The 2009 Pinot Noir La Source Seven Springs Vineyard was sourced from a different set of parcels and clones but was otherwise treated identically to its siblings. It has much to recommend it; spicy flavors, impeccable balance, and superb concentration and length for the vintage but is not obviously better or much different than the Estate cuvee, at least to this taster. Evening Land Vineyards is a group headed by movie magnate Mark Tarlov that also owns Pinot vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Santa Rita Hills and is making wines in Burgundy. They gained control of one of the Willamette Valley’s prized properties, Seven Springs Vineyard, and created an immediate sensation by signing on Dominique Lafon of Comte Lafon in Burgundy as consulting winemaker. The Evening Land group is also making a major effort to restore the health and vitality of Seven Springs. The most recent development is the addition of renowned Master Sommelier Larry Stone as President and GM of the group in August 2010.Tel. (503) 395-2520; www.eveninglandvineyards.com

The 2007 Pinot Noir La Source Seven Springs Vineyard was aged in a larger percentage of new oak. It exhibits a similar bouquet but greater structure and sweeter fruit on the palate. Ripe, concentrated, and with a masculine personality, it will benefit from 2-3 years of additional cellaring and offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2019. Evening Land Vineyards is a group headed by movie magnate Mark Tarlov that also owns Pinot vineyards in the Sonoma Coast and Santa Rita Hills. They gained control of one of the Willamette Valley’s prized properties, Seven Springs Vineyard, and created an immediate sensation by signing on Dominique Lafon of Comte Lafon in Burgundy as consulting winemaker. The good news is that the Evening Land group is making a major effort to restore the health and vitality of Seven Springs; the bad news is that several wineries that made terrific wine from Seven Springs fruit will no longer have access. 2007 was a superb year for Willamette Valley white wines because of the vibrant natural acidity provided by the cool vintage conditionswww.eveninglandsvineyards.com