2023 Cedar + Salmon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

 

It's always amazing to drink wines that you aren't familiar with, only to find out that they surprise you in a big way.  There are still a significant group of wine enthusiasts who snub their noses at screw top wines, to which we just laugh or shake our heads.  From a winemaker's or vintner's perspective - no cork taint!  Do we need to say more?

This is the 2023 Cedar + Salmon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley red wine from 3 Badge Beverage.  Don't peek to the end to see the price yet, because you won't believe it considering this is 100% Willamette Valley juice.  

Mulberry color in the glass, this wine left us pleasantly perplexed after some air time in the glass and introduction of oxygen with some nice swirling.  Dried rose petal, plum, and black cherry fragrances appear on the nose, leading an introduction to a myriad of flavors.  We first picked up the traditional Pinot Noir gentle flavors of red raspberry, cherry and dried herbs.  Some additional swirling and tasting brought us the smallest hint of clove, joined by button mushrooms and cola.  

The finish was typical for Pinot Noir, which is not particularly lingering, but the flavors danced for moments, inviting you back to the next sip.  We really enjoyed this wine and it is absolutely solid.

ABV:  14.0%

Willamette Valley AVA

Winery:  Cedar + Salmon Wines

Suggested retail price:  $24.99

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

Westward Single Malt Whiskey Pinot Noir Cask

 

We could keep this short and sweet by stating, "We really like this", but that's not our style.  Today we tasted the Westward Single Malt Whiskey Pinot Noir Cask from Oregon and if you're a finished whiskey fan, read on!

Whether or not you're familiar with Westward Whiskey, you need to pay attention to their history and their philosophies.  This award-winning distillery has been around for 20 years, back when craft distilling wasn't "a thing" and they helped pave the way for the now more than 2200 craft brands in the US.  Head distiller Miles Munroe approaches each offering with critical care, always conscious of the footprint that the northwest United States will leave on each bottle.

This single malt whiskey is finished in French Oak Pinot Noir barrels, after first starting off the aging process in American Oak.  For finished whiskey enthusiasts, this one is hitting on all cylinders.  You start with a cherry pie, sweet tobacco, leather and vanilla.  We tasted this neat and allowed it some ample air time, rather than a pop-and-pour method.  Suspecting we had something special here, we wanted to give this dark amber offering some time to show itself, and it did!  Scorched earth, fig, stone fruits and vanilla were at the forefront with a more herb-like finish, combined with cocoa powder and sweet, savory vanilla pudding.  

While we don't know the mash bill or the details of the finishing time in the Pinot barrels, we can tell you that this whiskey really put a smile on our faces.  As someone who genuinely loves Pinot Noir from the Pacific Northwest and whiskey, this was a fanstastic marriage.  A self-proclaimed "whiskey purist" might not appreciate a finish like this, but they would be remiss.  If you aren't familiar with wine finished whiskey, we definitely recommend you try this one out.  It may blow your mind!

ABV:  45.0% (90.0 proof)

Distillery:  Westward Whiskey

Suggested retail price:  $89.95

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

2018 Youngberg Hill Natasha Pinot Noir

 

Don't worry wine snobs.  Not all great wines have corks.  The 2018 Youngberg Hill Natasha Pinot Noir is a screwtop but there is nothing screwy about this wine!  Blueberry compote, leather bound book, wet stone and barn dust are prevalent on the nose.  You really get lost in the aromas of this juice and we found our noses in the glass repeatedly!  Berry cobbler, mocha and ripe plum dance on the palate with a firm but not overbearing acidity.  Medium and memorable finish puts this wine in a "must buy" Oregon Pinot category.  It's quite lovely!

ABV:  14.0%

McMinnville, OR

Production:  600 cases

Suggested retail price:  $65.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2021 Bells Up Winery Rhapsody Pinot Blanc

The 2021 Bells Up Winery Rhapsody Pinot Blanc wine from this small, family-owned winery is our second introduction of unique and flavorful wines from David and Sara Specter.  Pinot Blanc is not a dominant varietal and if you haven't tried it, this is the one you need to get.  Aged on lees for six months, this has a fuller body feel than many white Pinot grape varieties and the terroir of Willamette Valley is evident by the wet stone, crisp fruit flavors and dollops of soy sauce lurking in the background.  There is just the right amount of baking spices mid palate and a memorable finish that includes a noticeable acidity and mineral notes.  We love when you taste a wine and just smile from ear to ear, knowing that you've discovered a fun, memorable bottle.  This wine is drinking very well right now and should for another 4-5 years.  

Medium golden color and very fragrant.

We generally don't taste wines (when reviewing) with food.  After we scribed our thoughts on paper we could just tell that this Pinot Blanc would be a great wine to compliment a snack.  We tasted this with popcorn from Northern Neck Popcorn Bag and the pairing was a-MAZ-ing!

ABV:  12.9%

Willamette Valley, OR

Production:  114 Cases

Suggested retail price:  $32.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

 

2016 Adelsheim Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

When I think of amazing Pinot Noir, I think big bucks.  I think hard-to-find, impossible-to-get and out of my price range.  Well, that's what I used to think.  About 7 years ago I was turned onto the  wines of Willamette Valley in Oregon and like a boy with his first crush, I was quickly smitten.  Anytime you can find a gem in the store, pick one up, even if know little about the wine.  These Pinot Noir are generally top notch and seldom disappoint because most are 100% Pinot (and that's what you should look for).  The 2016 Adelsheim shows the typically beautiful medium blue-purple color in the glass and the aromas of raspberry and cocoa powder are most noticeable.  The mouthfeel is light and welcoming and the raspberry is joined with dried cranberries and baking spices.  This wine is very silky and has very low tannin.  With over 12,000 cases produced, you shouldn't have any trouble picking up 3 or 4 bottles for yourself!  This would pair great with a fatty fish dish.  Enjoy!

ABV:  13.5%

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Suggested retail price:  $30.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100