Palate Press Wine of the Week: 2008 Olson Ogden Pinot Noir, Manchester Ridge

Gorgeous translucent ruby color with clear edges, pure Pinot noir, with no tell-tale purple edges hinting at Syrah in the mix. When first opened it is a full plate of heavily smoked meat, like slow-smoked pork with a perfect pink ring. After a couple of hours of decanting, though, the red fruit comes through with nuances of tiny wild strawberries, Michigan cherries, and some cranberries. It is all shot through with a healthy dose of smoke (more mesquite than hickory), and a bit of the aforementioned BBQ pork, but far milder than when first opened. The finish is long. This is very good wine and a terrific bargain. Good luck finding it, though. Only 155 cases were made.

2008 Olson Ogden Persuasion – North Coast, California

Very fruit-forward with mixed black and red fruit, mulberry and sweet cherry, with leathery tannins and a little black pepper. It is smooth, slightly sweet, a little young, and one-dimensional. There are no changes from attack to mid-palate and the finish drops off quickly.

2008 Olson Ogden Pinot Noir, Manchester Ridge Vineyard – Mendocino

Gorgeous translucent ruby color with clear edges, pure Pinot noir, with no tell-tale purple edges hinting at Syrah in the mix. When first opened it is a full plate of heavily smoked meat, like slow-smoked pork with a perfect pink ring. After a couple of hours of decanting, though, the red fruit comes through with nuances of tiny wild strawberries, Michigan cherries, and some cranberries. It is all shot through with a healthy dose of smoke (more mesquite than hickory), and a bit of the aforementioned BBQ pork, but far milder than when first opened. The finish is long. This is very good wine and a terrific bargain. Good luck finding it, though. Only 155 cases were made.

Palate Press’ First Grand Tasting

For Palate Press: The online wine magazine’s first grand tasting, we collected sixty different wines and a group of wine bloggers and wine professionals …

Olson Ogden Pinot Noir 2007, Sonoma Coast

A well-balanced medium-bodied Pinot Noir showing mixed red fruit, sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb, sage, a bit of raisin, with dusty tannins and a long finish. This is a very good catch-all match for al but the heaviest foods.

Olson Ogden Syrah 2007

A smoky, full-bodied wine leading with dusty red fruit, followed by tar and tannins that still seem rather tight. This is sure to benefit from time in the cellar or a well-marbled steak.

2007 Olson Ogden Pinot Noir

The nose opens with lovely Pinot Noir aromas of red fruit, strawberries and cherry stones, with some sage, all with a light dusting of white pepper. The red fruits, sage, and a background of licorice grow from attack to finish, all with a silky mouth feel, but tannins just tight enough to offer promise with [...]

2007 Olson Ogden Syrah Stagecoach Vineyard

This is a powerful, well-balanced wine. Big dark fruit is countered by flavors of cooked meat and spice, the crisp end of a prime rib rubbed with black pepper and a touch of rosemary. Tannins are smooth but very firm. This is begging for time in the cellar, or a thick end cut of that [...]