Wine Tasting - RiverAerie

THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHT - Thirst Wine Bar (7/31/2008)

4 current release wines from RiverAerie, the second label of Bunnell Family Cellar. Winemaker Ron Bunnell was previously head red winemaker for Chateau St. Michelle, and then Col Solare, before starting his own labels.

• 2006 RiverAerie Riesling - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  Slightly sweet, with nice flavors of melon and citrus. Perhaps a touch of pineapple in there too... (86 pts.)


• 2006 RiverAerie Viognier - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  Smooth, but lacking in flavor, compared to the Riesling. Apples, pears, maybe a touch of honeydew. (84 pts.)


• 2006 RiverAerie Malbec - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  A touch on the bitter side. Great, bright fruit, spicy, but the bitter finish kills the enjoyment, and has me wishing I had some food to go with this wine. (85 pts.)


• 2005 RiverAerie Barbera - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  Wine of the tasting. Sweet fruit, strawberry, cherry and a bit of earthiness that is pleasant. (87 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Wine Tasting - Apolloni Vineyards

I recently took a day trip out to Forest Grove, OR with a small group of friends to do some wine tasting. We braved the 100-degree sun to hang out with Alfredo and Laurine Apolloni, the owners of Apolloni Vineyards, and sample some of their current offerings. As usual, tasting notes are from CellarTracker, and are posted below.

APOLLONI VINEYARDS TASTING - Winery Tasting Room (6/28/2008)

• 2007 Apolloni Pinot Blanc - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  Just released. NICE nose of grapefruit with some pear, which follow to the palate. Tasty, but a tad bitter on the finish. (85 pts.)


• 2006 Apolloni Pinot Gris - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  Citrus and pear bouquet and flavors. Prefer this over the 07 Pinot Blanc. Finish was very nice, with lasting flavors of pears. (87 pts.)


• 2007 Apolloni Pinot Noir Rosé - USA, Oregon
  Never thought I'd like a rose wine, but wow. The nose on this wine is incredible. Grapefruit and strawberry all day long! Bouquet follows to the palate, but with some outstanding dryness. You think the wine will be sweet after smelling it, but quite the opposite. Bravo! (88 pts.)


• 2006 Apolloni Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
  Compared to the 2 bottles of 2005 Pinot Noir I've had from this producer, very disappointing. Could be the youth of this wine showing, but the flavors were lacking across the board. Nice nose of raspberry, cherry and tobacco, but I didn't get a whole lot on my palate. (85 pts.)


• 2006 Apolloni Syrah Conti di Val Seriana - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  A nice effort with a new varietal for this winery, bottled under another label (Conti di Val Seriana), but lacking (or could be youth...). Nice fruitiness, but missing that peppery, smokey Syrah flavor that I've come to associate with Washington Syrahs, and love dearly. A nice wine, just not for me. (85 pts.)


• 2007 Apolloni Viognier Dolce Vino - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
  A VERY tasty dessert wine. Sweet, with some very definite citrus flavors. Like adult candy! (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker