Don Kilpatrick III

The Dow Jones Oregon Pinot Noir Index

In a blind tasting of Oregon Pinot Noir under $60, mostly from the 2006 vintage but also including some from 2005, these were our favorites. These are great with all kinds of food, from roast chicken to lamb, and would be a lovely accompaniment to your Thanksgiving dinner. Most of these could benefit from some age. If you open one now, think about decanting it, but only after you taste it first.

Domaine Serene "Evenstad Reserve" 2005 (Willamette Valley). $52.99.
Very Good/Delicious.
Best of tasting. Big, gutsy Pinot, with black pepper, earth and body to spare. Serious wine, made with integrity.

Foris Vineyards Winery 2006 (Rogue Valley). $18.99.
Very Good.
Best value (tie).
Classy, with tightly wound fruit and a raspberry-spice-oak-nutmeg finish. Even a touch of chocolate. Lovely.

Yamhill Valley Vineyards "Estate" 2006 (McMinnville, Willamette Valley). $19.95.
Very Good.
Best value (tie).
Good minerals and some sensuous funk. Interesting, with a sense of place. As Dottie said, "It's relaxed, but it delivers" -- especially at the price.

Beaux Frères 2006 (Willamette Valley) $54.95.
Very Good.
A complete wine, with confident Pinot fruit, a real clarity of taste and some proud earthiness. Well-known name in Oregon Pinot and this one, for us, justifies the buzz.

Francis Tannahill "The Hermit" 2005 (Willamette Valley). $41.99.
Very Good.
Rich, soulful nose. Great balance, nicely restrained, with fruit enveloped in earth and just enough zingy acidity. Totally winning.

King Estate Winery "Signature Collection" 2006 (Oregon). $29.99.
Very Good.
Unusually pretty color, velvety smooth. Attractive, rich nose. All sorts of purple fruits on the taste, plus some lilac and rosemary. Crisp and clean, but with a sense of earth. As John said, "Just good wine." Longtime favorite.

Ponzi Vineyards 2006 (Willamette Valley). $37.99.
Very Good.
Fresh and fruity, easy and pure. It simply tastes real.

Roco (Dundee Wine Co.) 2006 (Willamette Valley). $39.99.
Very Good.
Charming, honest wine that shows the beauty of letting the ripe, somewhat grapey fruit take center stage. Easy to drink.

NOTE: Wines are rated on a scale that ranges: Yech, OK, Good, Very Good, Delicious and Delicious!

These are the prices we paid at wine stores in California, Illinois and New York. Prices vary widely.

Wall Street Journal October 24, 2008 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122479781453564359.html