Northwest Palate, May/June 2005
(Three Clusters - Exceptional) - Viento
2002 Syrah, Cuvee R, Columbia Valley, WA.
Aromas of pepper, graham, violets and blueberry. Focused, persistent flavors of plum, blueberry, violets, and citrus. Hints of jam and toast in the clean, peppery finish. Mouthfilling, polished, and impeccably balanced; cellar up to 5 years, or serve now with rib eye roast. Good value. (355 cases made.) $20 (Northwest Palate also listed this wine as a "Vintage Value.")
(Two clusters - Highly Recommended) - Viento
1999 Nocturne, Muscat Canelli Dessert Wine, Columbia Valley, WA.
Sweet. Extremely complex floral- and pear-scented aromas develop and change in the glass, from a Madeira-like nose of baked apple/toffee and toasty oak to single-malt scotch impressions of peat smoke. At once vibrant and sweet on the palate, with buttery flavors of crème brûlée, dried peach, and hazelnuts. Unusual and interesting; serve this after a meal and enjoy for its evolving nuances; pair with Stilton and walnuts. (90 cases made; barrel-fermented, fortified, and aged five years in older French oak barrels. 19.8% alcohol, 14.2% residual sugar.) $30/375 mL.
(One Cluster - Recommended) - Viento
2004 Viognier, Lonesome Spring Ranch, Columbia Valley, WA
Intensely perfumed aromas of talc, peach, and citrus blossom. Focused, ripe flavors of peach and melon. Round and oily on the palate, with light spice in the finish. Pair with monkfish in a garlic cream sauce. (330 cases made.) $18.
Northwest Wine Summit, Timberline Lodge, OR.
Gold Medal – 2004 Sangiovese Rose
Silver Medal – 2003 Sangiovese
Silver Medal – 1999 Nocturne
Riesling Report - May-June 2002 www.rieslingreport.com
A third promising voice for Oregon Riesling is Rich Cushman, who has been making wines here for over 20 years. Having worked for numerous wineries as a consultant over the years, Cushman recently launched his own Viento label. He is producing a few hundred cases of a very pretty Riesling from a vineyard he planted in the Columbia Gorge back in 1981. He had spent the previous year working at Bürklin-Wolf in Germany's Pfalz region and came home with Riesling on the brain, so he immediately planted a few acres of vines. The 2001 Columbia Gorge Vineyard Riesling has very bright apple and citrus fruit and a tingly texture. It just needs a bit more concentration to make it more expansive on the palate.
McMinnville Wine & Food Classic, March 2002
Northwest Wine Summit, May 2002
Oregon State Fair, August 2002
Recent Reviews & Awards
Northwest Palate
July/August 2002
Viento 2001 Viognier, Lonesome Spring Ranch - Two clusters (Highly Recommended). Grapefruit, peach, and talc in the nose. Bright, crisp flavors of peach and apricot; well balanced into a long finish. Serve with grilled swordfish.
Viento 2000 Syrah, Alder Ridge Vineyard - One cluster (Recommended). Dark garnet color. Bright citrusy aroma of berry fruit. Mouthfilling, juicy flavors of plum and berry. Well balanced with a long plum fruit finish. Try with lamb brochettes.
May/ June 2002
Viento 1999 Sangiovese Walla Walla Valley, WA - Two clusters (Highly Recommended). Garnet color. Floral, rose-petal nose with hints of anise and cedar. Spicy and toasty on the palate, with ripe tannins and vanilla in the finish. Bright and juicy; serve with pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin.
The Wine Iconoclast - April 2002
Viento, 1999 Cuvée R Pinot Noir, $24. The first, and probably last, Pinot from Viento. May as well make it a classic. Light red hue, pretty cherry/rose-petal nose. Deep, fine, soft, luscious fruit. Firm tannins. A beautiful Oregon Pinot!
Statesman Journal - Between the Vines, Robert Mayfield 4/11/02
Viento, 1999 Cuvée R Pinot Noir. Classic Oregon pinot noir. Beautiful aromas of dried rose petal and cherry give way to soft, luscious fruit, nice firm tannins. Highly recommended.
Viento, 1999 Walla Walla Valley Sangiovese. The main grape of Chianti, this red wine offers spicy, berry aromas, with cherry to plum flavors. A nice lean texture makes this a good food wine, say, with spaghetti and meatballs. Highly recommended.
Statesman Journal - Between the Vines, Robert Mayfield 6/6/02
Viento, 2001 Lonesome Spring Ranch Viognier, $20. I've already quoted winemaker Rich Cushman as saying this is one of the best white wines he's ever been around, and I concur. Oodles of fruit, peaches and herbs (wait, isn't that an R&B group?), silky texture, an absolute delight.
We can be reached at 503-434-9587 or email.
Viento - Recent Reviews
Viento - Previous Reviews
Recommended Oregon Wineries (1 of only 3 producers recommended)
Viento - 2001 Columbia Gorge Vineyard Riesling
2001 Viognier - Gold Medal
1999 Pinot Noir - Bronze Medal
2001 Viognier - Silver Medal
1999 Pinot Noir - Silver Medal
2000 Syrah, Alder Ridge - Silver Medal
2000 Syrah, Alder Ridge - Silver Medal
2001 Viognier - Bronze Medal
2001 Riesling - Bronze Medal
This page is optimized for IE 5.0 and above and is best displayed at 1024 by 768.