One red wine qualifies for this value report, the 2007 Cerise, a blend of 80% Gamay and 20% Pinot Noir, a blend known as Passetoutgrain in Burgundy. The Gamay was sourced from Ridgecrest Vineyard planted in 1984. Cherry red in color, it has a fragrant perfume of cranberry and wild strawberry leading to a ripe, racy, easy-going wine designed for immediate gratification.With all of the attention focused on Willamette Valley’s Pinot Noirs, their excellent white wines often get overlooked. This is a shame because there is plenty of quality as well as superb value and no one is doing it better than Chehalem.Tel. (503) 538-4700; www.chehalemwines.com

Cerise is French for cherry, and cherries are here in abundance, scents and flavors, an explosion of cherries. Light, forward, delicate yet deep, this is a perfect autumn red.——P.G.(12/15/2009)—— 88