Sokol Blosser, Goosepen Block Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills

Still lots of acid. Can age longer. Good fruit. Dark berry. Some cola. Sarsaparilla. Long finish but not as pleasing as others

Had two. One was bad. Other drank well

Retail $80. This was the last of four bottles that I received from the kind folks at Sokol Blosser to celebrate their 50th anniversary (happy anniversary!) over Zoom (where else?). Whoa. By most accounts, 2011 was not a monumental vintage. In fact, it was maybe, maybe, the sixth or seventh best vintage of the decade. Maybe. But if you talk to those "in-the-know" it was a "classic" Willamette Valley vintage. That means, briefly, that the wines are much more defined …

A liquid time capsule captures 2011 perfectly – and all-time classic vintage – long, cool hang time, and grapes with low sugar and high acid. Slight brick undertones back light the pale ruby robe. Acids still alert, tannins burnished with time, and tertiary notes redolent of tanned leather and smoky red fruit. Sublime.

Light but good depth. Red fruit. Hint of spice. Good acidity. Burgundy character. Well done.

This aged beautifully. Perfect Oregon Pinot.

Nose had lots of prune and fig, orange peel, meat, somewhat musty leaves. The flavor surprised us by still having a good amount of blueberry and cranberry flavors, and decent amount of acidity. Not as hot as the estate of the same year, but the alcohol is there. Very enjoyable, even if it is a little past its peak.

We opened a couple of days ago and it had a strong bite to it. We let it sit and the after taste is the typically Goosepen we expected, but is a little vinegary up front. We may have let sit a little too long.

Need to drink soon. It is no longer developing. It is a wonderful wine and we love everything about it. It is getting a little flat, though.

Love the Goosepen block, probably my favorite of Sokol Blosser's Pinot's (although love the Big Tree too). Bold, fruity, kind of spicy, might be a bit young yet but destined to be even better in a couple of years. Smells rich, earthy, delicious.

Decanted for about an hour. Beautiful blood red color, mostly clear, bigger body. Interesting nose of strawberry and just a hint of coffee and tabasco. Palate is less fruity, a little bitter, good acid, hint of pepper and a little heat, very fleshy right now but tannins are subtle. Decent finish has lots of heat on it. Good stuff, needs several years to get better.