Ten very nice OR Pinots...

[Bucko]

2004 Belle Pente, Pinot Noir, Estate Reserve, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $38. This is already bricking in the color, so I don’t think this is a long ager at all. That said the wine has a lovely nose of earthy black fruit, with nice palate feel and lovely balance; 88/88.

2005 Bergstrom Winery, Bergstrom Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $65. Ripe, juicy black cherries fill the mouth with flavors, with generous oak notes which carry over to the finish. This will be a stunner if the oak tames down over the next 2-3 years; 90+/88+.

2005 Brick House Vineyards, Les Dijonnais, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $45. The nose has lovely earthy, smoky qualities, with lush black fruit, but the color is a little troubling. Modest fruit, easy tannins and balancing acidity round out the wine; 87/86.

2005 Broadley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Shea Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $48. Full and generous on the nose, with black cherries, raspberries and forest floor aromas abounding. Full, lush and well balanced on the palate, with a long, impressive finish; 90/89.

2004 Cana’s Feast Winery, Pinot Noir, Cuvée G, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $75. You’ll find very ripe red and black fruits with a cedary underpinning. Balanced, full, with silky tannins; 88/86.

2005 Panther Creek, Pinot Noir, Freedom Hill Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $40. The best of their line this year. You’ll pick up distinct matchstick aromas, but these blow off with time. Bright black cherry fruit prevails, with nice structure and depth and a long black cherry finish; 88/87.

2005 Patricia Green Cellars, Pinot Noir, Old Vine, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $38. Earthy black fruit greets the nose. The wine is very polished on the entry, with well-managed tannins giving structure to this medium to full-bodied wine. The flavors are complex, but the wine comes up a little short in the mid-palate; 88/88.

2005 Lemelson Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Jerome Reserve, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $50. Black fruit with an earthy underpinning is augmented by deft use of oak. Very polished on the entry, this is a quintessential Oregon Pinot. It is lush, complex and very pleasing; 92/92.

2005 St. Innocent, Pinot Noir, Shea Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon, $39. Sporting a very lovely Burgundian nose, the earthy black fruit aromas continue on the palate. Impeccably balanced, with a long, delicious finish; 92/92.

[This message has been edited by Bucko (edited 08-02-2007).]