Maryhill: Great Wines, Spectacular Destination

Warning: Wines from Maryhill Winery are not for the faint of heart.

However, if you prefer your wines big and bold, with complex, massive fruit flavors then Maryhill will almost certainly have something to offer. Their red wines are also sometimes made with a fairly high alcohol content and a touch of residual sugar that gives them a borderline port-like quality.

I call them a guilty pleasure.

Current releases include the 2004 Syrah (about $20), which is a bit less intense on the fruit, but still displays plenty of spicy black cherry and plum flavors. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (about $24), is outstanding, with concentrated cassis and dark berry flavors and a finish of dark chocolate.

My personal favorite is the 2005 Proprietor’s Reserve Zinfandel (about $38) which is easily the crown jewel of Maryhill. It’s incredibly plush with blackberry and ultra-ripe plum flavors followed by a lengthy, layered finish of clove and mocha. If I had to choose only one zin to take on a desert island, this could well be it.

The winery also produces several white wines and the 2006 Proprietor’s Reserve Chardonnay (about $20) is just one example. It’s fairly oaky, so if you prefer chardonnays of this type it’s certain to please. It’s also quite tropical, with pineapple flavors and touches of apple and vanilla on the finish.

A final note about Maryhill – the tasting room facility is nothing short of fantastic. Located about 100 miles east of Portland, it sits atop a hillside with serene, breathtaking views of the Columbia Gorge. Throw in a stop at the nearby Maryhill Museum and you’ve got a great getaway package. Plan to make a visit – you will not be disappointed.