2006 Penner Ash Dussin Vineyard and 2005 Bouchard Pere et Fils, Clos La Mousse

[TheEngineer]

Went to dinner with a client in Portland in a restaurant called Bluehour. Nice place and great food.

First one 2006 Penner Ash Dussin Vineyard. This wine opened up a bit discombolulated but came together very quickly with a bit of air. Nose is pretty, floral, ripe dark fruits, and hints of mocha. Much is the same on the palate, rather lush, smooth, dense. Smooth tannins and a nice balanced acidity, long finish.

Second wine was meant to see the difference between two styles. Visually different, transparent light ruby. Very nice and interesting nose with strawberrys red fruits, hints of gaminess and leather. After the Penner Ash, nothing was going to be lush and on first opening, this certianly was much more lith, but with a little air, wow, gained a ton of weight to the point where it was rather dense but always with a solid backbone, tannic, nice refreshign acidity, minerality. Very elegant drink and very well balanced.

[dananne]

Sounds like a nice dinner! Thanks for the notes on the Penner Ash, in particular, as I've yet to try one of her '06s. Willamette Pinots from '06 just might turn out to be very special wines according to some folks I've talked to out there, but I haven't tasted enough to form much of an opinion about them.