2006 Oregon Pinot Noir - Wine of the Week

In a tasting of 2006 vintage Oregon Pinot Noirs, we sampled some fabulous bottles. According to a recent issue of Wine Spectator, this vintage isn't all bad despite a long, hot summer – you might say Indian Summer – that stressed the vines (whew!). The results are Pinot Noirs with ripe, mature fruit and a nice tannic structure that are ready to drink now.

Generally speaking, Pinot Noir is a fitting wine to transition into spring, with a lighter body yet not lacking the spices and fruit that drive a bottle into excellence. Pair these with salmon to celebrate the earthiness in both the wine and the food, and you can even tap into a sommelier's wine-pairing trick: choose food and wine from the same region by going with Pacific Northwest salmon.

After the jump, find our eight favorites. And trust us when we say that the hike in bottle price – compared to what you might pay for a mass-market Pinot Noir from California – is well worth the splurge. These are wines you are going to remember long after you've finished them.
2006 Stoller Vineyards Pinot Noir SV Estate, Dundee Hills ($40)
Ripe fruit (mostly plum) and spices are on the palate, preceded by aromas of violets, tobacco and forest floor. Overall, this is a very smooth, very earthy wine with a spicy finish.

2006 Argyle "Nuthouse" Pinot Noir Reserve Series, Willamette Valley ($60)
Of the Pinots tasted, this was a clear favorite. Creamy, concentrated fruit flavors power the Pinot from aromas of forest floor into a mid-palate that's reminiscent of plum pudding, and black-cherry notes too. Yet the finish of refined tannins is bright and intense.

2006 Erath Winery Pinot Noir Leland, Willamette Valley ($50)
Baked, sweet cherries and vanilla are on the nose of this silky wine. Despite its balanced structure, it's got a spicy finish that lingers and a rich, chocolate-y mid-palate.

2006 Z'Ivo Pinot Noir, Eola Amity Hills, Willamette Valley ($36)
An earthy, smoky nose with some spices paves the way for a Pinot with soft tannins, expressive black fruit and a touch of effervescence. Expect a rich and round mouth feel.

2006 Anam Cara Cellars Pinot Noir Heather's Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains ($65)
Very fruit-forward, there is a hint of pepper throughout and a complex nose of pressed roses, violets and cherry blossoms that made us curious about what was to follow. What did follow was a very refined wine with cherry and raspberry notes and a distinct aroma of lavender.

2006 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evanstad Reserve Willamette Valley ($58)
This was another favorite in our tasting (and even held up in the bottle for five days). The smooth, expressive wine contains jammy raspberry and strawberry notes, as well as licorice flavors. Tannins on a lingering finish quickly softened.

2006 Panther Creek Cellars Pinot Noir, Shea Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton District, Willamette Valley ($43)
A fresh nose is followed by nice, aggressive fruit – including black-cherry and blackberry – that mingles with cocoa, orange peel and black pepper before easing into a flawless and clean structure. This is an approachable Pinot Noir with a snappy finish and earthy palate.

2006 Carabella Vineyard Pinot Noir Inchinnan, Chehalem Mountains ($54)
A hint of sweet, ocean-like perfume is on the nose, and sweet-cherry notes on the palate, made this one of the sweeter Pinots that we tried. Lots of forest-floor and herbaceousness create a nice contrast.