Firesteed - 1995 Awards and Reviews Pinot Noir

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1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1994 | 1992-1993

General Reviews

Firesteed 1995 Pinot Noir Awards

Gold: Pinot Noir; 1997 Indy International Wine Competition
Silver/Best Buy: 1997 World Wine Championships
Bronze; Pinot Noir $9 - $12.99;The NorthWest Wine Summit

Firesteed 1995 Pinot Noir Reviews

Firesteed is a marketing creation, as opposed to an expression of a single vineyard or even a particular winery. The idea is simple and honorable: Create an Oregon-grown Pinot Noir that tastes good, sells at a modest price and is made in generous quantity. Sounds easy, but it isn't. So far, Firesteed is the only label to pull it off.

Every Firesteed vintage is different, not only because every Oregon Pinot Noir vintage is different, but also because the wine necessarily is blended from numerous lots. The brand-new 1995 bottling is a particularly rewarding wine - in a particular style.

The 1995 Firesteed Pinot Noir might best be described as a very dark rosé. Some Pinot Noir fanciers might question the worth of a light Pinot Noir, but there's no doubt in this quarter that, when well done, it can be a great style. This wine is extremely well done. It tastes resoundingly like Pinot Noir, with a district scent of loganberries and blackberries. The acidity is refreshing. And it tastes superb when chilled. In short, it's a summer red supreme. At $8.98, this is an Oregon Pinot Noir worth hunting down.

"To get superior red, pour on the green" (sidebar) Matt Kramer, the Sunday Oregonian, August 4, 1996

1995 Firesteed Cellars Pinot Noir: Oregon is not on anybody's list as a source of boat loads of good, inexpensive wines. The reason is that the states' wine industry is tiny. Three-quarters of its 75 producing wineries make fewer than 5,000 cases a year. The largest Oregon winery would barely make it into the mid-sized category in Napa Valley.

Pinot Noir, the state's claim to fame, accounts for fewer than 3,000 acres, which is not much by any standard. In short, Oregon is not set up as a source of inexpensive wines designed to be sold in ample quantity, let alone for Pinot Noir. Yet Firesteed Cellars has carved a place for itself as a source of delicious Pinot Noir selling at unquestionably reasonable prices. Now, there is no physical place know as Firesteed Cellars. What happens is that various lots of Pinot Noir - anything from grapes to finished wines - are delivered to Flynn Vineyards, which custom-crushes and blends them.

The 1995 Firesteed Pinot Noir has recently been released. It's not as dense as the '94 (from a year which was, after all, Oregons' finest vintage); in fact, it would not be too far off the mark to describe it as a very dark rosé but its weight is deceptive, because the '95 packs a considerable punch of Pinot Noir scent and taste. This is a wine to drink young and slightly cool.

Matt Kramer, "Bottom Feeding for Value", The Los Angeles Times,

Firesteed Pinot Noir 1995: A fragrant, Oregon-grown Pinot Noir meant to be drunk young, fresh and slightly cool. Few Oregon Pinot Noirs are this good for this modest a price.

Matt Kramer, "Those recommendations to remember: Let's recap", The Oregonian, November 3, 1996.

I recently attended a tasting of 45 Oregon wines, and was underwhelmed ….However, there were two wines that I liked: Firesteed Cellars 1995 Pinot Noir; priced in the "fighting varietal" category, the wine shows true Pinot flavors and complexity. Supple, charming, soft and loaded with fruit. Not a wine that demands great concentration, but one that provides immediate gratification. Drink now to 2000. Best buy.

"Focus on Oregon" The Wine Investor/Buyers Guide, November 1996

(87) Firesteed (Or) 1995 Pinot Noir. Pale cherry with a light rim. Medium-bodied. Moderate extract, mild tannins. Earth, dark fruits. Dark, fruity, slightly Burgundian nose. Well-rounded elegant mouthfeel with a core of red fruit through to a lengthy, fruity finish. Accessible style.

"Buying Guide" The Wine Enthusiast, March 1998

"…At dinner I'm seated next to the producer of Firesteed wines: he's overjoyed because someone at the White House discovered his wine and ordered cases for a state dinner. …"

Roger J. Porter, "Pinot Envy: A celebration of wine draws international experts to Oregon", Willamette Week, August 14, 1996.

By ignoring the red wines, this gentleman was not able to savor the smoky and slightly earthy cherry flavors of the Firesteed Pinot Noir 1995, Oregon, about $10, …a credit to its grapes and a bargain to boot.

Fredric Koeppell, "Snobs miss out on some fine quaffs", the Commercial Appeal, February 12, 1997

One way to get consumers to try Pinot Noir is to find good-tasting, lower-priced renditions, especially priced less than $10. Firesteed, an Oregon Pinot retailed nationally at about $8.99, is a favorite on the premise.

Heidi Yorkshire, "Restaurant Review: Spruce in Chicago", Market Watch, March/April 1997

1995 Firesteed Pinot Noir; earthy, spicy American "Burgandy." Again, the only domestic Pinot entry under $10.

"The Top 43: Wines don't have to be expensive in order to taste expensive" Arturo Ciompi, Durham Herald Sun, October 19, 1997

1995 Firesteed Oregon Pinot Noir.. Pale strawberry, almost rosé in colour. Aromas of cherry, oak and raspberry. On the palate, strawberry and under-ripe raspberry dominate and the finish is short. Is it worth $17.00 Cnd.? Absolutely.

Jim White, "The Magic Winery", Winetidings, November 1999