According to Don Kautezner, 1995 was the second most difficult vintage he has faced in his 15 years as Adelsheim's winemaker (the worst was 1984, where rot, combined with unripened grapes, made Oregon winemakers feel as if they were participants in a Steven King horror novel). There was so much rot on the grapes in '95 that sorting was carried out in the vineyards by hand prior to destemming. Carrying the harvest back to the winery was not an option for Kautezner as the rot-infested grapes would infect the few healthy ones. The sorting paid off as both the Seven Springs and Elizabeth's Reserve bottlings show no signs of off flavors (the regular bottling does have some disturbing scents and flavors). Adelsheim's top cuvee, the Elizabeth's Reserve Pinot Noir is crafted from one of Oregon's oldest vineyards (planted in 1973). Aged in 33% new oak barrels, this wine displays a brilliant ruby color as well as a perfumed and red berry-laced nose. It possesses a medium-to-full body and tightly wound core of dark fruit, smoky bacon and herbs that is hidden behind a shell of hard tannin. Drink it between 2000-2004. Tel. (503) 538-3652.