2009 Bergström Pinot Noir Bergström Vineyard

The flagship 2009 Pinot Noir Bergstrom Vineyard comes from a site planted in 1999. Dark ruby red in color, it proffers aromas of Asian spices, balsam wood, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Combining power with elegance unusual for this vintage, it is a nicely proportioned, succulent, already complex, pleasure-bent Pinot that will provide enjoyment through 2019. Josh Bergstrom now has 5 estate vineyards encompassing 85 acres in 5 AVAs. He has decided to stop working with Riesling (despite the high quality) and focus entirely on Chardonnay in his white wine program. Tel. (503) 554-0463; www.bergstromwinery.com

Vivid ruby. Sexy, expansive aromas of red and dark berry liqueur, cola, star anise and fresh flowers, with a suave vanilla quality gaining strength with air. Sappy, deep and penetrating, offering a velvety texture and powerful raspberry and blackberry flavors. Shows the ripe side of the year but there's very good energy here too. The smooth, sweet finish offers impressive smoke- and spice-accented persistence.