of Washington state in Richland. Those who know me know I enjoy the varietals found only in the dry climates of southern Oregon and eastern Washington. For this reason, Barnard Griffin is one of my favorites, and atop the list of eastern Washington Wineries that I plan to visit in the coming spring and summer months.