OREGON WINE REPORT
OWReportCard 2000 PINOT NOIR

KEN WRIGHT CELLARS  
2000 Pinot noir, Elton Vineyard
Willamette Valley $40.00

Summary: Vibrant, medium hued strawberry and ruby color. Spicy aromas of leather, chocolate, and dark berry fruits with a hint of buttered toast. Wonderfully silky on the tongue, the wine has deep red cherry fruit with a cranberry-like tartness and a blackberry plumpness. There is also an earthy character that gives the wine a slightly brooding feel. Great acids and very smooth tannins create a satisfying intense and lingering red-fruit finish.

Comments: A delicious wine that walks a fine line between a pretty, high-toned red-fruit wine and a heavier, darker, weightier wine--I can't quite decide which one it is! Cook's Choice: "Great flavors, great structure, means a great wine for great food!"
 
KEN WRIGHT CELLARS  
2000 Pinot noir, Shea Vineyard
Willamette Valley $39.95


Summary: Light-hued ripe apple color. Unusual mixture of aromas: fresh mint, caramel, sweet cherry. Surprisingly sweet cherry and red fruit flavors attack the tongue, immediately followed by an offsetting crisp and peppery acidity, delivering a very satisfyingly bright mouthful. There is great smooth texture in the actual liquid, but the sensation it delivers is one of sharply-styled character. The finish is long and intense.

Comments: Forwardly fruitly with a wonderfully focused sweet/tart character, this is a very satisfying wine that is ideal for creative food pairings. Interestingly, it is brighter and redder than many of the Shea Vineyard wines I've recently had. Cook's Choice: "With bright acids and great fruit, this wine offers potential for fruitful food pairings!"