A McMinnville, Oregon Pinot Noir

The Willamette Valley in northwestern Oregon is particularly known for its Pinot Noir. The McMinnville AVA is a subregion of that valley, said to be distinguished by its soil, rainfall, and climate. In 1997 Moe and Flora Momtazi bought 532 acres (over 200 hectares) of an abandoned wheat farm near McMinnville, Oregon and began planting grapes the following year. They made a commitment to biodynamic (that’s organic plus) wine. They do six Pinot Noirs including one costing in the mid to high eighties depending on vintage when purchased from their web site. Contact them for a destination wedding. The companion wine is a California Pinot Noir at less than half again the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed

Maysara Third Degree McMinnville Pinot Noir 2008 13.7 % alcohol about $21.
Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : From the youngest female winemaking team in the U.S. comes this certified biodynamically grown Pinot Noir. Flavors of cherry, pomegranate and fresh nutmeg are rounded out with elegant tannins and fine structure. This young wine – it could benefit from decanting – is drinkable now, but will continue to evolve over the next few years. Food pairings : Effortless – Brie; Dine Out and Delivery – Bacon cheeseburger; Special Occasion – Duck and wild mushroom risotto. (Angela Ortmann, FEAST Magazine (St. Louis), Sept. 2010.)” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was rich and mouth filling. Its acidity was almost sour. Japanese rice crackers rendered the liquid earthy, but its fruit seemed unripe. When paired with a barbecued chicken breast in a spicy skin this wine was powerful, oaky, and chewy. A commercial potato salad with celery and onions made Red a tasty liquid whose acidity was bang on. The other side dish was roasted eggplant brimming with garlic. Now this Pinot Noir became a tasty liquid and nothing more.

This review of an Oregon Pinot Noir continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_articles/Elsewhere_wine_articles/mcminnville_oregon_pinot_noir.php