This is Oregon Pinot from the Columbia Gorge AVA. This new region is still defining itself, but on first blush it’s warmer, with more ripe, sweet strawberry fruit and very little of the herbal, resiny, tomato leaf character of most Oregon Pinots in this price range. This is sweet, jammy, spicy and thick, with fruit compote flavors dominating.——P.G.(4/1/2008)—— 88