2000 Chehalem Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir

I've been working my way through 2000 Oregon Pinots in an attempt to put a dent in the cellar and pulled out two bottles of the 2000 Chehalem Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir. I had first tasted this wine shortly after its release on a trip to Oregon in September 2002 when we visited the winery and had the chance to taste a sample from every vineyard. I recall that this wine was a bit of a brat at release, tighly wound, and in a bit of a pout. But the structure was there, as was the promise of more accessible fruit, if given the chance.

These two bottles where the renmants of the case we left with that day and I wondered how this wine had held up over the many years. The first bottle showed beautifully with a deep garnet color. The only signs of age was a clear lip. The nose was a bit dusty but with hints of dark cherry,vanilla, and bramble. On the palate there was plenty of lovely, sweet fruit, velvety in texture, but with enough acid to keep it from being cloying or flabby.

The finish was long--40+ seconds--hot and slightly medicinal.

A week later I opened the second bottle, wondering if the first bottle was a fluke. Nope. Another pristine cork, terrific color, and almost identical characteristics, proving that this wine was indeed worthy of the wait.

2001 Cameron Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to preface this post by admitting that I am a big fan of Oregon Pinot Noir.

I love the big fruit flavors, the diversity of microclimates and soils, and the passion these winemakers bring to crafting wines from this challenging grape. So when I opened a bottle of 2001 Cameron Willamette Valley Pinot Noir the other night I did expect that I would like this wine. What I did not expect was how well it had aged.

Close to ten years in the bottle, I did see a clear lip when I poured the wine into a glass along with a slight brick tinge to the bright art glass color I was used to seeing in these pinots. But on the nose there was no hint of a wine in decline. I inhaled raspberry, cherry licorice, clove, sweet tobacco, and new oak.

On the palate I picked up the plum brandy flavor that I associate with some age, followed by bramble and mineral and a refreshing sparkling acid on the tongue.

This pinot finished long with a mild but lingering cherry pastille flavor. Yum, just the ticket for a cold, blustery night.

If you have a bottle of this wine in your cellar, I would recommend you liberate it— perhaps when there’s a turkey roasting or when you need just a little something…for medicinal purposes.