My favorite of the portfolio is the 2007 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill. Medium ruby-colored, it exhibits an enticing nose of toast, spice box, underbrush, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has plenty of layered, savory fruit, enough tannin for balance, and lively acidity. This well-balanced effort will evolve for 1-2 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2011 to 2019. Panther Creek’s collection of 2007 Pinot Noirs reflects some of the challenges of the vintage. Tel. (503) 472-8080; www.panthercreekcellars.com

Among the four different single- vineyard selections tasted, this showed best. Strawberry/cherry fruit is spiced up with dark chocolate and a thread of pine sap. Long and layered, this offering shows enough vineyard character to make a designate compelling.——P.G.(3/1/2011)—— 90