Wine Dinner Featuring Oregon and Washington Wines

 A small circle of friends and wine enthusiasts gathered recently for a wine dinner featuring my selection of libations from Oregon and Washington, including a Pinot Gris, an unoaked Chardonnay, and two Pinot Noirs from the former, and a Merlot and a Cabernet Sauvigon from the latter.  These wines reflect a snapshot of the leading varietals and strengths of Northwest production at affordable price points. The Westmont Pinot Gris and A to Z Pinot offer especially good values, whereas the Chehalems, Crossfork Creek and Gordon Estate represent a step-up in price and complexity for a more indulgent tasting experience. 

Many thanks again to our gracious hosts for the delicious repast featuring tasty cheeses, charcuterie, stuffed pork loin, pasta and broccoli among other mouth-watering comestibles.

All wines were purchased at Total Wine in Delaware, except for the Westmount which I picked up in the Pennsylvania wine and spirits store.

Westmount Pinot Gris 2020 ($15 plus tax)

Origin: Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon

Varietal: 100% Pinot Gris

Production/Tasting Notes: Soil composed of glaciatic silt deposits, alluvial clay; juicy, sappy, lush with ripe citrus and apple fruit with hints of green melon; crisp acidity; bright, fresh, with palate-cleansing minerality  (92 points, Wine Enthusiast)

Food  Pairing: seafood, chicken, soft cheeses - chevre, roquefort  

Alcohol: 13.1%

 

Chehalem Inox Unoaked Chardonnay 2021 ($21)

Origin: Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay

Tasting Notes: Fermented in 100% stainless steel; aged on the lees for 2 months before being stabilized and bottled; vibrant, crisp with delicate aromas of white flowers, fresh honeycomb, pink lady apples; stone fruit on the mid-palate; silky, balanced finished.  (92 points, Wine Enthusiast; 90 points, Wine Spectator)

Food pairing: Roast chicken; butternut squash risotto

Alcohol:  12.5%

 

A to Z Pinot Noir 2020 ($20)

Origin: Oregon

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes: Organically grown; red fruit aromatics - cherry, plum, cranberry, pomegranate; notes of spice - clove, turmeric, gingerbread; herbs - thyme, mint, lavender; wood - spruce, cedar; savory - bacon, mushroom; succulent, round palate; oak profile of sandalwood, mesquite, vanilla; soft, structured tannins; fresh, balanced acidity; lingering finish of cherry, purple flower, herbs.

Food Pairing: pork; grilled duck breast; salmon; pizza

Alcohol: 13.5%

 

Chehalem Pinot Noir 2019 ($31.49)

Origin: Chehalem Mountains AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir

Production/Tasting Notes: Three to five days of cold maceration; fermented in stainless steel tanks for 8-14 days; aged in French oak for 10 months (21 new oak); intense bright red fruit aromatics of strawberries, cranberries, cherry pie following through on the palate with subtle notes of toasted almonds, toffee, white pepper spice; juicy, dense palate with silk tannins.

Food Pairing: coq au vin; roast lamb; osso buco

Alcohol:  12.8%

 

Crossfork Creek Merlot 2020 ($27)

Origin: Yakima Valley, Washington

Varietals: 100% Merlot

Production/Tasting Notes: Notes of black fruit - black currant, wild berry; dense, layered structure; full bodied

Food Pairing: Pasta with meaty ragu sauce; ratatouille; chargrilled meats; tagines          

Alcohol:  14%

 

Gordon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ($25)

Origin : Columbia Valley, Washington

Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Production/Tasting Notes:  22 months in 80% neutral French oak and 20% in American neutral oak; hints of cocoa, raspberry, black plum; on the palate a balance of black fruit, wet-stone minerality, savory dried herbs, soft, silky moderate tannins; smooth, toasty lingering finish

Food Pairings: intensely flavored meats; bone-in steak with mushroom sauce.

Alcohol: 13.8%