Van Duzer Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir 2004

The sunset in late January near Dallas Oregon is bold, beautiful and richly textured as it seems to last forever going down over the Coast Ranges. The vineyards in this "Van Duzer Corridor" are spread out far and wide. When the Pinot Noir vines awaken, they benefit from more than their fair share of the sun and the gentle cool west wind, and wines which capture the beauty of this sunset are made from the fruit they bear.

Zephyra is the name of the beautiful lady who graces the label and she represents the west wind of Greek mythology, Zephyr.

The Van Duzer family winery, is owned by Carl and Marilynn Thoma, and practices sustainable farming on their 77-acre estate 3 miles off Highway 99W. This is the Thoma's long-term vision and they continue to invest in it with the best people, techniques and equipment available. A new winery building was opened to the public last year, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Winemaker Jim Kakacek reports Estate Pinot Noir 2004 is 100% varietal, hand harvested, cold-fermented, and aged 10 months in French oak barrels, approximately 1/3 new, 1/3 one-year-old and 1/3 neutral. Kakacek has overseen winemaking at Van Duzer for the past 12 years.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep cranberry garnet with a purple haze, semi-opaque. Aromas: Luscious pungent pomegranate, cassis and black cherry, fine sweet spice and faint hints of earth. Gorgeous rich smooth texture is the real story here, possessing a nearly full body for a Pinot and enough backbone to carry it well. Rich dark red fruit and spice flavors reverberate alongside supporting notes of oak in the double encore of a finish.

Excellent value ($26). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 13.5%.

Food pairing: Salmon, pan-seared and then poached atop red onion in white wine and butter.

Comments

[Ronld Moeller]

I Buy case every year it a great Pinot