The 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley was fermented with native yeasts and spent 18 months in 30% new oak. Medium crimson-colored, it exhibits a brooding bouquet of smoke, Asian spices, incense, rose petal, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a satin-textured vibrant, savory Pinot with incipient complexity, succulent black fruit flavors, excellent volume, and a lengthy, seamless finish. Give it 3-4 years to realize its full potential and drink it through 2023, perhaps longer. Eric Hamacher is a founding member of ORCHA, the Oregon Chardonnay Alliance, a group who believes that Willamette Valley is capable of making world class Chardonnay. Tel. (503) 852-7200; www.hamacherwines.com