The 2007 Pinot Noir Olson Estate Vineyard was a huge crop that was apparently not quite as ripe as they wanted it to be. It has a more rustic bouquet than the 2008, lighter and earthier than subsequent vintages, but still with freshness. The palate is medium-bodied with tart red cherry fruit, not as much depth as the 2008 with a piquant finish. Not bad, though I would drink this over the next 2-3 years.

The 2007 Pinot Noir Olson Estate Vineyard is a terroir-driven wine with underbrush and earth notes in the forefront of the bouquet. On the palate, darker fruits (plum and black cherry) make their presence known and there is enough structure for 1-2 years of evolution. However, this will always be a reserved, intellectual style of Pinot. Vintages definitely matter in the Willamette Valley. I gave every one of Torii Mor's 2006 Pinot Noirs a rating of at least 90 points. In the 2007 vintage only one wine achieved that score and several could not be recommended.Tel. (800) 839-5004; www.toriimorwinery.com

Tannic, earthy and sadly dilute, this is not up to the quality of previous vintages from this excellent vineyard. Flavors are quite thin, leafy and barely hinting at fruit.——P.G.(12/15/2009)—— 85