The 2001 Beacon Hill Brut Rose was disgorged in March 2006. Salmon pink in color, it offers a lovely bouquet of rose petals, strawberry, and wheat thins. There is a steady stream of tiny bubbles, crisp flavors with depth, and serious persistence on the palate. Personally, for the same money, I’d rather have six bottles of Beacon Hill Brut Rose than one bottle of Dom Perignon Rose (unless someone else is buying – then it’s a coin-flip). Barrel samples of Soter’s three 2006 Pinot Noirs are very promising. This is a friendlier vintage with fatter, riper fruit and higher alcohol. I would anticipate something special from Tony Soter in the this vintage. Renowned Napa Valley winemaker Tony Soter (Etude, Spottswoode, among others) has made a full-time commitment to Willamette Valley, moving his family, building a winery, and planting a vineyard.