The 2005 Beacon Hill Brut Rose is composed of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A deep salmon pink in color, it offers up an alluring bouquet of biscuit, rose petal, minerals, strawberry, and raspberry. Medium to full-bodied, rich, and flavorful on the palate, this vibrant effort is impeccably balanced and lengthy. It would be a fascinating experiment to place it in a blind tasting with Louis Roederer Cristal Rose and Dom Perignon Rose. Tony Soter continues to craft one of America's finest sparkling wines. Tel. (503) 852-6944; www.sotervineyards.com

The 2004 Beacon Hill Brut Rose is salmon pink-colored with a persistent stream of tiny bubbles, an attractive mousse, and aromas of rose petals and strawberries. Crisp, lively, and concentrated, this flavorful bubbly should drink well for several years. If our economic doldrums have caused you to forego Dom Perignon Rose and Roederer Cristal Rose, keep in mind that for the price of one bottle of those stellar Champagnes, you could purchase an entire case of Tony Soter’s Beacon Hill Brut Rose. Tel. (503) 852-6944; www.sotervineyards.com

The 2001 Beacon Hill Brut Rose was disgorged in March 2006. Salmon pink in color, it offers a lovely bouquet of rose petals, strawberry, and wheat thins. There is a steady stream of tiny bubbles, crisp flavors with depth, and serious persistence on the palate. Personally, for the same money, I’d rather have six bottles of Beacon Hill Brut Rose than one bottle of Dom Perignon Rose (unless someone else is buying – then it’s a coin-flip). Barrel samples of Soter’s three 2006 Pinot Noirs are very promising. This is a friendlier vintage with fatter, riper fruit and higher alcohol. I would anticipate something special from Tony Soter in the this vintage. Renowned Napa Valley winemaker Tony Soter (Etude, Spottswoode, among others) has made a full-time commitment to Willamette Valley, moving his family, building a winery, and planting a vineyard.

The 1999 Brut Rose Beacon Hill exhibits a peach-like color and a wonderfully elegant nose reminiscent of a perfectly fashioned Kir Royal (a drink made from sparkling wine and cassis liqueur). Notes of cassis can be discerned in its floral, expressive aromatics. Medium-bodied, satin-textured and extremely flavorful, it coats the taster’s palate with notes of black cherries, violets, blackberries, and assorted flowers. This extravagant, beautifully crafted rose should be drunk over the next 2-3 years. Tel. (503) 662-5600 www.sotervineyards.com

The peach/salmon-colored 1997 Brut Rose Beacon Hill was produced from 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir that spent 3 years on their lees before being disgorged. Its toasty pear scents lead to a vinous, medium-bodied and silky-textured personality. This wine should be drunk over the next 2 years. Tel. (503) 662-5600