The 2009 Pinot Noir Ridgecrest Vineyards Wind Ridge Block is more deeply colored with a focus on the darker side of the fruit spectrum. Spicy but a bit lean in the finish, it should be consumed over the next 6-7 years. Chehalem's new Pinot Noir releases are uniformly excellent to outstanding. Chehalem invests considerable effort into its white wine program. While these wines are not the focus of this report, they merit mentioning because every one of them is a very good to outstanding value:Tel. (503) 538-9396; www.chehalemwines.com

Nice cherry fruit right up front brings some sweetness to this wine. Young as it is, the components are still knitting together, but there is much to enjoy already. Lovely grapey/cherry flavors are wrapped in light herb, and accented with almost salty sea flavors. ——P.G.(6/1/2010)—— 90