Friday, November 26, 2004
Hello from Portland Oregon. I ventured off for the weekend to explore the Portland wine and coffee house scene. What I'm finding is a wine lovers paradise, as wines by the glass establishments are everywhere, the selection of boutique producers is astounding and the prices rather reasonable. What's more, Oregon's proximity to so much fresh, organic and natural foods makes Portland possibly one of the best foodie and wine lover towns around. Add to it what appears to be more coffee shops with Internet access than anywhere I've been in months and this is heavenly for me.
Yesterday I cancelled reservations at Portland's oldest seafood restaurant, Jakes, and opted to try my luck at a small bistro and bar called Mothers. Did I luck out. The place was sold out, but they had an open seat or two at the bar. Given I'm never opposed to sit at the bar, it was the perfect match for me, for once I saw there list of wines, with every wine available by the glass I knew I had chosen the right place to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
2003 Isenhower Cellars Snapdragon Viognier-Roussane
This is one of the most round and ripe white Rhone blends from Washington State I've had to date. It is full of ripe oranges, pears and peach flavor. The finish is smooth with just a hint of lemony tartness. What made it so appealing was the freshness of the wine. Lots of great fruit, no acidity. It was perfect by itself and surprisingly with the Mushroom soup.
2002 Maysara Pinot Gris Willamette Valley
From coastal vineyards this a very opulent and almost decadently lush Pinot Gris. It has the mouthfeel of a pinot blanc as the very over ripened citrus and melon flavors engulf your palate. There is a slight spritz to the finish but not in a negative way. Ripe honeydew and peach fruit along with tangerine and nectarine flavors round out this ultra impressive white wine. This wine and the Isenhower are the kind of wines that would stand up so well to Sushi dishes or the cooking of friends Evan Cruz and David Abella of Roy's or even Jean Marie Josselin at his Hawaii establishment, "A Pacific Cafe."
2002 Maysara Reserve Pinot Noir
This the kind of Pinot Noir that is perfect with turkey and gravy, but even better with stuffing. Pinot Noir spice right from the start on the nose, with truly an Oregon flavor palate. This is not Burgundy nor is it Santa Barbara. It is a very soft wine that is ready now to please your palate with soft strawberry and raspberry flavor notes. I hope to find more of this producer for they are one that should not be overlooked by those who want small batch wines in their collection.
1998 Griffen Creek Merlot Syrah Rogue Valley
Loaded up with blueberry fruit and bing cherry flavors, this unique blend from Southern Oregon is soft and easy to drink. The spicy Syrah and the red plum notes of the blend are an interesting counterpoint as the blend is very atypical and yet these two seem to work so well. The wine is soft and very much like a meritage in balance. The blueberry and coffee flavors along with cherry and cola make the wine a nice post Pinot and Turkey glass of wine to enjoy with pumpkin pie.
Happy holiday....
Yesterday I cancelled reservations at Portland's oldest seafood restaurant, Jakes, and opted to try my luck at a small bistro and bar called Mothers. Did I luck out. The place was sold out, but they had an open seat or two at the bar. Given I'm never opposed to sit at the bar, it was the perfect match for me, for once I saw there list of wines, with every wine available by the glass I knew I had chosen the right place to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
2003 Isenhower Cellars Snapdragon Viognier-Roussane
This is one of the most round and ripe white Rhone blends from Washington State I've had to date. It is full of ripe oranges, pears and peach flavor. The finish is smooth with just a hint of lemony tartness. What made it so appealing was the freshness of the wine. Lots of great fruit, no acidity. It was perfect by itself and surprisingly with the Mushroom soup.
2002 Maysara Pinot Gris Willamette Valley
From coastal vineyards this a very opulent and almost decadently lush Pinot Gris. It has the mouthfeel of a pinot blanc as the very over ripened citrus and melon flavors engulf your palate. There is a slight spritz to the finish but not in a negative way. Ripe honeydew and peach fruit along with tangerine and nectarine flavors round out this ultra impressive white wine. This wine and the Isenhower are the kind of wines that would stand up so well to Sushi dishes or the cooking of friends Evan Cruz and David Abella of Roy's or even Jean Marie Josselin at his Hawaii establishment, "A Pacific Cafe."
2002 Maysara Reserve Pinot Noir
This the kind of Pinot Noir that is perfect with turkey and gravy, but even better with stuffing. Pinot Noir spice right from the start on the nose, with truly an Oregon flavor palate. This is not Burgundy nor is it Santa Barbara. It is a very soft wine that is ready now to please your palate with soft strawberry and raspberry flavor notes. I hope to find more of this producer for they are one that should not be overlooked by those who want small batch wines in their collection.
1998 Griffen Creek Merlot Syrah Rogue Valley
Loaded up with blueberry fruit and bing cherry flavors, this unique blend from Southern Oregon is soft and easy to drink. The spicy Syrah and the red plum notes of the blend are an interesting counterpoint as the blend is very atypical and yet these two seem to work so well. The wine is soft and very much like a meritage in balance. The blueberry and coffee flavors along with cherry and cola make the wine a nice post Pinot and Turkey glass of wine to enjoy with pumpkin pie.
Happy holiday....
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