And I thought I knew most Oregon wineries......

Good day!

Sometimes you "stumble" upon something that's been right in front of you, and you are mighty glad you did!  Cindy and I were out in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA picking up wine for the Medical Teams Great Adventure auction last Saturday when we came across the Bryn Mawr tasting room.  At the top of the gravel road, we hung a left entering an open space that is visually one of the most sensational views I have ever seen in wine country.  Truly the view toward the coast and the coast range is unsurpassed.  The tasting room may not be a "Dom. Serene" type facility but the wine rivals their selections at a much more reasonable price and the "hosts" are helpful and attentive.

The estate vineyards are some of the highest in elevation in the Eola-Amity Hills area.  They are primarily planted in Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay and, believe it or not, Tempranillo, the latter of which is not produced every year because of the elevation and late ripening, but I was lucky enough to taste the 2009 (a hot vintage) and then buy it!  All of the fruit used by Bryn Mawr are grown on their property - so all the wine is Estate bottled.

We started our tasting the 2010 Chardonnay.  I was quite impressed with the nose of primarily white peach and apple and the similar flavors that followed with a hint of unsweetened cream and marzipan adding complexity.  This was not a heavy Chardonnay - it was, dare I say it, perfect!  A lovely cross between the austere Burgundian Chardonnay and the rich California Chardonnay.

We then sampled the 2011 Rosé of Pinot Noir followed by the 2009 Estate Pinot Noir.  The color is lovely on the former - and has a quick burst of sweet stone fruit with a hint of spritz.  It compares nicely with the Dom. Sorin out of Provence that I had recently - although the latter is a Rhone-style Rosé.  And for $20/bottle the Estate P. Noir was deep in color, bright ripe cherry, tobacco and an expressive, warm finish.  Incredible value!

Then the big "brother/sister" taste-off occurred with the 2009 Jeffrey's Block and the 2009 Krista's Block Pinot Noir.  These siblings are soccer aficionados and you can tell a "friendly" rivalry exists as the hash marks on the concrete wall will attest - "IIII" for me.....only III for you!"  These wines were stellar - less than 14% alcohol which is amazing for a 2009 Pinot Noir - where having a high-elevation and cooler temperatures come in handy, I guess.  $32/bottle is an incredible price for a Pinot Noir that easily rivals the White Rose Pinot Noirs.  Rich, deep, full flavored, aromatic in all the "right ways", simply delicious! 

This winery may be a bit out of the way - you won't pass it going anywhere else - you actually have to plan for it (5955 Bethel Heights Rd. NW, Salem) - but you will be abundantly pleased.  It truly is in my top 10 at the moment!