Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir 2005

The aroma is tumescent with blueberry fruit. Blended with this wonderful robust blue fruit one can find Moroccan spices, a hint of butterscotch, and a sense of gravelly earthiness.

As the aroma implies and promises, the flavor is concentrated blueberry and blackberry juice, which aids integration of nice spice flavored French oak. The palate is rich, creamy, and super juicy.

This whopper of a wine seems to have everything. Rocky earthiness, black forest cake, and a surprise raspberry to red cherry flavor in the long finish.

"The Nuthouse cuvee is released a year behind the other Pinots. The 2005 Pinot Noir Nuthouse is one of the major successes of a challenging vintage. It has a slightly aged appearance and is exhibiting an alluring perfume of spice, red fruits, and blueberry. On the mid-palate it has a wide band of fruit atypical for 2005. It has the structure of the vintage so it may well evolve for 4-5 years and drink well through 2020. It is a home run for the vintage.

While the focus of this report is on 2006 Pinot Noir, it is undeniable that Argyle Winery is producing among the best sparkling wines made in the USA and they cannot be ignored. Argyle is also the hangout of veteran vigneron Rollin Soles who knows as well as anyone what's happening in the Oregon wine scene. Argyle's Pinot Noirs have a bit more competition than the Sparkling Wines but they have been up to the challenge for quite some time."
Wine Advocate