2004 Oreana PN, Santa Barbera County

[hotwine]

Stumbled over this at Costco today, just after noticing their shipment of wild Sockeye salmon... sounded like a perfect pairing.

Opened the wine an hour before dinner and sampled a small glass while minding the fish on its cedar plank bed and the hot oak coals below. "Fruit bomb" were the first words that cropped up, but that moderated with a little time, settling down to a very nice sipper. The wine really opened up though with dinner (sauteed asparagus spears and oven fried spuds with garlic bread were sides).....smooth entry over the salmon, not overbearing on the fruit at all, fullness on the palate, graceful finish..... a delightful wine. 13.8% alc/vol and $20.59 per. Looking forward to Round #2 tomorrow (we usually prepare enough food to cover two meals instead of just one, to save preparation hassles the second night. "Nuke and go!")

[dananne]

You got a good price on it. Less than 300 cases made, and it got a 92 from the Speculator, FWIW.

Sounds like a nice evening.

[hotwine]

Just looked it up after your post, Dan. Looks like further investment is in order. (I think she's done the books for the month, so a bigger purchase won't be noticed for a few weeks.... if luck holds.) Will also pay more attention to the flavor profile tonight, beyond simply "Aw, man, this is nice!"

[hotwine]

Opened and poured about 2 1/2 hours ago, only now sipping as the leftovers are being warmed. Raspberries are there, and blueberries, and a bit of white chocolate, and minute vanilla. Smooth as silk! I'm no Pinot authority, but it's the best I've had.

Snagged a box this afternoon, which cleaned 'em out.

[oostexan]

Picked this up today while in Costco, brought it home, and corked it to go with dinner.

I agree with hotwines tn's, with very good concentrated fruit, deep and dark for a Pinot, and a lovely vanilla oak finish. This is a fruit forward and delicious California pinot. Reminds me a lot of the Sea Smoke Botella in terms of flavor profile, though not as much fruit and complexity. Gonna get a half a case or so. Needs a year or two in the dark, but its great juice for 20 dollars a bottle.

Its the kind of bottle you pull out to serve to guests as it shows as well as a 35+ dollar bottle of wine. Great value.

Mark

[winoweenie]

Sounds like I need to borrow sumuns' Costco card. Will look into it whenced I return from Rocky point. WW

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 11-20-2006).]