BELLE PENTE

Vineyard & Winery

Cellar Recommendations

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 (delicious lighter-styled wine - this is our current "house wine" at Belle Pente)

 Murto Reserve - Drink

 Estate Reserve - Drink/Hold (starting to reach maturity)

 1998 Pinot Noirs

 Showing very well...still fresh & young, but not much to be gained by holding longer (with the exception of Esate Reserve)

 Murto Reserve -  Drink

 Wahle Reserve - Drink

 Estate Reserve -  Drink/Hold (decant)

 1999 Pinot Noirs

 Shese wines have been shut down for a few years, but seem to be emerging from their shells...give one a try soon.

 Murto Reserve -  Drink/Hold

 Wahle Reserve - Drink/Hold

 Cuvee Mystere - Drink (not likely to evolve further)

2000 Pinot Noirs

Delicious, and starting to show signs of fading. Drink now.

 Murto Reserve - Drink

 Wahle Reserve -  Drink

 Estate Reserve -  Drink/Hold (starting to reach maturity)

2001 Pinot Noirs

Starting to shine, but may evolve further

Murto Reserve -  Drink/Hold

Wahle Reserve -  Drink/Hold

Estate Reserve - Drink/Hold

2002 Pinot Noirs

Recent experiences have been mixed...some awesome, some disappointing ...in general, I think these wines really will benefit from more time...let 'em rest.

Murto Vineyard - Hold

Wahle Vineyard - Drink/Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard - 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/Hold

Estate Reserve - Hold

2004 Pinot Noirs

I become a bigger fan of this vintage with every cork I pull...although quite compelling now, these wines deserve some time in the cellar.

Murto Vineyard - Drink/Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard - Drink/Hold

Estate Reserve - Hold