The 2006 Pinot Noir Aliete was sourced from a site planted in 1992 to the Pommard clone. It was aged for 14 months in 50% new French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits a bouquet of toast, spice box, and dark fruits. On the palate, it is ripe, friendly, and flavorful with enough structure for balance. It is likely to evolve for 1-2 years and will provide pleasure through 2018. Willakenzie Estate remains a reliable source for well-made and fairly priced Pinot Noir. Their vineyard-designated wine are held back for an additional year before release so these 2006s are the current offerings. The differences between the various vineyard designates are subtle (each parcel has its own clonal selection, exposure, and age of vines); personally I would like to see a cuvee of the top barrels encompassing all of these sites for purposes of comparison but, alas, they do not make one. Tel. (503) 662-5026; www.willakenzie.com

WillaKenzie’s Aliette Pinot Noir is a pretty, feminine wine, aromatic with baking spices and supple in the mouth. Mixed red fruits suggest wild berries—especially raspberries—and the wine has a stylish elegance through a firm, spicy finish.——P.G.(12/15/2009)—— 89