There has been so much debate about the quality of the 2010 Oregon Pinot Noir. Many feel it’s the best vintage ever. Others feel it was a freak of nature that produced wines that are low in alcohol and light in body. After tasting many, many 2010’s I think both views have validity. In my opinion, at the top level of the best wines of the vintage, it could very well be the vintage of a lifetime. At the bottom level the wines are thin, insipid and lack flavor and texture. The thing to remember is that you have me here, acting, as always, as your swill filter. I will bring in the best and reject the rest. That said, at the top level of the Thomas’ and the Arterberry Maresh and the Cameron Clos and Abbey these will be wines to lay down and wait for the magic to happen with bottle age. The wines are very Burgundian with beautiful aromas that only Pinot can provide. The balance in these top wines is flawless and perfect with alcohols in the 13% and under range and the style of wine is very, very Pinot indeed. When I say that I mean pretty and feminine. This does not mean they are light as the best have as much flavor as one could want in a glass of wine. After all, Pinot is a grape of beauty and prettiness and these 2010’s have it in spades. I can’t remember another vintage that provided such perfect Pinots. But, like I said, only the top wines are worthy of adding to your cellar. The vintage was very small and in most cases wineries were down by as much as 50% and sometimes more. The message here is that when the best are released if you blink you’ll miss them. Seriously! Stay tuned and if you want to make sure that you get the top wines let me know and I’ll grab them for you as the come out. While I would love to do offerings on these wines in most cases there won’t be enough wine for me to do a competent offer. The way to get them is to ask me ahead of time.
The Lineup
2010 Libra Wine Cellars, Willamette Valley $17
2010 Belle Pente Vineyards, Willamette Valley $23
2010 Evening Land Vineyards, Willamette Valley $27
2010 Broadley Vineyards, “Estate” $29
2010 Lemelson Vineyards, Thea’s Selection $30
Premium Pour ($5)
2010 Lenne Estate, Karen’s Pommard $55
That’s it for now. If you want to get a good idea as to the style of 2010 the above will give you some clarity.
Sandy
Sandy Thompson, Proprietor
Mt. Tabor Fine Wines
4316 SE Hawthorne Bl
Portland, Or. 97215
(503)235-4444
