Westrey Abbey Ridge Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2006

Westrey is a pretty under the radar Oregon winery. Luckily someone up here in Vancouver discovered them and brought them in to one of the local wine stores. These guys are traditionalists who try to produce a very Burgundian wine, with Oregonian terroir and a non-interference wine-making philosopohy, meaning that everything is natural run and minimally manipulated.

This wine is very Burgundian in its earthy funkiness, but very Oregonian in the purity of its fruit. A silky texture and delightful mouthful develop into an outstandingly smooth finish. If you can find these guys, I highly recommend you give them a try.

Excellent

$40 at Marquis

Talley Arroyo Valley Pinot Noir 2005

Talley is one of those slightly off-beat wineries that likes to buck tradition, both in style and marketing. These guys produce an atypical pinot, but in the end fail to really hit it home.

This has a cherry nose and a very distinct cherry cola palate - think coke bottle candies. Thus, the flavour profile is pretty simple and one-dimensional for a pinot. However, the texture was fantasticly smooth and silky, and I detected a bit of interesting woodiness on the mid-palate. So, while not an overly complex wine, this had a great mouthfeel and texture. Worth a try.

$40 at Marquis

Very Good+

The Prisoner 2006

The famous Napa Zin-based blend finally makes an appearance. I have been meaning to try this wine ever since I first sipped it at Napa's Bounty Hunter wine store over a year ago. And, I am pleased to report that this new vintage is even better than the last.

Peppery blackberry jam and plum filled the nose and palate. This was integrated and balanced, despite a reasonably high ABV. The flavours are intense and excellently structured against each other, with a long finish and smooth tannins.

$50 at BCLDB

Excellent

Penfolds Bin 389 2005

I picked up this wine on a high recommendation that this was Penfold's return to form on 389 - the wine also known as the 'mini-grange'. I am glad I followed up on the suggestion.

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz and as such the nose combines smooth cassis and moderated, but very pretty Eucalyptus. The nose exploded upwards from the rim with one of the most powerful yet elegant bouquets I've nosed in a long while. The palate was long and complex with a full mouthfeel and lots of vegetable, rich black fruit, tar and licorice. I also sensed some earth and minerals here, but in a distinctly Aussie style.

This wine elevated itself above typicity of style while bringing in tons of flavour, terroir, and a truly unique style. One of the best wine's I've tasted, and at an excellent price right now in BC.

Excellent+

$50 at BCLDB

The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz 2005

A highly rated Parker wine from Aussie-land. This generally makes me think twice since I find he and I rarely agree on Australia. This, however, was a quality example of excellent Barossa shiraz that questioned the acuity of my perceptions of Parker's Aussie ratings.

Jammy blackberry and plush dark fruits like fig and plum filled both the nose and the palate. A little air also exposed some excellent chocolatey richness in the mid-palate. This was big but balanced, and with a long-ish finish that left you wanting more. Another classic well made Barossa shiraz.

Excellent

$44 at BCLDB

Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc Te Muna Road Vineyard 2007

As much as New Zealand Sauv Blancs get slack from the average self-styled connoisseur these days, there are still many shining examples of superb Sauv Blanc coming from this oft-forgotten isle. Craggy Range has an excellent reputation, and this is the best NZ Sauv Blanc I've had since Cloudy Bay.

Rich and sumptuous, this grapefruit and orange laced liquid also boasted a big peach and peach pie nose that was simply beautiful. The acidity was quite low, but this just brought out more of the deliciousness of the orchard fruits. A fantastic creation.

Very Good+

$38 at BCLDB

Ledson Merlot 2000

I may be remiss in the lack of updates, but this is not related to a lack of wine consumption. Hopefully today's posts will catch me up slightly with my bad habit.

Ledson is a boutique winery in the Sonoma Valley with a chateaux-like structure posing as their port of call for the wine hungry tourist. Nothing they make can be bought outside the winery. Needless to say, I bought this on a trip down there about a year ago. Luckily, they also produce some stylish and flavour-packed wines.

The 2000 merlot was very elegant and had red berry, cassis and chocolate on the nose and palate. I also felt a small amount of very well integrated oak when sipping this soft and plush merlot. Finishing with medium length, I also noted a touch of residual heat. It is true to the softness of California merlot, but it is not bloated. It may lack somewhat in the acidity department, but Ledson still managed to produce a very likeable merlot.

Excellent

$40 USD at the winery