2010 Willamette Wine between $25 and $50

Sleek and slender, but fleshy enough to deliver cinnamon-accented cherry flavors, showing a hint of coffee as the finish lingers. Deftly balanced. Drink now through 2017. -- 90 points, Wine Spectator

Open and immediately accessible, this is fragrant and gently floral, with clearly defined varietal character. It opens beautifully into an elegant, aromatic and crisply structured wine, with excellent length.

Bing cherry, plums, and exotic spices on the nose. Framed by fine, textured tannins that lead to a creamy palate of red berries, bramble, black fruit, and dark chocolate. Balanced acidity throughout that finishes long with tobacco and wood spice.

Reflecting - in comparison with Ponzis? ?Tavola? bottling - older vines from Laurelwood soils including two estate sites, their 2010 Pinot Noir displays purple plum and sour cherry with an undertone of marrow-rich beef stock. There is a slight, almost horseradish-like bite in the finish that adds to the stimulation and saliva-inducement of a Pinot apt to give renewed pleasure over at least the next 4-5 years.