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Sunday, August 28, 2011World of Wine Grand Tasting 2011
World of Wine Grand Tasting 2011
All the Oregon Wine Geeks couldn't make it to the WOW Grand Tasting this year, two were out of town so it just left me and my wife with some good friends of ours to brave it out. It's a rough life but if I must. What a wonderful event this year. Let's start with organization, the event was held in a large rectangular tent. Inside the producers were lined up alphabetically around the perimeter of the internal tent wall facing the center in a clockwise fashion, food was set up in different location around the silent auction table which was in the center. It was laid out so you could always turn from the winemakers and get a bite to eat. There was a nice seating area outside with a stage and music by David Correa and Cascada.
Onto the wine, I made a conscious effort to say hello to all the winemakers and folks we've met the last few years, but to spend my tasting time with producers I have not had before or that had something new. I did not over indulge but poured a lot of wine out rather than take the second drink so please don't think I was pouring it out because I didn't find it palatable.
The first Wine that comes to mind is the 2009 Tesoaria Vineyard and Winery Attila. This gold medal winner Barbera varietal was so excellent I sent anyone who asked to give it a try, but all their wines were very tasty and well made. This one will be on the OWG buyer's guide if it can meet the prcing spec.
Tesoaria Vineyard and Winery Attila
I was very impressed by the Cabernet Francs at WOW this year, starting with the gold medal winner 2009 Quady North and 2008 Velocity Cellars William Augustus that won silver. Spangler Vineyard was also pouting a Cab Franc but the highlight there for me was the 2009 Petite Sirah that won gold it was powerful and tasty. On the Pinot Noir side I really like the 2009 Irvine Vineyard Pinot Noir that won a silver. This Ashland vineyards Pinot Noir made by Linda Donovan is medium body with a really good texture. The other Pinot Noir I looked forward to and enjoyed was the 2009 from Paschal Winery. This was the first release by their recently passed owner Ron Tenuta, I'm sure he was very proud of it as he should been, it fully deserved the silver medal.
On the white wine front a couple really stood out for me. The 2010 Brandborg Vineyard Fleur de Lis White Pinot Noir, not something I've had much of but a lovely sip with good balance and refreshing results. The 2010 Pinot Gris from both Pebblestone and Foris were refreshing and really nice considering how hot it was inside the tent. I liked the sweet white dessert wines, 2004 Sienna Ridge IceVine and 2008 South Stage Cellars Bliss. I could of course go on and on about all the wines I had last night, Cricket Hills Right bank blends, Crater Lake Cellars blends and Syrah. The very fine Syrahs from Soloro, South Stage Cellars but I do need to get on with my Sunday. Remember I only had maybe a third of the wines to taste but the Oregon Wine Geeks will try to get to all of you this year.
The whole tasting was really smashing in the British style of the verb and we really enjoyed it.
Posted By: Ted Weldon @ 12:08:18 PM
