2003 Solena Grande Cuvee Pinot Noir

[dananne]

This was one we tried and enjoyed on our summer '05 trip to the Willamette Valley, though we tried the '04 last summer and liked it better. The '03s have turned out to be somewhat atypical for the region, as hot temps (particularly late in the growing season) caused many wines to show stewed fruit flavors, heavier bodies, and hot finishes. Some folks managed to get it right and craft balanced wines, but others didn't fare so well.

Dark garnet in the glass, with purple flashes. Decanted 30 minutes before 1st pour. Aromas and entry flavors of black plum and black cherry. The prickly finish picks up some clove and red spices, as well as some of the aforementioned heat. Not bad for the vintage, but again, not as good as the '04 Grande Cuvee from Solena. 14.5% alc, which is probably too much for an Oregon Pinot Noir this side of the big dogs -- Ken Wright, Lynn Penner-Ash, Patty Green, etc. We paid $25 at the Oregon Wine Tasting Room. FWIW, WE 90.

[dananne]

I may have to take back the praise on the '04. It tasted hot (even though the alc was down to 13.8%) and muddled this weekend. It could be falling apart, it may be in a dumb phase, or there could be bottle variation. At any rate, it didn't please us nearly as much as it did when we tasted it in the summer of '06. Ran us $25 from the winery. Right now, if tasted side by side, I'd prefer the '03.