The 2009 Pinot Noir Valois Reserve is a selection of the best barrels in the cellar encompassing all of the clones in the vineyard. It was fermented with native yeasts using 30% whole clusters with ML in barrel followed by 10 months aging in second use French oak. Fragrant cherry and spice notes inform the nose of a sweetly-fruited, velvety-textured, elegant offering that has the balance to evolve for 1-2 years. It will provide optimum drinking through 2019 if not longer. Bishop Creek Cellars began planting in 1988 but did not produce their first vintage until 1999. They continue to sell grapes while producing about 1000 cases annually under their own label.www.bishopcreekcellars.com

The 2008 Pinot Noir Valois Reserve Estate Vineyard was made with 30% whole clusters and aged in 30% new oak for 11 months. Medium ruby red, it gives up an already complex bouquet of spicy red fruits, Asian spices, incense, and smoke. Mouth-filling, rich, yet light on its feet, it deftly combines elegance with power. This lengthy offering has a drinking window that will extend from 2013 to 2023. Tel. (503) 487-6934

The 2007 Pinot Noir Valois Reserve was made with 25% whole clusters and aged in 30% new oak. Cherry red in color, the nose displays cinnamon, allspice, toast, and assorted red fruits. Firm on the palate with enough savory fruit to balance the tannin, this lengthy effort will continue to blossom with an additional 1-2 years of bottle age and drink well through 2017. The Bishop Creek wines are produced from estate fruit.Tel. (503) 957-0351

The 2006 Pinot Noir Valois Reserve includes 30% stems, something seen infrequently in the modern era. Dark ruby-colored, it reveals an excellent perfume of spice box, cedar, cherry, and black raspberry. This is followed by a wine with good density, ripe, succulent black cherry and black raspberry flavors, excellent concentration, and a persistent, fruit-filled finish. It will evolve for 2-3 years and be at its best from 2010 to 2018. Bishop Creek maintains its offices and tasting room in Portland at Urban Wineworks East. The vineyard, located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, was originally planted in 1988, and currently has 14 acres in production with more to come.Tel. (503) 957-0351