2005 Cloudline Pinot Noir

Tonight we had this wine at Witherspoon Grill in Princeton, and it did not disappoint. I've ready many reviews on this wine, so it was nice to see it on the menu.

From the beginning, this wine smelled like Willamette Valley with hints of raspberry, black cherry, and the faintest hints of cinnamon on the nose. You could tell from the smell alone that this wine was not going to be a fruit bomb, and would be in a more Burgundian, old world style...not a bad thing at all. On the palate, this wine shined with more hints of cherry, and not the typical California candied cherry, as well as undertones of raspberry, and the faintest hints of mushroom and earth. The finish was short and very simple, yet very pleasant. All in all, a nice wine at a good QPR, and worthy of 88 points! Cheers!

2005 Benton-Lane Pinot Noir

Another good bottle of this consitently well crafted Oregon pinot noir, just don't let the screw top fool you! Nice nose of cherry, wildflower, and other non-desript red fruits. On the nose, more of the cherry comes through, with hints of raspberry, spice, and mushroom. Simple tasty finish garners 88 points for this wine! Cheers!