Winemaker Adam Lee presents aromas of pressed elderberries and ripe black cherries on this single-vineyard bottling, boosted by hints of licorice and a touch of wet tobacco. Dark but not particularly ripe berries power the earthy palate, which also benefits from eucalyptus, sagebrush, mace and a hint of juniper.

Nicely ripened and moderately rich with an insistent impression of pulpy, black cherry fruit running its length, Siduri’s Sierra Mar working is at once both substantial and structured without being heavy or hard. Its finish is marked by a touch of tannin, but its very well-focused fruit refuses to let go, and, if service with food will smooth its way in the short term, a couple of years in the cellar are in order.

This is also restrained but persistent swirling eventually causes the nose to open to expose plum liqueur, spice and soft sandalwood nuances. There is once again fine volume to the lush, even opulent medium-bodied flavors that coat the palate with dry extract that also serves to buffer the moderately firm tannic spine on the delicious, dusty and attractively persistent finale where a hint of warmth creeps in just as the length begins to fade away. Even so this is really quite good even if the balance isn't perfect.

The best Russian River Pinots evoke a wonderfully pure sense of distinctly cherry-like fruit even when quite ripe, and this lovely effort does just that. It leads with incisive, deeply fruited aromas that are sweetened with a deft touch of oak, and its generous flavors show an extra measure of substance and stuffing. It is fairly full-bodied and aims for direct richness right now, yet it intimates nuance to come, and it is a wine that is wholly worth laying down for a few years.

From another Sonoma Coast vineyard, the 2013 Pinot Noir Sonatera Vineyard is outstanding. This wine, coming from four separate clones, offers blacker fruits, more forest floor and complex Côte de Nuitslike characteristics, in a slightly bigger framework than the three predecessors, along with plenty of depth and silky, soft tannins. Drink it over the next 5-6 years.

Soft and layered, this wine has firmness and depth to its structure, and is dark in brooding baked plum and cinnamon stick. A pungency of tight oak wraps its way around the fruit and savory spice, suggesting additional time in cellar, through 2023.

Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. Perfumed with aromas of black cherry, earthy flora and mushroom. Sensual and smooth on the palate with mid weight plus flavors of dark cherry, boysenberry, cola and dark chocolate. I was impressed by the seamless character of this wine. The finish had picked up intensity and length when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.

On the lighter side, with delicate plum and guava flavors playing against crisp tannins and lively acidity, lingering on the gentle finish.

2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Six Years Later: Suspended in Time April 19, 2014 88, August 2018 91 Note: Oak and tannins became integrated over time and the fruit had picked up intensity. Slight alcohol on finish.

2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Six Years Later: Suspended in Time April 19, 2014 91, August 2018 91 Note: Pleasing still with fruit that aspires to a higher calling. The astringent finish detracts slightly.

2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Six Years Later: Suspended in Time April 19, 2014 89, August 2018 91 Note: This wine packs a lot of flavor although light in color and the juicy cherry fruit is appealing now.

Delivers spice and pure, ripe, savory plum and raspberry notes in a focused, delicate style, lingering on the finish, where the medley of berry flavors commingle. The tannins are firm and pleasantly earthy.

2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Six Years Later: Suspended in Time April 19, 2014 90, August 2018 91 Note: Quintessential Russian River Valley in character with a soothing texture from judicious tannins.

Oregon Displays Collective Greatness: 400-Plus Wines Rated This offers an array of fresh and brambly red cherries with a very neatly focused, red-cherry and raspberry core on the palate, wrapped in gently sinewy tannins. Attractively fresh resolve.

Lean and lively, this wine deliver forward and delicious red and dark fruit flavors that sit alongside some minerals. There is wonderful balance and texture to this wine that will cellar well over the next decade.

Dark red. Spice-tinged blackberry and cherry aromas are complicated by sassafras, cola and allspice nuances. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering juicy red and dark berry and spicecake flavors along with suggestions of mocha and candied flowers. Finishes with strong, spicy punch, gentle tannins and strong, dark-berry-driven tenacity.

The Penner-Ash Willamette Valley pinot noir is distributed nationally and shows up on a lot of restaurant wine lists around the country. It serves as Penner-Ash’s entry point pinot, and is one that tries to strike a widely appealing profile. I’ve had a number of vintages and it tends to show very little variation from year-to-year, making its consistency an appealing asset for consumers who like knowing what they’re getting each time. Nevertheless, it usually offers good depth for the price, and is one that I always wish I could have a few years of bottle age. The 2015 has a saturated nose of plummy cherry, Dr. Pepper, graphite and lavender. It’s rocking a full body that enters thick. The tannin is restrained but mouth-filling and slightly grainy, and the acid strikes a good level. Flavors are a briar patch of blackberry, raspberry and boysenberry complimented nicely by baking spice and just a touch of saline. While it’s nice now, I’d love to try this one again in 2020 and expect it to do well for a few additional years. 91 points, value: B+.

On the tighter side of the spectrum as befits an Oregon-grown Pinot Noir, this still-nascent bottling opens with air to reveal clear varietal focus on ripe red cherries with both strawberry and slightly toasty notes. Its nose accurately presages the wine's firmly built flavors, but there is keenly crafted character here and plenty of encouragement that an increasingly accessible and enjoyable wine will emerge with a few years in bottle. Two stars.

USA, Oregon: 2016 Vintage – Part Two Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2015 Pinot Noir Hyland Vineyard has a nose of warm cinnamon, dusty earth and dried tea leaves over a core of black and red cherries and berries plus notes of licorice, forest floor and dried floral perfume. Light to medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm fruits, earth, cardamom and vanilla. It offers grainy, slightly chewy tannins and just enough acidity to lift the dense finish, ending with just a touch of alcoholic heat.

Showing a gorgeous nose of blueberry and strawberry fruit, with just a hint of floral, the Penner-Ash estate Pinot Noir is inviting from the first whiff. But there’s so much more there. In addition to its fruit purity, there is impressive structure and length in the mouth. The tannins are firm, but will soften with bottle age, so give this wine another year or two or three to shine its best.

Offers a perfumed nose of cedar, carbon and plump blue plum with smoky notes of earth and mint. The palate is lean and bright red raspberry, currant. ‘Vibrant redness’, nice texture.

Oregon: Pinot Still King Even In Hot 2015 and 2014 Vintages Lots of red cherries to this one with blood oranges, balsamic, jasmine and pressed violets. The palate shows ripe but bright cherries, pretty acidity, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.

Brilliant ruby-red. Dark berries, cherry cola and a hint of allspice on the deeply perfumed nose. Densely packed cherry and black raspberry flavors show very good energy for their heft and pick up a hint of smokiness on the back half. Plush and round; floral and spice notes linger on a very long, subtly tannic finish. This is pretty impressive for an entry-level offering.