BELLE PENTE

Vineyard & Winery

Cellar Recommendations

Last updated 11-July 2011

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, which still seems very young!)

 Murto Reserve -  Drink

 Wahle Reserve -  Drink

 Estate Reserve -  Drink/Hold

 1999 Pinot Noirs

 Showing well, but still taste like 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

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

Starting to really show their stuff in recent tasting.  However, at this point I recommend leaving them alone until their 10th birthday.

Murto Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Wahle Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Estate Reserve -  Hold

2003 Pinot Noirs

Big, luscious wines from a warm vintage that appear to be nearing their peaks.  There are better vintages to hold...

Murto Vineyard -  Drink

Belle Pente Vineyard -  Drink

Estate Reserve -  Drink/Hold

2004 Pinot Noirs

Showing very nicely at that "magical" 6 years from vintage, but no rush to drink.

Murto Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Estate Reserve -  Hold

2005 Pinot Noirs

Since this was a year with a very small crop for us, we didn't save many of these wines, so do not drink them on a regular basis, and have little recent experience.  My sense is that these should be held, though, for another couple of years.

Murto Vineyard -  Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard - Hold

Estate Reserve -  Hold

2006 Pinot Noirs

Ripe, luscious wines that have been delightful since release, and continue to be so!

Murto Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Estate Reserve -  Hold

2007 Pinot Noirs

These wines really began to show their charm around 9 months ago, and continue to evolve very nicely.  Their low alcohol levels make them a joy at the table.  Enjoy some now and save some for later.

Murto Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard -  Drink/Hold

Estate Reserve -  Hold

2008 Pinot Noirs

Since I know you won't listen to me anyway, I'm going to tell you to HOLD all of the 2008 wines.  No, they don't really suck now, but these are wines of impeccable balance that will outlive most of us, and really deserve to spend at least a few years in the cellar to evolve.  I promise, you won't be sorry!

Murto Vineyard - Hold

Belle Pente Vineyard - Hold

Estate Reserve -  Not yet released