On 2007-05-01 13:51:39 -0700, Lawrence Leichtman > said:

> Just got back from working in Oregon and Seattle and have never done
> much wine tasting there. Went to Willamette Valley and hit every open
> winery. Some impressions. Tori Mor absolutely hit the heights of the
> smoothest silkiest example of Oregon Pinot Noir and Domaine Serene the
> most powerful as well as Domaine Serene Viognier/Pinot Gris Blend with a
> bit of oak in it. What a great taste. Enjoyed Archery Summit,
> disappointed in several including Lange that was highly rated. Very
> pedestrian Pinot Noirs were the rule at many places with the most
> expensive tasting cost I have ever seen (makes Napa look like a bargain)
> and my biggest disappointment was that Chelhalem, a maker of some
> wonderful Pinot Noirs, had sold their liqour license to a grocer and no
> longer does tastings. Also disappointed that all of the wineries in
> Carlton were closed on Tuesdays and there were some very promising ones
> to hit. Now will have to try a Washington tour though the wineries are
> no where near as convenient to get to as Oregon. With only about 4 hours
> of driving I could get to almost all of the Willamette Valley wineries
> and that counted time getting lost. They are well hidden on some back
> roads.

I've always found that the Torii Mor folks were a little full of
themselves, in general their PN is not to my taste, and I balk at $10
tasting fees. In fact I balk at all tasting fees, but that is another
story... I much prefer the Elk Cove and they have a nice Pinot Blanc,
too. If you seem like a serious wine drinker, they don't charge for
tasting their single vinyard PN's either.

I really don't like paying $5 to taste plonk, and that feeling of
getting ripped off ruins my whole day. (that's the other story.)