2008 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

The 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley which contains 5% purchased fruit. Medium ruby in color, it gives up an alluring bouquet of cedar, cinnamon, incense, black raspberry, and black cherry that jumps from the glass. This leads to a dense, ripe, spicy, well-balanced wine with enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years (ageability being a significant trait of the vintage). This lengthy effort will be at its best from 2012 to 2020. Tel. (503) 864-2700; www.domainedrouhin.com

Bright ruby. High-pitched aromas of strawberry, raspberry, licorice, white pepper and Asian spices, plus a whiff of dried rose. Sappy, racy and pure, with sharply delineated flavors of red berries, cherry and spicecake. Comes across as very lively owing to an impression of high acidity. Youthfully tight wine, finishing with excellent purity and energy and a jolt of candied flowers. This will be even better for four or five years in the bottle.