Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Tasting at Wine Spectrum Bar and Shop

It's always fantastic when you get a chance to try some of the best pinots out of Oregon, it's even better when the maestro of Pacific Northwest pinot is there to discuss them with you...
Ken Wright is legendary for his work with both Panther Creek and Domaine Serene before he started his self-named label, where he has taken the concept of site specific pinot noir to a new level, offering eleven single vineyard pinots from all over the state. We had a chance to taste five of the pinots, plus two new wines from his Tyrus Evan line (named for his two sons, this is the label he uses for "non-pinot" wines), a syrah and a claret.
The wines were tremendous as I have come to expect, showing balance and elegance without lacking depth or purity of fruit. I don't think anyone in Oregon is as dialed in as Ken is right now.

1) Ken Wright "Nysa" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2005
The brightest and most acidic of the bunch, the Nysa shows super intense sour cherry and blackberry fruit with hints of baking spice and pepper. This begs for roasted duck with some sweetness. Juicy and fun. $55 at retail
90 points

2) Ken Wright "Savoya" Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2005
The Savoya is the first vineyard actually owned by Ken Wright. Planted in 1999 to 777 and 115 Dijon clones, the Savoya shows loads of richness and intensity for such a young vineyard. Dark fruit and spicy cola tones dominate the nose, and it develops some hints of clove and anise as it begins to open. Lingering finish with hints of cedar and smoke. Very intense and dramatic! Less than 300 cases produced. $55 at retail
91 points

3) Ken Wright "Guadalupe" Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2005
There are 400 cases of the "Guadalupe" Pinot this year, but really, is there ever enough. The Guadalupe is a great example of Ken's ability to allow the vineyard to make the wine. This wine literally reeks of its place... Black cherry and strawberry on the nose with massive earth and spicy cocoa/coffee tones. Fat and exotic on the palate with a mountain of dusty, earthy dark fruit. $55 at retail
92 points

4) Ken Wright "Carter" Amity-Eola Hills Pinot Noir 2005
My favorite of the bunch, the Carter was unusually open and lively right from the start (this vineyard usually rewards patience...). Still big and earthy with Bright cherry fruit and scents of fresh loam and smoky tobacco. Truly massive on the palate, rich, viscous and intense with a minute long finish with hints of anise, black pepper, coffee and cocoa. Made me want some duck confit... $55 at retail.
93 points

5) Ken Wright "Shea" Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2005
Powerful, spicy and intense, the Shea vineyard is one of Oregon's best known pinot sites and in the hands of Ken Wright, the potential is truly fulfilled. Exotic and lively on the nose, the aromatics shifted with each swirl of the glass. Shifting from cherry to black and blueberry, and from earth and mushroom to musk and spice. Typically dense and rich on the palate, with loads of fruit and earthy spice on the finish. This will certainly reward patience over the next few years. $55 at retail
91 points
Cheers
TRC