Each Friday we highlight a wine from the Northwest that we think is a real "find." By find we might mean that it's a steal, as all of these wines we'll feature weekly are under $20. We might also mean "Hey, you really need to go find this" and it might be a wine that we feel not enough people know about. In any case, with the weekend pending we're hoping to help you "find" a wine to kickoff the weekend right. We'll tell you a little bit about the wine and try to help you track it down here in the Northwest.
In 1927 the state of Oregon selected the Western Meadowlark as it's state bird. This selection was made by a popular vote of Oregon school children and solidified by Governor I.L. Patterson. What seemed like an innocuous move at the time would come to later have huge ramifications for Harlem Globetrotter and Scooby Doo fans. Meadow "Meadowlark" Lemon went on to become the unquestionable leader and if often known as the "Clown Prince" of the legendary basketball team that thumped the Washington Generals over 13,000 times. Meadowlark Lemon played 16,000 games for the Harlem Globetrotters and in Episode 12 of Season 1 of Scooby Doo that aired in 1972 he played the undeniable voice of reason as the regulars of the Mystery Machine and the Lemon led Globetrotters went up against the 'The Ghostly Creep From the Deep.'
The Western Meadowlark also graces the labels of Yamhill Valley Vineyards wines. The winery located just outside of McMinnville produces a flock of wines in the under $20 neighborhood. While the labels are a bit folksy for me the wines are a very good value.
The 2008 Pinot Blanc is done in neutral oak and the rounded mouth-feel compliments the fruit forward nature of this varietal well. Aromatics of floral and dried herbal notes bring on a palate of savory notes and stone fruit characteristics. $16
The 2009 Riesling is a sweet one but it's acidity gives it great balance classic stone fruit aromatics of peaches and mouthfuls of sweet nectarine, the acidity carries the flavors toward pear and green apple. Brilliant food wine. $18
The 2008 Pinot Noir was a signature Oregon Pinot, loads up on blackberry, earth and spice on the aromatics and delivers classically fresh fruit across the palate, brambleberries, cherries and a touch of cola spice take us to the finish. Nice acidity and freshness make this the bargain of the bunch. $20
1 year ago
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