Winery - Spindrift Cellars
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Spindrift’s 2006 Reserve Pinot steps it up considerably from the pleasant but unspectacular 2005, beginning with generous aromas of spiced cranberry, cinnamon and earth. On come fruit flavors of cranberry and apple, accents of cola and earth, a mix of scents and flavor impressions that dances across all levels of the palate. This is an especially lovely and generous Pinot Noir.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Spindrift is the little winery that could, and makes excellent wines at consumer-friendly prices, from a variety of grapes that showcase all the strengths of Oregon. This lovely bottle is spicy and tart, yet full-flavored with a mix of lime, lemon, pineapple, pear and rind that gracefully runs into a midpalate that is full and spicy. The sharp acids keep it lively and refreshing, and the finish is nothing short of remarkable in a wine at this price.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This excellent Pinot Gris brings crisp, enticing flavors that perfectly mix pear skin, citrus and spice with a finish that somehow evokes coffee grounds and caramel. Huh? Don’t know how that happens, but what a riot of flavor in such a simple wine. Better yet, the alcohol rests at an unbelievable 12.5%—unheard of in the last two decades. Tart and juicy, this is as European as it gets in Oregon.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Soft and forward, with ripe and lightly oxidized flavors, this is a solid, ready-to-drink, fruity style. A full mid-palate tastes of golden apples and hints at orange liqueur in the finish. Drink up.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Whole cluster fermented in stainless steel, this is big and spicy, with a lovely textural impact. The aromas and flavors run to honeyed pears and very ripe apples; the finish is resonant and surprisingly mature for a 2009. Drink up.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This joins the happily increasing ranks of Oregon Pinots under $20 that can successfully compete with entry-level bottles from New Zealand, California and Burgundy. Grounded in varietal character, it brings tart red fruits, berries, cherries and loamy earth into play; the acids are plentiful and the wine does not overreach. Flavors are true and lingering, with suggestions of gunmetal and iron ore adding interest to the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Scents of dark chocolate greet you immediately; woven into the palate are delicate, feminine Pinot Noir fruit flavors. The overall impression is light and elegant, a mix of berries and wafer-thin chocolate. It’s a pleasure to find more and more Oregon producers moving to lower alcohol (here 13%), more elegant Pinots.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Only 107 cases were made of this unusual Riesling; a pity, given the exotic and appealing flavors it delivers. It has a strong floral flavor, almost like a Gewürztraminer, but wrapped into a delicate Riesling frame offering tea, honey, lemon and grapefruit. The wine, though off-dry, is crisp and almost steely.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Spindrift Cellars wines have an especially light touch, a delicate sensibility that stands apart from many of their Oregon peers. They have done especially well in this difficult vintage, and this softly herbal Pinot Noir outshines many pricier offerings. Berry, pine needle, a pat of butter; somehow all combine into a pleasing whole.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This tight, rather austere Syrah shows cool- climate flavors; it’s hard and herbal, earthy and tannic, but there is a lot going on. It’s not a fruit-driven wine, rather it has the earthy, composty complexity of a Cayuse Syrah, though less concentrated. Definitely a wine worth chasing.
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