Small Sips of More Pinot

2007 Westrey Wine Company Justice Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.,$27. From Bethel Heights’ Estate Justice Vineyard. · he nose is shy on fruit, emphasizing grass, hay, and oak. Demure wood-kissed red fruits on the silky attack. A very light and feminine Pinot Noir with ample acidity and gossamer tannins that will allow it to perform well at the dinner table.

2007 Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.,1,300 cases, $32. Composed of the best barrels from multiple vineyards. Aged 10 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Don and Jesse Lange are the winemakers. · Red-fruited nose with compliments of seasoned oak and herbs echoed in the flavors. Juicy with lively acidity and moderate fine grain tannins. Much better when tasted the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Short-term cellaring is advised.

2006 Carabella Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 1,800 cases, $39. From six blocks of the Carabella Vineyard planted to Dijon, Pommard and Wädenswil clones. · Demure aromas of red plums, cherries, minerals and exotic spice. Silky entry of tasty raspberry and strawberry fruits which are vivid and pleasing. Admirable grip on the clean finish. Very easy to like and immensely satisfying. Drink this one while you wait for the Inchinnan to develop.

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Nicholas Estate Reserve Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., $45. Blended from ten select barrels in the cellar. · Very fragrant berry fruit with a hint of toasted oak. Dark garnet color. Delicious black raspberry and blackberry core of fruit that dances and cascades smoothly through the palate. A touch of anise, tea and oak adds interest. A big wine with glassfilling presence that leaves a little heat on the back end.

2006 Carabella Inchinnan Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., 250 cases, $54. The Carabella Vineyard is part of the Inchinnan Farm, the hazelnut orchard still owned by the McDonald family and this cuvée honors the McDonald’s support. Seven blocks of Pinot Noir fermented separately. Dijon 114 and 115, Pommard and Wädenswil clones. The winemaker is Mike Hallock. · This wine needs plenty of time to open up and I would recommend decanting if you want to pop the cork now. Shy raspberry fruit nicely oaked on the nose. Richly layered berry and dark stone fruits with riffs of earth and meat. Smoothly textured and harmonious with good integration of the alcohol. The wine keeps opening and opening, teasing and seducing the drinker slowly. A fine waltz.