I am not a big fan of Oregon Pinot gris, as most seem monochromatic to me. I rarely buy it, opting instead for more interesting white varieties from the state such as Chardonnay and Riesling. My subjective palate even finds Pinot blanc more intriguing than most Pinot gris. The Biggio Hamina 2009 Pinot Grigio Cougar's Mark Vineyard Willamette Valley (12.9%) is an exception and enough of a standout that I would definitely buy more of this $17 wine. In the glass, this wine was a clear, light straw color, providing tropical notes of melon and pineapple combined with mineral scents...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:04 PM | Permalink

A while back, we had the pleasure of hosting Todd Hamina to dinner at my home while he was visiting Seattle. Todd brought over several of his 2008 vineyard designate pinot noirs to open with our meal of chicken cacciatore, which Kari crafted in her magical red Le Creuset. What a terrific occasion it was having Todd join us at our table to enjoy his recent releases while getting to know more about him, his family, and his path to becoming a winemaker (see this OWP article for a more detailed profile). Starting with his inaugural 2007 pinots, I...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:09 PM | Permalink

In early November, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Todd Hamina tasting thru a variety of his 2007 and 2008 releases. As a result of my visit, I brought home a mixed case of his vineyard designate '07s along with a few '08s that I promised not to open for a few months. While the 2008s lie still in my cellar, I am starting to open some of the 2007s at my dinner table. The Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Noir Ana Vineyard Dundee Hills (12.5%) made quite a statement the other night during dinner. In fact, I...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:43 PM | Permalink

After so much similar tasting Oregon pinot noir these last few weeks, the Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (12.5%) was a welcome and delicious departure in style and substance. As mentioned in yesterday's post, I was eager to finish off Round 2 of the 2007 Oregon pinots and move on to something else due to many of these wines starting to blend together due to their similarities. I had yet to realize what this last wine would afford in terms of its contrast with the other 17 bottles in this round. The Biggio Hamina was unique from...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This delicious Oregon pinot blanc was a light yellow straw color in the glass, offering scents of pineapple and melon with a light, crisp taste that showed mostly mineral flavors with modest tropical fruit. The Biggio Hamina had moderate acidity throughout ending in a clean finish. The Biggio Hamina 2007 Pinot Blanc Yamhill Valley Vineyard McMinnville (13.5%) was paired with chicken teriyaki (thigh meat only) on a bed of steamed rice accompanied by stir-fried red peppers and sugar snap peas garnished with toasted sesame seeds. I enjoyed this food friendly wine, especially the mineral characteristics combined with modest fruit,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)