My two-day Pork Chop marinade. I have found the Long Shadows Poet Leap to be the perfect pairing.
Here is the recipe. Try it sometime.
4-6 thick cut bone-in pork chops
- 1 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of Tamari soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 2 scallions chopped
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of Lee Kim Kee brand chili sauce
-1 1/2 teaspoons of ginger finely chopped (I triple this)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic finely chopped (again.
I double this)
- 3/4 cup of cilantro finely chopped (no stems)
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
— 8 months ago
Big red fruit, currants, stewed strawberries, so ripe but not overripe, like you put it in a pie, but still has the acid to hold up, cherry, like a chocolate cherry that's articificial but you just love the nostalgia and flavor. A little bit of leather on it but so beautiful. Really loving this wine, it's perfect with a steak and just keeps opening and getting more beautiful with each sip! — 3 years ago
Color - burnt red with some bricking and a bit cloudy—a savory look indeed! Nose - dark deep cherry, smoked meat, pencil lead, gravel and notes of mint, cream cassis vanilla and with a subtle funky spice at the tail end giving much character to the wine. Taste definitely does not disappoint—an immediate creamy feel and dark cherry, savory, spice initially hits the pallet followed by cocoa, graphite and a smoke like aged vanilla long finish. Dusty tannins linger long after each taste. Loving it!! — 5 years ago

Winderlea – Pinot Noir – 2021
Dundee Hills AVA – Willamette Valley, Oregon 🇺🇸
Overview
An elegant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills, sourced from vineyards planted in the 1970s on the region’s hallmark volcanic Jory soils. Known for finesse and purity, Winderlea delivers a beautifully balanced expression of Pinot that showcases the red-fruited, spice-laced personality that defines classic Dundee Hills.
Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, wild raspberry, and cranberry purity, supported by notes of rose petal, subtle baking spice, and a whisper of forest floor. Nothing jammy, everything is lifted, clean, and precise.
Mouthfeel
Ultra-silky tannins with a soft, seamless texture. High, clean acidity keeps the wine energetic, refreshing, and food-loving. The finish is long, elegant, and gently spiced.
Food Pairings
The ultimate fondue Pinot: the wine’s acidity cuts through melted cheese, while its soft tannins and red-fruit delicacy elevate Gruyère, Emmental, raclette, or alpine-style cheeses. Also wonderful with mushroom dishes, roasted poultry, charcuterie boards, or herbed salmon.
Verdict
A benchmark Dundee Hills Pinot, refined, understated, and deeply expressive. Its purity of fruit, silky frame, and signature volcanic spice make it one of the most fondue-friendly reds in the game. A true pleasure to drink.
Did You Know?
Dundee Hills’ iconic red Jory soils, ancient volcanic ash, are famous for imprinting Pinot with subtle cinnamon-clove spice and a natural roundness. Many of Oregon’s pioneering vineyards were planted here in the 1970s specifically for these qualities.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: My go-to Pinot Noir for fondue night, nothing pairs better with alpine cheese than Dundee Hills elegance. — 4 months ago
Pale orange; earthy, orange peel, vanilla; sour orange, white flower, vanilla bean; long tart finish — a year ago
I always have two wines to pair with an entree. Like variety. This has a beautiful herbal quality in it that pairs nicely as a follow up wine to my pork chop.
Here is the recipe. Try it sometime.
4-6 thick cut bone-in pork chops
- 1 cup hoisin sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of Tamari soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 2 scallions chopped
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of Lee Kim Kee brand chili sauce
-1 1/2 teaspoons of ginger (I triple this)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic (again.
I double this)
- 3/4 cup of cilantro (no stems)
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil — 8 months ago
Yeah, from a plastic cup. This is absolutely singing and showing zero signs of aging. Textured, layered and tannic. Nice espresso notes give way to black cherries and pure cassis. From magnum. — 9 months ago
Tom Casagrande
Gorgeously honeyed nose. Loving the day and loving this. — a month ago