Evening Land Pinot noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs 09

Review:

The nose is packed with wonderful red fruit, touches of exotic flowers and earth. The initial splash is signature 09 - read delicious - with well-balanced fruit that will appeal to the whole spectrum of Pinot drinkers. Following is a sumptuous mid-palate that echoes off the roof of your mouth without being overwhelming. The finish is lush with a puff pastry creaminess that I completely dig. The Evening Land Estate Pinot noir 09 has a little something for everyone. - Andy

2009 Wine Spectator - 92 points - Crisp, with a layer of gritty tannins around berry and plum flavors, with a nice mineral character to the finish. Best from 2013 through 2019. - H.S.

2009 Tanzer - 92 points - Bright ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of red berries, mace, potpourri and white pepper, with slow-mounting minerality. Juicy, sharply focused raspberry and cherry flavors show very good depth and vivacity, picking up a sexy floral nuance with air. This silky, precise pinot finishes with strong punch, excellent persistence and no excess fat. Develops very nicely in the glass and has the depth and structure to age, but it's also delicious now. - Josh Raynolds

San Francisco Chronicle: "Mark Tarlov's ascendant project has hit its stride with this stellar volcanic-soil site. His Oregon winemaker, Isabelle Meunier, found tremendous nuance in 2009, with an estate bottling that's perhaps two years shy of drinking age. A steely edge gains flesh as the wine opens, showing off mineral and iris accents to rich fruit."

2008 Vintage Tasting Notes

Sophisticated and focused. Alluring aromas of black cherries and wild blackberries, fresh turned earth, and flowers open to silky berry, cherry, and dark currant flavors. This seamless, complex and gushing Pinot keeps showing more layers - spice, forest, bramble, perfume - in a prolonged, intricate finish. Crafted by master winemakers, with the structure to age magnificently. Our bottle was still fresh on day three. Try one now, then hold for a couple years and try again. We HIGHLY recommend this for your cellar. - Jean & Marcus

2008 Wine Advocate - 91 points - The 2008 Pinot Noir Estate was picked from the vineyard's deeper soils and was fermented with native yeasts and aged for 16 months in 33% new oak. Dark ruby red, it surrenders an expressive nose of smoke, Asian spices, incense, and an amalgam of red and black fruits. On the palate it reveals excellent volume, savory flavors, good intensity, and precision. Give this lengthy effort 1-2 years to fully unwind, and drink it from 2012 to 2020. - Jay Miller

2008 Wine Spectator - 91 points - Light and zesty, offering a lovely mineral note that wafts through the blackberry and currant fruit, coming together elegantly on the expressive finish. Drink now through 2018." - H.S.

2008 Tanzer - 91 points - Bright ruby. Pure, vibrant aromas of strawberry, raspberry and Asian spices. Juicy, silky and suave, with very good lift to the red berry and floral pastille flavors. Sweet and precise pinot in a distinctly elegant style. Finishes gently tannic and persistent, with a light touch. - Josh Raynolds

The Estate has this incredible purity of wild red & black fruits with an intense spice/floral component. White pepper, cardamom......the fruit is almost 'crunchy' on the palate with uplifting acidity and great length. - Ken Pahlow, Evening Land Vineyards

The Evening Land Estate Pinot noir is made from 100% Seven Springs Vineyard fruit, one of most highly-regarded sites in the Willamette Valley.

Evening Land's Oregon wines are orchestrated by consulting winemaker Dominique LaFon, superstar Burgundy winemaker. He collaborates closely with Evening Land winemaker Isabelle Meunier. The result is a classic blend Oregon Pinot noir.

2007 Vintage Tasting Notes

Raspberry, truffle, white flower, licorice and smoked meat, with a savory dark cherry thread. Nicely structured and in a state of evolution, the 07 Estate will cellar well for 5-7 years. - Marcus

Wine Spectator TOP 100 - Number 97

2007 Wine Spectator - 92 points - Bright and juicy, with lively acidity and a streak of distinctive minerality running through the raspberry and floral flavors, lingering on the refined finish. Best from 2010 through 2014. - H.S.