2002 Argyle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

[wondersofwine]

14% alcohol; screw cap
The wine is a pretty dark ruby color, clear in the glass. Rich dark cherry nose matched by a tart smoky cherry flavor. Black pepper spice hinted in the finish. This was a darker color and higher alcohol (14% vs. 13.5%) than the 2001 vintage. I think it might have seemed more carefree and pleasing at a lower alcohol content. I wasn't very happy with the wine by itself or with crackers, but it mellowed a bit and took on added appeal with simply prepared turkey slices and green beans and corn and another evening with ham slices. Back label indicates macerated twice on grape skins so this is a rather highly extracted Pinot Noir.
Sells for under $20 a bottle.

[Grape Stuff]

had the same bottle over the weekend, and agree that it got more interesting once we started eating.

It was also my first screw cap. Seemed a bit odd not doing the ritual of popping the cork, but my purchase was not at all impeded by the screw.

[wondersofwine]

Yes. Esthetically, the popping the cork is nice but I'd rather have the screw cap than deal with a crumbling cork or tainted cork/wine.

[WileECoyote]

Had the 2004 this weekend in Boston. It was a little sweeter than expected. Didn't take notes. I do agree this was better with the Salmon in butter lemon pepper sauce. This wine was also recomended with my fiance's meal of Eggplant Parmessian. Bad idea. Went well with the Salmon though. Demaggio's in Little Italy is great!

On another note, if you are in Boston Logan Airport, the C terminal has a Legal Seafoods Restauraunt with a pretty good wine list.

[wondersofwine]

I've eaten in both Legal Seafood restaurants in DC and like it for both food and wine choices. Introduced my friend to Trimbach Gewurztraminer at one of them and she loved it.