1998 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (7/16/2006)
WIML92,NOWA,WS90

Tasted July 15, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Lenox Grand Bordeaux glass. Dusty rose color in the glass, slightly dusty throughout. Nose of forest floor, black cherries, berries and maybe a little smoke. Flavors of red berries, a little red licorice, a little cherry and maybe some mineral. Medium acidity with silky tannins. Drink now, perhaps hold a few years. No value recommendation. NOTE: PURPLE says “this is how I like my Pinot Noir”. (92 pts.)

I have had a bunch of disappointing bottles of this, but the last one I had finally started to show. I have but a few left, but sounds like this might be the time to drink them.

• 1998 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (2/25/2006)
  Best bottle I have had since release. Tasted with a cumin spice rubbed pork tenderloin. A but if sulfur/eggy smell at first, but this is a nice pinot- Cherry and cranberry notes, with some spice and nutmeg specifically. Refreshing acidity. Over time picked up some tartness and moved solidly to the cranberry side of things. (89 pts.)