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BELLE PENTE

Vineyard & Winery

Cellar Recommendations

Last updated 24-Nov  2009

The following recommendations are based on recent tastings of the wines (including selected customer feedback), and reflect our assessment of their development. Personal preferences vary, however.  Drinking a wine too young is generally better than too old.  For older wines, it is best to stand the bottles upright for 2-3 days prior to opening (to allow any sediment to settle to the bottom).  Open younger wines 2-4 hours before drinking, and about 1 hour for older wines.

 1996 Pinot Noir Reserve

     Absolutely delicious!  Congratulations to those who waited!

      Drink

 1997 Pinot Noirs

     At their peaks...nothing to be gained from more time.

       Maresh Vineyard - Drink

       Murto Reserve - Drink

       Estate Reserve - Drink

 1998 Pinot Noirs

     Showing very well at ten years on, these are great examples of how Oregon Pinots from good vintages can age beautifully. The Murto is starting to show some secondary characteristics, but the Wahle is still remarkably fresh. There is no rush to drink these,  but there is probably not much to be gained by holding them longer (with the exception of the Estate Reserve)

       Murto Reserve -  Drink

       Wahle Reserve - Drink

       Estate Reserve -  Drink/Hold (half over the next year or two,                                                   go "long" on the other half)

 1999 Pinot Noirs

     Showing well on their 10th birthday, but still taste like very young wines.  Pull a cork or two if you must, but there are many other great choices for drinking today, so I'd advise letting these rest.

       Murto Reserve -  Hold

       Wahle Reserve - Hold

       Cuvee Mystere - Drink/Hold

2000 Pinot Noirs

    Delicious...at their peaks...enjoy!

      Murto Reserve -  Drink

      Wahle Reserve -  Drink

      Estate Reserve - Drink/Hold (showing very well...drink half, cafe half until it's 10th birthday or later)

2001 Pinot Noirs

    Drinking beautifully now, probably at or near their peaks, not much to be gained by holding much longer.

      Murto Reserve -  Drink

      Wahle Reserve -  Drink

      Estate Reserve - Drink/Hold

2002 Pinot Noirs

    Showing reasonably well, but at this point leave then be until their 10th birthday...I'm betting that these wines will be even better a few years from now...they are always best on the second or third day

      Murto Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Wahle Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Belle Pente Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Estate Reserve - Hold

2003 Pinot Noirs

    Big, luscious wines that can be enjoyed now with hearty fare, but still a year or two away from their peaks.

      Murto Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Belle Pente Vineyard - Drink (if you also have Estate Reserve)

                 Hold (if you don't)

      Estate Reserve - Drink/Hold

2004 Pinot Noirs

    Although still young, these wines are pretty delicious now...if you're holding reasonable quantities, it makes sense to pull a few corks.

      Murto Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Belle Pente Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Estate Reserve - Hold

2005 Pinot Noirs

    If this is all you have in the cellar, and have more than a few bottles, these wines can certainly be enjoyed now...but I would certainly drink '03 & '04 first.

      Murto Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Belle Pente Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Estate Reserve - Hold

2006 Pinot Noirs

    These are pretty enjoyable now, and I'd certainly drink these before the 2005. Enjoy some now, but save some as well

      Murto Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Belle Pente Vineyard - Drink/Hold

      Estate Reserve - Hold

 

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