2008 Winderlea Pinot Noir Estate Reserve

The 2008 Pinot Noir Winderlea Vineyard Reserve is a barrel selection of the estate fruit that spent 11 months in 38% new French oak. Similar to the Estate cuvee but more structured, it is a rich, layered, plush offering that will benefit from 3-4 years of additional cellaring with a drinking window extending from 2014 to 2023+. Transplanted Bostonians Bill Sweat and Donna Morris had the good sense to hire Robert Brittan (for more see Brittan Vineyards) to make their wines from one of the Willamette Valley’s finest terroirs. I inexplicably missed the Winderlea 2008s so they are included along with the superb 2009s. Tel. (503) 554-5000; www.winderlea.com