Owen Roe Kilmore Pinot noir 2010

Review:

A real wow-er. Owen Roe's top ranked, biggest baddest Oregon Pinot noir.

All of Owen Roe's trademark rich, big style contained in a framework of classic Pinot noir. A shout-out to the best California Pinots in its combination of full bodied fruit and oak balanced with a commitment to the restraint and berry-driven flavors of Oregon Pinot noir.

The 2010 is David O'Reilly quality plus. Sophisticated and thoughtfully crafted, it's the most perfect Kilmore Pinot noir he's made since his unforgettable 2005.

The nose is positively redolent of red raspberries, soft vanilla toast and a hint of roses. It's a rich, succulent wine, but true to the hallmarks of Oregon. Think of fresh raspberries and blackberries picked off the vine on a hot summer day. There's a silky smooth texture, and a strong tannic backbone that's an essential characteristic of classic Pinot noir.

I don't know whether to cellar the 2010 Kilmore (3-6 years) or serve my entire stash to friends next month. We're celebrating, And the Kilmore will get the party off with a bang. - Jean

2009 Vintage Tasting Notes

The 09 Kilmore packs a wallop of red berries shaded by white pepper. There's a super-rich texture and as much as I don't like this word in wine descriptions, "hedonistic" is a fitting description.

2008 Vintage Tasting Notes

The Owen Roe Pinot noir meets the storied 2008 vintage, falls in love, and makes beautifully balanced and drinkable Pinot. Lush and silky black cherries and berries weave with violets, roasted coffee and dried herbs. There's no stopping the fruit on the 08 Kilmore - it keeps percolating juiciness. Highly recommended. - Avalon

2008 Wine Spectator - 93 points - Ripe, round, generous and spicy, brimming with plum, blackberry and currant fruit surrounded by hints of white pepper and clove. The tannins have a light bite, but the finish just keeps preening. Drink now through 2020. 650 cases made. - H.S.

This Kilmore Pinot Noir is a blend of Pommard, Wadensvil, and Dijon clone Pinot Noir from exceptional vineyard sites in the Yamhill-Carlton District. Each site has distinct ocean bottom soils, and little summer moisture forcing low vigor and small, intensely flavored berries. The 2008 Kilmore is lush with rich fragrant violet perfume, black fruit and coffee notes on the palate. - the winery

2006 Vintage Tasting Notes

Owen Roe's Kilmore Pinot noir is muscular, with a finish that hangs on for minutes. Aromas of baking spices and dried flowers mesh with gushing blackberry, black cherry, and marionberry flavors. Silky and fat on the palate, with fine tannins appearing on the finish. The finish seems to echo forever with pure, ripe fruit and cinnamon spice.

Named for the old abbey on the O'Reilly clan's land in Ireland, on Trinity Island. The label is a handpulled etching of a photo of one of the Romanesque arches in the ruins of the Abbey. Very limited.

2006 International Wine Cellar - 90 points - Deep red. Powerfully scented nose offers ripe dark berries and cherry along with candied licorice and oak spices. Deeply concentrated and velvety, with sweet blackberry and kirsch flavors dominating. An undeniably impressive pinot in the outsized, sweet school, with serious finishing thrust and cling. I'd serve this with a smoky, peppery grilled hunk of red meat."

2005 Vintage Tasting Notes

A huge, intense nose full of dark plum, sweet nutmeg, cedar, and burnt hazelnut shell just sets the tone for this 2005 vintage rich yet beautifully balanced wine. Violets, rose, fresh herbs, white pepper, and nutmeg linger in the background. Flavors are of ripe blackberry, black currant, black cherry, and hints of creamy vanilla bookending the fruit flavors. Sweet spice and cedar are pervasive throughout, particularly in the long, layered finish.

The balance in this wine is impressive, with fresh, lively flavors with perfectly integrated acidity matched to tannins that promise cellaring but never intrude. The long finish of red raspberry, red cherry, and spice refreshes and suggests this wine will go well with a wide range of foods.

The Kilmore Pinot is made from grapes from Cummins Ridge and Lenne Vineyards, both in the Yamill-Carlton appellation. Unfortunately, it's very, very limited. -jy