Willamette Trip Report (Prior to Washington Offline)

[wondersofwine]

I agree that the Scott Paul Pinot was the best one at the Carlton Winemakers Studio (and beyond my budget). I was disappointed in the Hamacher. I visited Dundee Bistro for lunch on Wednesday of last week (operated by the Ponzis) and enjoyed by pasta dish in a tomato-cream sauce and a Ponzi Pinot Blanc. On Thursday I had lunch at Tina's (okay but not as good as the lunch at Dundee Bistro). Had dinner Tuesday night at Pazzo (Italian restaurant) in my hotel (Vintage Plaza Hotel in Portland) and Wednesday night at Hurley's in Portland. Hurley's was a real gourmand experience (French cuisine). They had two savory flans to choose from--sweet pea or corn and I loved the corn flan served with morels. Then I had yellowfin tuna tartare in an artistic cylindrical layered presentation with celeriac mousse, avocado, and orange flying fish roe on the top of the cylinder. The cylinder was encircled by very thinly sliced cucumbers. Accompanied the flan and tartare with 1/3 bottle Chenas Beaujolais Cru (a 2003). Fruity, somewhat bland, good for a dinner wine, probably not too exciting on its own. The hot European vintage probably affected it but still quite drinkable.
Spent two days in the Willamette Valley. Visited Lange at the recommendation of Dananne and really liked their wines. Brought a bottle of the 2003 Pinot Noir Reserve home with me. Got to Torii Mor, Adelsheim (attractive facility but a little disappointed in the wines), Archery Summit, Argyle and the Oregon Tasting Room. At Argyle I purchased two half bottles of the Minus Five (simulated Eiswein from {Pinot Noir grapes--they pick the grapes and then freeze them). We had the Minus Five at the Friday dinner in the Tri-Cities so I called the winery and ordered three more bottles of Minus Five to be delivered when the weather cools. ($25 a half-bottle and only 75 cases produced--sold only at the winery). From Dundee Bistro I purchased a Ponzi Arneis (aromatic white wine from Italian grape).
I agree that the Dobbes wine Dananne brought to the dinner was really good. One to consider ordering from the winery. Will post on some of the Washington wines under Northwest thread later.