The 2009 Pinot Noir Notorious is Patricia Green’s only cuvee to use 100% new oak. It is a barrel selection which changes from year to year; in this vintage all the fruit came from the Balcombe Vineyard. With Notorious, lees are added back into the barrel for added richness. It is a complex, plush, velvety, totally pleasure-bent Pinot that well drink well for a decade. Veteran vigneron Patricia (Patty) Green was the original winemaker at Torii Mor before purchasing the old Autumn Wind Winery in 2000 along with partner Jim Anderson and renaming it Patricia Green Cellars. Current production stands at 10,000 cases with distribution in 20 states. All of the Patricia Green wines are fermented naturally, see about one-third new oak, and only Cadus barrels are used in the cellar. In 2009 Green and Anderson’s lengthy experience paid off as they were able to get the maximum out of what the vintage offered.Tel. (503) 554-0821; www.patriciagreencellars.com

The 2008 Pinot Noir Notorious was aged in 100% new oak sur lie. Aromas of pain grille, Asian spices, incense, black cherry and plum lead to a dense, medium-bodied wine crammed with succulent dark fruit flavors, superb volume, and impeccable balance. Satin-textured, it manages to retain a sense of elegance along with its obvious power. The seamless finish lasts for over a minute. Veteran vigneron Patricia (Patty) Green was the original winemaker at Torii Mor before purchasing the old Autumn Wind Winery in 2000 along with partner Jim Anderson and renaming it Patricia Green Cellars. Current production stands at 10,000 cases with distribution in 20 states. All of the Patricia Green wines are fermented naturally, see about one-third new oak, and only Cadus barrels are used in the cellar. The Patricia Green 2008 Pinot Noirs range from outstanding to sublime in quality.Tel. (503) 554-0821; www.patriciagreencellars.com

The 2007 Pinot Noir Notorious is a barrel selection of the best Pinot Noir in the cellar. On the day of my tasting, it was not singing. Meaty, earthy aromas are intermingled with a hint of green celery notes. Firm and a bit compact on the palate, this wine’s evolution is a question mark.Veteran vigneron Patricia (Patty) Green was the original winemaker at Torii Mor before purchasing the old Autumn Wind Winery in 2000 along with partner Jim Anderson and renaming it Patricia Green Cellars. Current production stands at 10,000 cases with distribution in 20 states. All of the Patricia Green wines are fermented naturally, see about one-third new oak, and only Cadus barrels are used in the cellar. The wines are discussed in the order in which they were presented at the winery in July, 2009.Tel. (503) 554-0821; www.patriciagreencellars.com