Rivers Edge Winery  
 
I was totally blown away by this little winery. I am guessing they are not making more than about 2000 cases and of the wines I tasted I would take any home by the case gladly. If this winery could increase production and distribution I think they could take the state by storm.  
 
You can view Rivers Edge Winery on our new touring guide:  
http://www.oregonwines.com/touringguide/regionzoom.php?RegionID=3&x=116&y=64  
 
Wine: Pinot Gris  
Year: 2002  
Price: 14  
Aroma: nice solid fruit  
Taste: crisp, smooth, lemon  
Wine level/Wine Value: 8/9  
My Comments: This was my personal favorite Pinot Gris of the Umpqua wineries I visited. I am not sure on the volume produced or the distribution range but if you are a Pinot Gris fan get a bottle of this and enjoy one the best ones I have enjoyed in the state.  
 
Wine: Gewurztraminer  
Year: 2001  
Price: 11  
Aroma: soapy, floral  
Taste: Crisp, Metallic finish, balanced, medium body, medium finish  
Wine level/Wine Value: 8/8  
My Comments: This wine is made in the dry style. The soapy aroma caught me off guard, if this was the first wine I might have guessed a little soap left over from the glasses being cleaned. Regardless of the aroma, this was still taste-wise a very good wine.  
 
Wine: Umpqua Valley Pinot Noir  
Year: 2001  
Price: 16  
Aroma: Rose, meaty  
Taste: Cranberry, cherry, raspberry, big fruit, medium body, medium finish  
Wine level/Wine Value: 8/9  
My Comments: What a great Pinot Noir, it had for me all the things I like, a nice complex aroma, strong but not overpowering fruit currants in the mouth and some tannins for structure.  
 
 
 
Wine: Bradley Pinot Noir  
Year: 2000  
Price: 18  
Aroma: big, floral  
Taste: Full body, big taste, long finish  
Wine level/Wine Value: 9/9  
My Comments: I am not sure where Rivers Edge has been hiding but this little winery is making great wines. I really like this Pinot Noir and it is not the tannin monster or the fruit bomb some are making. It is right in between and that made it a really great wine. This is a must buy for Pinot Noir drinkers.  
 
Wine: Umpqua Valley Reserve Pinot Noir  
Year: 1998  
Price: 24  
Aroma: musty, raisin, rose  
Taste: woody, tart, light berry, long finish, medium body  
Wine level/Wine Value: 7/7  
My Comments: I hate to say it but I think the previous Pinot Noirs set this one up for failure. I saw the word Reserve and thought this will be even better. If I take out my expectations this wine was very good.  
 
Wine: Late Harvest Gewurztraminer  
Year: 2000  
Price: 11  
Aroma: Sweet, tinny  
Taste: sweet, pear, apricot  
Wine level/Wine Value: 8/8  
My Comments: Very surprised by the taste, I smelled the tin on the nose but not found in the wine. Not a syrupy wine like some late harvest wines.  
 
Wine Level and Wine Value rankings defined:  
 
The Wine Level/Wine Value numbers are on a ten point scale, 10 being the best possible score.  
 
Wine Level is the rank of wine with no regard to price.  
 
The Wine Value number is the ranking taking price into consideration. If the Wine Value is lower then Wine Level it usually means I feel the price is high, if the Wine Value is higher then I feel the wine is a great deal. If they are the same then it is priced where it should be.