The 2005 Pinot Noir Emary is more deeply colored than the preceding wines. The nose is reticent but there is more stuffing on the palate, enough to provide the wine with balance. Even so, the lack of depth kept my score down. Drink this elegant wine over the next 3-4 years.
Willakenzie Estate has substantial holdings of 105 acres, including 20 acres in Dundee. The winery’s release policy typically finds them running a vintage behind their Willamette colleagues. The current wines include the entry level 2006 Pinot Noir with all the rest coming from the more challenging 2005 vintage. Taken in that context, they are some of the more successful wines of 2005.
Tel. (503) 662-5026; www.willakenzie.com