The 2006 Pinot Noir Estate Selection is a blend of five vineyards. Medium ruby-colored, it offers aromas of strawberry and cherry, soft tannins, and an easy-going personality. The flavors are savory but the wine is in need of complexity. 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

Light and supple, this pleasant effort is several cuts above the more generic Oregon bottling. Aged in French oak, 40% of it new, the pretty blackberry and black cherry fruit is washed with light, buttery toast. It’s well-modulated and balanced.——P.G.(12/15/2008)—— 86