Current Oregon Releases

[Randy Caparoso]

I've made a couple of passes through the winery and estate over the past five years, and can clearly see that Drouhin's innovative viticulture and attention to detail have made a telling impact on the rest of the Oregon winemaking community. But even up until this date, I've yet to say that I actually enjoy drinking their wines. I've found their releases -- especially their reserves -- quite hard, tough in the middle, and dried out in the finish, in spite of wealths of spicy, dark berry flavor in the entries. I guess it's a "style" thing with me. I wish their wines were a little more gentle and giving -- like even their "bigger" Oregonian competitors (re Beaux Freres, Ponzi, Adelsheim, etc.). I also believe that someday they'll come out with something that combines a little tenderness with their chosen methods, and then I'll be all over it!