CELLAR
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are based on tastings over the past several months. Please remember that personal preferences vary, however, and drinking a wine too young is generally better than too old! For older wines, it is best to stand the bottles upright for 2-3 days prior to opening (to allow any sediment to settle to the bottom). Open younger wines 2-4 hours before drinking, and about 1 hour for older wines.
1996 Pinot Noir Reserve
Absolutely delicious! Congratulations to those who waited!
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Drink
1997 Pinot Noirs
At their peaks…nothing to be gained from more time.
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Maresh Vineyard – Drink
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Murto Reserve – Drink (showing fresh and vibrant – Oct-2021)
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Estate Reserve – Drink
1998 Pinot Noirs
These are great examples of how Oregon Pinots from good vintages can age beautifully. The Murto is starting to show some secondary characteristics, but the Wahle is still remarkably fresh. There is no rush to drink these, but there is probably not much to be gained by holding them longer (with the exception of the Estate Reserve, which is still quite primary).
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Murto Reserve – Drink
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Wahle Reserve – Drink (great showing on April 21st 2017!)
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
1999 Pinot Noirs
Since this was our daughters birth-year, we are holding these for her to enjoy after 2020 when she “comes of age”. So we have limited recent experience with these wines. Pull a cork or two if you must, but I don’t think you’ll regret holding them longer…
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Murto Reserve – Drink/Hold
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Wahle Reserve – Drink/Hold
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Cuvee Mystere – Drink/Hold
2000 Pinot Noirs
Delicious…at their peaks…enjoy!
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Murto Reserve – Drink
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Wahle Reserve – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink
2001 Pinot Noirs
Drinking beautifully now, probably at or near their peaks, not much to be gained by holding much longer … a vintage that was perhaps a bit under-appreciated in it’s youth, but has evolved very nicely.
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Murto Reserve – Drink (the favorite of an 18 vintage vertical tasting in the summer of 2015!)
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Wahle Reserve – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink
2002 Pinot Noirs
As they approach their 20th birthdays, these wines are quite enjoyable, but starting to show more secondary and tertiary characteristics than fresh primary fruit. If you have multiple bottles, save one until 2022, but consider pulling corks on the rest.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink
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Wahle Vineyard – Drink (showing beautifully now, still mostly primary with some hints of age aromatically … fresh and vibrant!)
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
2003 Pinot Noirs
Drop-dead delicious wines from a warm vintage … enjoy!
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Murto Vineyard – Drink
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink
2004 Pinot Noirs
Early bloomers, pull a few corks now … Estate Reserve is a little backward at this point.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
2005 Pinot Noirs
Enjoyable now, but still holding much promise … no rush to drink, especially if you have other choices.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink (fresh and silky on April 23rd 2017)
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
2006 Pinot Noirs
Ripe, luscious wines that have been delightful since release, and continue to be so! Not much to be gained by waiting, so enjoy them now for their combination of ripe fruit and freshness.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink
2007 Pinot Noirs
These wines continue to evolve beautifully. Every bottle you open is better than the last one! The low alcohol levels make them a joy at the table. Enjoy some now and save some for later.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
2008 Pinot Noirs
These wines seem a little closed and shut down right now (as of November 2019). They are much better after being opened for a few days. So I am recommending to give them some more time in the cellar.
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Murto Vineyard – Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Hold
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Estate Reserve – Hold
2009 Pinot Noirs
Easy, very approachable wines that are delicious today. Enjoy now!
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Murto Vineyard – Drink
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
2010 Pinot Noirs
These cool climate classics should reward a few years in the cellar. Try one or two now, but hold the rest for at least another 2-3 years.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Estate Reserve – Hold (a bit backward now)
2011 Pinot Noirs
I find these wines quite enjoyable now, but they are clearly evolving in a very positive direction. If you have other drinking options, hold these for another year or two…
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Estate Reserve – Hold
2012 Pinot Noirs
A great vintage that is showing well now … worth visiting a bottle if you have more than one.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Estate Reserve – Hold
2013 Pinot Noirs
Overall a cool year … complex, elegant wines … they are in a sweet spot right now, but will only get better with more time in the cellar.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
2014 Pinot Noirs
Warm year … soft, supple wines that are fun to drink now, but also have the structure for 10 years in the cellar.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Estate Reserve – Drink/Hold
2015 Pinot Noirs
Another warm year, but with cool nights that provide good acidity and balance. Can be enjoyed now, but worth cellaring.
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Murto Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Belle Pente Vineyard – Drink/Hold
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Estate Reserve – Hold