The 2005 Pinot Noir Estate “Flat Block Reserve” is from a site planted to the Pommard clone in 1979. It is a less generous wine with a firm structure and a slightly hard finish, lacking the depth of fruit to cover the elevated acidity and tannin. This is a wine to drink near term while there is still fruit. The fact the Casteel Reserve stands out from the pack (at least for this taster) raises the obvious question about blending vs. terroir. The eight Bethel Heights Pinot Noirs have far more in common than they do differences making me wonder what justifies eight separate cuvees. As a consumer, I’d rather have more Casteel. And it is, after all, essentially from one (slightly larger) terroir reflecting the Eola Hills - Amity AVA.Bethel Heights Vineyard is one of Oregon’s pioneer producers. The winery was founded in 1977 and the first vintage was in 1984. Currently, 70% of the wine comes from estate grown fruit and production stands at 13,000 cases. In addition to Pinot Noir, Bethel Heights also makes excellent Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Chardonnay.Tel. (503) 581-2262; www.bethelheights.com. Also tasted: 2006 Pinot Gris (88), 2006 Pinot Blanc (87), 2006 Chardonnay “Quercus” (89)