Another outstanding wine from Bethel Heights. Dark gem stone ruby in color. Very aromatic on the nose showing ripe plum, cherry and vanilla. On the palate this wine gets complex pumping out a rich collection of dried red fruits and a slight touch of pepper on the end. The finish is long, ripe and very satisfying. Beautiful all the way. ---------91 very solid points

Paul 5

Sounds a lot better than the 2001

Just my opinion. The 1999 Estate Bethel Heights was very good. The 2000 and 2001 were not as good at all.

Haven't tried the 2001. Board-o tried them and gave positive reviews. I'm a big fan of the 2000 Flat Block. I've had the 2002 Estate and found it to be quite nice but unready as most Oregon 2002 pinots are.

1999 was very good for Oregon. I've also found pinot noir very hard to judge when young. Go figure.

"I've also found pinot noir very hard to judge when young."

BINGO!

paulie, so have I, Robert Parker, and virtually everybody here, only you and I are the only ones who admit it.

It's really not that hard to judge Pinot Noir when young. Just ask yourself one question...did you like the wine?

jb

You're joking, right? Liking the wine in its youth has no bearing on its evolution. Apples and oranges.

I didn't see a mention of a wines evolution. Only how it is hard to judge young Pinot Noir. I disagree with you.

jb

I see. You feel that judging a young wine consists only of how it is currently drinking, with absolutely no thought to how it will evolve and taste when prime. I understand now.

I didn't say it was the only thing, but I do think that way too much is made of drinking a wine when it is "in it's prime". The very phrase is subject to the person who is to enjoy it. My "prime" is not your "prime". To each his own.

jb

Agreed

I opened my last bottle this evening. I agree with Paulie5, except maybe red raspberries, too. Very aromatic, but the finish was short, and not as good as it was last year.