2003 Owen Roe "The Kilmore" Pinot Noir

[dananne]

This is a 14 barrel blend of Pommard clone PN from two Willamette vineyards. Deep color, almost purple. It sat in the decanter for about an hour before 1st pour and through evening. On the plus side, it had nice floral aromas that are either rose or violet, and a very interesting coffee streak (both aroma and flavors) that is unique and distinctive. Heavy, plummy, dark fruit flavors. On the negative side, it felt too heavy, and there was a bit of heat on the finish that I noticed more than Anne (alc. a relatively reasonable 14%, however). Some rough tannins (for a PN) on the back end, too. I guess I'd just have to say that it's a unique wine, I'm glad we had a chance to try it, but it goes a bit over the top for my tastes. Plus, I don't like coffee. Paid about $30 for it at Binny's in Chicago. FWIW, WS gave it an 83.

[Bucko]

Give 'em a try in a better vintage year. I am pretty much avoiding 03s -- too hot, too big, too atypical.

Hmmm... sounds like France as well.

[dananne]

It hasn't turned me off Owen Roe -- I've actually got several things in the cellar right now, including the Sharecropper's PN, Sinister Hand, etc.

You're right about the hot '03 -- it did produce a lot of out-of-character wines. When we were there last summer, it was, generally-speaking, the vintage being poured in all the TRs (some folks were still pouring reserve '02s, too). Our overall take was that some managed to do better than others, and there were some marvelous '03s by several folks -- Ken Wright, Patty Green, Lynn Penner-Ash, Torii Mor, Lange, etc. Even some others like Namaste, EIEIO, Carlo & Julian, Maysara, and Solena did a pretty good job. There were others, though, that had a very difficult time with it (didn't like the '03s from Archery Summit, for example).