2006 Crowley Entre Nous Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 150 cases, $27 (available from Storyteller Wine Company (www.storytellerwine.com) for $24 a six pack). Proprietor and winemaker Tyson Crowley is a New York transplant who spent 12 years learning his trade at Erath Vineyards, Cameron Winery, J.K. Carriere, Archery Summit and Brick House. 75% Dundee Hills fruit from La Colina Vineyard (Wädenswil) and 25% Ribbon Ridge fruit (Pommard). Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. Second vintage of Pinot Noir for this producer. · Prominent scent of black raspberries with a nice touch of smoky oak. Dark fruited and full-bodied with a hint of dark chocolate and charcoal. The darker side of Pinot Noir, almost Syrah-like, but never crosses the line. Wellcrafted and typical of many Pinot Noirs from the 2006 vintage in Oregon. You can almost make a meal out of this one. Reviewed March 26, 2009

Winery: Crowley Wines
From article: Rece$$ion Busters