Oregon Pinot Noir Camp - Wine Tasting 2004
Set 2 - $54 and above

2000 Domaine Drouhin Laurene Vineyard, $54
This is a fairly recent winery, started up by a famous wine house in Burgundy in 1987. The Oregon winery is run by Veronique Drouhin, daughter of the French winery's winemaker. The 1992 vintage was its first. The winery is named after Veronique Drouhin's oldest daughter. Domaine Drouhin Laurene is located on 225 acres on the Red Hills of Dundee. The wine boasts fresh spice, cherry and dust flavors with bright acids and a nice finish. The wine is made with under 20% in new oak to keep the flavors mellow.

2001 Domaine Serene Evanstad Reserve, $55
Full flavored with sweet spice flavors, this wine had low to medium tannins and a lovely finish of white pepper and sage. This winery is at a high elevation and the setup in 1989 was done with no expense spared. The systems are all gravity fed, and all picking and adjustments are done by hand.

2001 Archery Summit Arcus Vineyard, $78
Archery is one of the newer wineries in the Willamette Valley, just founded in 1993. This vineyard is located right next door to Serene. The wine boasts a full, rich, juicy flavor, with that hint of tomato flavor often found in full, ripe strawberries. There are also light spices and a wax-candy hint to the lovely finish.

Dinner
First we had a herb roasted filet mignon, small circles served atop potato medallions with asparagus tips and a tomato horseradish bernaise. This was a lovely gentle flavor that paired perfectly with the pinot noirs.

Next, pan seared red snapper with portobello mushroom, wild rice risotto and a dusting of truffles. This again was a nice, gentle flavor that really allowed the fruit and spice of the pinot noir to be highlighted.

I highly recommend both of those styles of dishes to be served with pinot noir. The aim is to find a dish that is delicious of course, but gentle in flavors so that the pinot noir's charms are not overwhelmed.

In general, the evening was a wonderful success. Everyone present enjoyed the foods and wines. I would definitely return to Pastis for tasty food, and recommend the pinot noirs of Oregon as a wine group well worth sampling. Just remember to serve it cool to bring out its spice and fruit, and to serve it with foods that complement (without overwhelming).

Set 1 - $28-$50
Pinot Camp Main Tasting Notes

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