Old McDonald Had A Farm

Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. Jay McDonald owns EIEIO & Company based in Carlton, Oregon. This year with an oink, oink, here, and an oink, oink, there, Jay made what he jokingly calls pig swill, Pinot Pig, Swine Wine, Wilbur's Reserve, Charlotte's Reserve with a nice fat hog on the label. Whether you think the label is funny or off putting, the stuff in the bottle is neither. This is delicious easy stuff with great fruit flavors and more body(get it?)and character than most Pinots in the same price range(less than $20).This wine is so good it will make you snort and squeal.

Jay does not limit himself to pig swill. In fact, he makes several vineyard designated Pinots including Broadley Vineyard, Canary Hill Vineyard - Old Block, Meredith Mitchell Vineyard, and Wind Hill Vineyard. I preferred the 2004 Wind Hill. A classic Pinot, Burgundian in style, the wine is nicely balanced, not too big, not too small, but just right. No irregularities here. It is smooth, has good cherry fruit flavors and a good mouth-feel. At about $40, the price may make you snort and squeal, although it is not out of line with other fine Oregon Pinot Noirs, the average price of which seems to have risen from my m best value pricepoint of $30 to $40. Who says inflation is contained. I guess we have to choose between a tank of gas and a bottle of Pinot Noir.