14 Cases, 7 Magnums, and a Very Careful Drive

This morning I set out to pick up the rest of the wine from the Abbey and get a bottle of Amity Vineyards '06 Winemakers Reserve Pinot Noir. Both tasks were successful.
When I arrived at the Abbey I started packing in the cases, three in the front, 6in the back seat, and 5 in the back. The ride was very solid and I was a nervous wreck worrying about having something happen.
I stopped for lunch at Farm to Fork and spoke to Kendal about having them do an auction Item for next year. Her husband Paul gave us a bottle a few weeks ago of his wonderful wine, De Lancellotti Pinot Noir.
I had the Duck Confit salad and a glass of Maysara '08. It was perfect match. The tartness of the Rose' with its overtones of cherries and rhubarb worked perfectly with the blue cheese, figs, and dressed greens, and enhanced the flavor of the crisp duck. Wonderful!
I went carefully south and stopped at Amity Vineyards for a bottle to complete the founders case, wines with a long history, in this case 1971! I selected a bottle of the Winemakers Reserve '06 Pinot Noir($50), what they donated last year, and by pure luck, I bought the case it was in!

Jill let me taste all the Pinot Noirs they had out and I really enjoyed them, especially the '07 Crannell Single Vineyard, Pinot Noir: Earthy, big fruit, tobacco, pepper, and spice on the nose and a soft warm mouthfeel that has lots of subtle blackberry and spice. Long after with tangy citrus and berry.
And of course the devastatingly good '06 Winemaker's Reserve: Lighter than some of the '06 Pinot Noirs but with a cool steady raspberry and earth nose and a warm, mouth-filling berry, vanilla, coco, and black cherry pallet. Love it!
Now I am home and have to sort wine...
In the morning I am going out to pick up a bottle of wine that LaVelle has for me and  for a magnum of Merriweather's '99 Cuvee'!

An Afternoon in the Mid Valley

After a Looong board meeting this morning I struck out to gather some wine in the area around Eola-Amity AVA. My first stop was Orchard Heights. I was amazed by their tasting room/snack bar/ gift shop! You would never know what is inside by what is outside. They were so nice and helpful! We were given a bottle of Bronze medal winning Pinot Gris and one of the 2007 Merlot made with 100% Oregon grapes. I really like the Merlot for its deep chocolate and fruit. I also got just a hint of tobacco and leather in the back taste. Nice!
A lot of the wineries are closed now but I did find Redhawk open and got to meet the owner John Pataccoli. He was very nice and even though I interrupted him while he was bottling , he gave us a bottle of his best selling "Grateful Red". I recommend a visit to taste the wines, and to see John smile when he talks about them!
I was in a rush to find more wineries open and I saw Bryn Mawr. Meeting David Lloyd-Jones lowered my blood pressure by a few points and made me want to stop what I was doing and join him in the vineyards to learn the proper pruning methods. His rambunctious dogs and the docile sheep, the view (which he should also bottle) and his calm and patient demeanor, all made me very pleased to be there. We tasted his 06 and 07 Pinot Noirs: Yin and Yang. The yang was the 06 with its power ans rich chocolate and fruit and spirited taste. The yin was the subtle, soft, and vital 07. As I held it in my mouth it began to open and gently let loose the fruit and flowers. Such a huge difference between them yet there was a distinct sense that David's hand had made each one, from the planting to the pruning to the harvesting. I can't wait to spend more time there. I think he might be a secret poet! You HAVE to read his web site.
David was kind enough to give us two bottles of his 07 Pinot Noir. I think this is as good or better than most of the "big boys" in the area.
Bethel Heights was next. What they gave me was a true nectar of the Gods. I have drank this wine before and even have it in my tasting notes! "Rich deep lasting flavor of sweet pear and anise, dry wheat and pepper. Love it!" It is the 05 Chardonnay done in oak.
Ted and Pat were working in the office when I came in and plead my case and when ask for a wine that they were very proud of, the 05 Chard came first. I am taking Linda up in May to buy me a birthday present!
I swung by another winery to pick up a donation from Whistling Dog and the woman at the vineyard where I picked it up was very nice and sweet. The wine Celeste left for me is a big Pinot Noir: lush mouth feel, lots of rich fruit and soft sweet finish. I can't wait till they have their own tasting room. The 06 Pinot Noir has already gained a rep and three of the other wineries I stopped at spoke very well of it.
My next stop involved daffodils! As I got out of the car at Kristen Hill a had to stop and think about what moth it was. It IS still February is it not? She had Daffodils blooming in the yard! My attention soon moved to wine: Pinot Gris. I did not taste it but will before the auction and will tell you what I think.
Last stop! Amity Vineyards.
Deep history of wine there. I had already picked up an 06 Pinot Noir from them at the Newport fest but had to stop and taste the rest. Absolutely wonderful whites, reds, and desert wines. You have to go and spend some time sampling and buying. The range of tastes in the 06 Pinot Noir are astounding!
Back home now with wine everywhere and not a drop to drink...I have to break into my cellar tonight!