Friday Sips

If you reside in Oregon and enjoy our local wines, it has been almost impossible to not hear the chatter that's been occurring over the 2012 vintage. A vintage of small quantity, it is an absolute thrill to be able to offer this wine at 20 bucks. Last year's version was one of our favorite value Pinots and this year promises to be just as exciting but in a significantly different manner. The minds behind Walter Scott are veteran Oregon wine biz players, husband and wife team of Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon. Ken was assistant winemaker at St. Innocent for 13 years and also did time at Evening Land. Erica has been a fixture in Oregon restaurants working as a sommelier and creating fantastic wine lists and generally spreading wine knowledge throughout our fine city. Given the talents of these two it's not surprising that what's been emerging from their Eola-Amity-based cellars is nothing short of impressive.

La Combe Verte is Walter Scott's entry Pinot Noir doesn't exactly open the door with its terrific quality, it kicks the door in! Blended from 3 Eola-Amity vineyards (Bieze, Clos des Oiseaux & Eola Springs) plus one famed Willamette Valley site (Freedom Hill), this number walks the line between red and black. Sensuous aromatics with an impressive core of poised fruit, engaging smoke and spice all which follows through to a silky texture that expands nicely and maintains vibrancy throughout. Lengthy and very promising, this seriously delectable Pinot is an unmitigated heist!

Cuvée Ruth is a new wine from Walter Scott and is certainly a step up from the previously-mentioned Pinot Noir. The same 4 vineyards are utilized, however this is a selection of some of Ken and Erica's favorite barrels all designed to be a 175 case bridge between the La Combe Verte and the single vineyard reserve wines.

Voluptuous, fragrant and seemingly androgynous with masculine and feminine aspects that are bursting, broad and possess ample perfume. An extra level of depth and complexity both aromatically and in flavor-profile give way to a finish that is lacy, sultry and quite persistent. The Cuvée Ruth is THIS good and if this is the case, we can't wait to see the single vineyard wines when they are released!

Champagne Delamotte, the sister house to the legendary (and uber-expensive) Salon, is a Blanc de Blancs specialist of impeccable pedigree. With 250 years of history and being that all of their fruit for this Blanc de Blancs coming from 100% Grand Cru Vineyards, Delamotte's version is undoubtedly one of the most radiant that you will ever taste. Low dosage combined with 4-5 years on the lees before bottling makes it a seriously complex sparkler.

First and foremost, Delamotte is all about minerality and dimension; the key being the fruit being from the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil. Classic Champagne chalky aromas combine nicely with aromatic lemon-blossom, white chocolate, ginger and subtle biscuit aspects all which seemingly don't stop flowing from the glass. The entire package can best be described as pleasure and poise. Plenty of depth but plenty of livewire qualities it's perfect for sharing with friends and accompanied by freshly-shucked oysters, crab or even lobster.