The 2006 Pinot Noir Prince Hill, from a vineyard owned by Dick Erath, was aged for 15 months in 40% new French oak. The nose reveals cedar, spice box, cherry, and raspberry leading to a forward, sweetly fruited, smooth-textured wine meant for near-term drinking, now and over the next four years. Erath Winery is one of Oregon’s pioneers with its first vintage occurring in 1972. Dick Erath sold the winery to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates recently but remains the largest grower for the winery (which owns no vineyards). Current production is at 125,000 cases with the Oregon Pinot Noir bottling accounting for almost two-thirds of that total. www.erath.com

An improvement over the 2005 Prince Hill from Erath, this new release is softer, more lushly fruited and better balanced. The buttery oak and silky tannins support pretty, plummy fruit; the wine feels soft and yet is knit together with enough structure to avoid becoming amorphous.——P.G.(11/15/2008)—— 90