The 2008 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvee adds additional complexity both aromatically and on the palate. Notes of smoke, cherry blossom, spice box, raspberry, and cranberry lead to a medium-bodied wine with layered flavors, plenty of spice, excellent volume, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. This lengthy Pinot should be at its best from 2012 to 2020. Sokol Blosser was established in 1971 making it one of the pioneer wineries of Willamette Valley. However, their wines had not been reviewed in this journal since 2002 when they decided to no longer submit samples to critics. When I learned that they had changed their position I arranged a visit to the winery located in the Dundee Hills AVA. The next generation is now operating the winery with siblings Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser having succeeded their parents. Production stands at 65,000 cases, about half of which is their extraordinarily successful Evolution white blend. Sokol Blosser releases their wines later than most so that 2007 is the current vintage. Sokol Blosser's 2008s are all in bottle and, not surprisingly, a significant step above the 2007s (a statement which applies to almost every Willamette Valley producer - although many 2007s seem to have gained weight over the last year).www.sokolblosser.com

Great entry, soft and seductive, with cherry and chocolate, but it dies quickly, fading into a delicate malted milk flavor. Re-tasted after being open for several hours, it had gained a little flesh, retained the milk chocolate flavors, but still seemed to need more bottle age to soften up the finish. ——P.G.(3/1/2011)—— 90