The 2005 Pinot Noir “Guadalupe Vineyard” is made in a forward, elegant style. All components are harmonious in this racy effort. Of all the Pinots in the portfolio, this is the one I’d choose to drink first while the others continue to evolve. Ken Wright has a Syrah/Claret project under the Tyrus Evans label. The fruit is sourced from southern Oregon and eastern Washington. I tasted four wines, all of them outstanding. I list them without tasting notes: 2004 Claret “Del Rio Vineyard – 90; 2004 Claret “Ciel du Cheval Vineyard” – 91; 2005 Syrah, Walla Walla – 92; 2005 Syrah “Del Rio Vineyard” – 90+. Ken Wright Cellars has long been one of the reference points for Pinot Noir fanatics. Ken Wright is the ultimate terroirist, stating on his web site (which I highly recommend reading) that the value of Pinot Noir is that it is the perfect vehicle for expressing the characteristics of the site in which it is grown. He says that the secret to making great Pinot Noir is “?learning how to farm. Every vineyard has its own issues.” Tel. (800) 571-6825; www.kenwrightcellars.com. Also tasted: 2005 Pinot Blanc (91), 2005 Chardonnay “Celilo Vineyard” (93)

This vineyard is still transitioning through a bout of phylloxera, yet still manages to produce a lovely Pinot with rich, fleshy flavors. The balance is perfect, a testament to Ken Wright’s exceptional winemaking talent, and the young, spicy fruit is compact and pleasantly herbal. It lacks some of the complexity of the older vine wines, but packs plenty of compressed power.——P.G.(4/1/2007)—— 90