Panther Creek News

What was considered by most to be a hallmark vintage, 2012 in Oregon was the calm which came after the storm of the cold and challenging 2011 vintage. Talking with winemaker Tony Rynders, he mentioned how these wines needed a bit of time to fully evolve into something special. I noticed that when I tried these upon release, that many of the 2012 Oregon Pinot Noirs were quite reticent both with their aromas and flavors. The wines had the stuffing and potential, but many just needed time to evolve.  

Every week in Let’s Eat our wine writer, Gail Appleson, looks at two wines available in the St. Louis area. Here are some of the reds she has recently reviewed.  

NO! The last of my Panther Creek stash! Ah well, it was much appreciated and much loved as this wine was opened for (one of) my anniversary dinners.panther creek reserve pinot noir. About the Wine: The Panther Creek 2016 Reserve Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes harvested from the winery’s estate vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.  

One of the historic Oregon wineries, Panther Creek was originally founded by famed winemaker Ken Wright in 1986. He gained national attention for his wines sourced from the Freedom Hill and Shea Vineyards. In 1994 Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent fame took over as consulting winemaker and produced some marvelous wines until he focused his talents on his own winery. The winery was acquired by Bacchus Capital in 2013 which led to the appointment of superstar winemaker Tony Rynders as consulting winemaker.  

Pinot Noir with Copper River Salmon – Part 2 Little Tidbits about Pinot Noir Pinot Noir is a hard grape to grow, and it is a hard wine to make well. It is often too “weak” for Cabernet lovers to enjoy with their steaks, but it rewards subtle foods and preparations with complexity, good acidity and balance. It is the favorite red wine of mature and experienced wine tasters – especially with salmon!  

Are you following along on my exploration of the Willamette Valley via Panther Creek Cellars? If not, check out these single-vineyard offerings from Kalita, Schindler, and De Ponte vineyards.  

Today we’re taking a venture over to the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of the greater Willamette Valley, Oregon. Another beautiful Pinot Noir from Panther Creek and—sorry, no—this one does not come with a slice of pizza. (Though, it totally could.)  

Pinot Noir from Willamette is old news now. I know. And yet when you’re craving that style—aroma, flavor, texture—there really is nothing else like it. ’m not saying it’s better than RRV or Mendo, just different. And when you can get the distinction across several different single-vineyards, so much the better to explore the terroir of the Willamette via wine. Over the next few weeks I’ll be featuring various single-vineyard offerings from Panther Creek.  

I am on a Chardonnay kick. Wait. Let me edit that. I am on a QUALITY Chardonnay kick. As in, recently, I threw out 3 bottles of Chardonnay after the first sip because they are still adhering to the old-new world expression: over-oaked, buttery spread.  

When magazines write about wines for holidays, it makes us over here at beg the question: which holidays exactly? The crazy running around holidays? The endless papercuts from wrapping unshapely gifts holidays? The celebrate with work friends holidays? Or the sit at home and watch movies with the family holidays? Because they’re all very different, and so too are the wines that suit them. With the help of our friends at , we’ve compiled 10 holiday wines that actually cover all the aforementioned bases, and more.