Pinot Noir - Oregon

Awards and Reviews

2009 Pinot Noir

Gold Medal - 2011 Northwest Wine Summit
Silver Medal - 2011 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Silver Medal - 2011 Oregon Wine Awards
Bronze Medal - 2011 San Francisco International Wine Competition

2008 Pinot Noir

88 points – Wine Spectator

“Silky, with pretty raspberry, root beer and floral flavors riding easily through a fine, delicate frame.”
91 points / Exceptional – Beverage Testing Institute

“Deep ruby color. Interesting aromas of buttery caramel corn and lingonberry tart follow on a soft, silky entry to a fruity medium body with creamy pudding and cranberry notes. Finishes with tangy, juicy, tart berry and cocoa powder fade. An appetizing pinot.”
Outstanding – Wine Press Northwest, Spring 2010 issue

“Pleasing as punch might best describe the style of this bottling by one of Oregon's largest producers. The Fries family loaded it up with sweet berries and cherry aromas while including apricot, peach, cinnamon, Graham cracker and some vanilla notes. They show in full force on the palate in a fruit-forward, light and juicy style that includes cherry cola and racy acidity to balance the perception of sweetness.”
Recommended / Good Value – Northwest Palate, May/June 2010

“Initially smoky notes of barrel and spice soon diminish, making way for berry scents to move to the fore. Light on the palate, polished flavors of cherry and strawberry are full and focused, while aromatic tones of rose petals swirl. Fine-grained and round tannins contribute to the silky texture and help sustain the fruit on the medium-length finish. Perfect for baked salmon in sorrel sauce.”
Best Oregon Pinot Noir – 2010 Northwest Wine Summit
Double Gold – 2010 Oregon Wine Awards
Silver Medal - 2011 Pinot Noir Summit
Silver Medal - 2011 Oregon Wine, Food & Brew Festival
Silver Medal – 2010 San Diego Winemaker Challenge
Silver Medal – 2010 US Professional Wine Buyers Competition
Bronze Medal – 2010 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Bronze Medal – 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Bronze Medal - San Francisco International Wine Competition
Bronze Medal - 2010 West Coast Wine Competition
Bronze Medal – 2010 NextGen Winemaker Wine Competition
Bronze Medal – 2010 Sisters Wine & Brew Festival
Fourth place: Pinot Noir - Ray's Boathouse 23rd Annual Retrospective of Northwest Wines

2006 Pinot Noir

90 points/Gold Medal - Beverage Testing Institute 2009
"Dark chocolate, toasty cedar, and black cherry puree aromas follow through on a supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with tangy fruit and a touch of wood spice on the zippy finish. An awesome choice for spicy duck dishes."
Silver Medal - 2009 Oregon Wine Awards
86 points/Highly Recommended - 2008 World Wine Championships
"Deep ruby color with a violet cast. Chocolate drizzled strawberries, cranberries, and nuts and pomegranate jelly aromas follow through on a crisp, round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with a touch of slate, lime and green apple. Finishes with a graphite and tart berry-driven fade."
Gold Medal - 2008 Women's Wine Competition
Excellent - Wine Press Northwest, Spring 2008
"Known for producing good quality and modest prices, the Dundee, Ore. winery continues that trend, nearly pushing its way into outstanding category. More than 90% of the grapes come from two Duck Pond estate vineyards, which gives the winery great control over quality. This opens with aromas of Rainier cherries, strawberries and cloves, which give way to bright, rich flavors of bright red fruit backed by plentiful acidity."

2005 Pinot Noir

Recommended - Northwest Palate, September/October 2006
"Soft smells of smoke, tea, and toast introduce flavors of dried cherry and strawberry in a simple yet pleasing quaffing-style wine. At its best with light foods, serve this Pinot with plates of salami and country pate."
86 points - Wine Spectator, December 15, 2006
"Light and gentle in structure, with pretty red plum and earthy spice flavors that linger against crisp tannins. Drink now through 2010."

2003 Pinot Noir

Bronze Medal - Lone Star International Wine Competition 2004
Bronze Medal - International Eastern Wine Competition 2004

2002 Pinot Noir

86 points/Best Buy - Wine Enthusiast, December 2003
"Inexpensive Oregon Pinot is a rare commodity, and this delivers the flavor goods. Cherries and toast are the main components, with some pretty tough tannins on the back end."
85-90 points, Tacoma News Tribune, November 2003
"Displaying ripe red cherries and sweet oak on the nose and in the mouth, this wine is always an honest value in pinot noir. Lightly styled for near-term consumption, the wine is a good match for fish such as grilled halibut."
85 points/Best Value - Wine Spectator, December 31, 2003
"Light, fresh and appealing for its strawberry and raspberry fruit, which lingers on the tangy finish. Drink now."
Silver Medal - Northwest Wine Summit 2004
Silver Medal - Amenti del Vino International Wine Competition 2003
Bronze Medal - Seattle Enological Society Wine Awards 2003