Author: Rainbear32

I’ve been a fan of Noble Vines for some time.  I’ve sampled their 337 Cab Sauv and 181 Merlot before on different occasions and have enjoyed their simple yet supple flavors.  So with that in mind and the various reviews I’ve been reading lately regarding “cheap” red wines . . I figured I’d give this…

We just spent a week in the heartland, without any great wines to fulfill my palate.  So, upon returning home I decide it was time to post another review.  I went to my wine cellar and pulled a 2011 Barbera from Remy Wines. Remy Drabkin is one of my favorite wine makers.  She has a…

I LOVE blends.  More specifically, I love southern Rhone blends.  The SouthWest region of France is home to the Rhone Valley.  An exquisite growing region for Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes . . . the little lovelies that are used in this heavenly concoction.  And Kirkland (Costco) has found another gem for their wine empire….

I recently reviewed the 2013 Troon Zinfandel. . and it didn’t get high marks . . .so I thought it might be good to further review some of their other wines based on a recent visit to their tasting room in Carlton.  A couple of the ladies from the Applegate “Mothership” were there to visit…

We are attending a release party at WVV – Tualatin Estates  winery for some small production wines created and nurtured by the former owner Bill Fuller. First was the 2013 Vintage 40 Chardonnay.   Nice bright acidity and a luscious structure make for a Chard with character. $40 Second was the 2013 Vintage 40 Pinot…

I have seemed to skip right over one of our club wineries so I thought it  might be good to review something from Troon.  We LOVE their Druids Fluid, but I reviewed that when we went to the SIP in McMinnville. I opened this bottle yesterday and poured a small sample, swirled the glass and…

Willakenzie Estate is a very beautiful 420 acre facility located in Yamhill County near the small town of Yamhill.  The wines made here are done in true French style. I opened a bottle of 2011 Jory Hills and was immediately hit with the strong notes of dark cherry (like cherry pie), blackberry and chocolate.  I…

I am, most generally, a red wine guy.  I have tried to be one of those people that like everything . . .red, Pink, white . . .but I have to say, for many options, I tolerate them.  Most tasting rooms start you with one of their “delectable” white wines.  For most, in the Willamette…

Let me state right from the start, I LOVE Italian varietals.  Especially Sangiovese, which you will normally find in the store under the name Chianti or Chianti Reserva.  It is made with the glorious Sangiovese grape. Remy Wines, a small boutique winery in McMinnville (which I am a club member thereof) specializes in Italian varietals….

A couple months ago, while on our way back from a trip into Yamhill County wine country, we decided to try out a tasting room in Newberg that we’d never visited.  We stopped in at Artisanal Wine Cellars on 1st street in Newberg. Such a quaint place with really warm, inviting staff.  We were fortunate…