Compact right now, this Pinot has fine depth and a unique character. Offers a cherry, smoke and leather bouquet and displays dried cherry, licorice and mineral flavors along with a distinct chalk dust feel in the mouth and on the finish. Solid tannins and the fine depth of fruit indicate that two or three years cellaring are merited. ——M.M.(12/1/2000)—— 90

Review unavailable at this time——W.E.(10/1/1999)—— 86

According to Don Kautezner, 1995 was the second most difficult vintage he has faced in his 15 years as Adelsheim's winemaker (the worst was 1984, where rot, combined with unripened grapes, made Oregon winemakers feel as if they were participants in a Steven King horror novel). There was so much rot on the grapes in '95 that sorting was carried out in the vineyards by hand prior to destemming. Carrying the harvest back to the winery was not an option for Kautezner as the rot-infested grapes would infect the few healthy ones. The sorting paid off as both the Seven Springs and Elizabeth's Reserve bottlings show no signs of off flavors (the regular bottling does have some disturbing scents and flavors). I tasted two of Adelsheim's '94s when I visited the estate in May and was tremendously impressed at their evolution over the past year. The ruby-colored 1994 Polk County Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir reveals an enticing nose of raspberries, cherries and minerals as well as a beautifully elegant, medium-bodied and silky personality possessing an outstanding purity of fruit flavors (ripe cherries and tangy currants) that linger on its admirable finish. Anticipated maturity: 1998-2002. Tel. (503) 538-3652.

The 1993 Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir possesses a dark ruby color, and a tight but attractive nose of earth, spice, wood, and strawberry/black-cherry fruit. Medium-bodied, with fine flavor extraction, and moderately high tannin (which dominates at present), this clean, well-flavored, spicy wine can be drunk now and over the next 5-7 years. Both the 1993 Elizabeth's Reserve and Seven Springs Vineyard were impressive from cask, and although they are slightly closed and backward from bottle, they are textbook examples of Oregon Pinot Noir from two different terroirs.Tel. (503) 538-3652

The 1992 Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard offers a dark ruby color, and a superb nose of black-cherry fruit intertwined with scents of wood, earth, spice, and smoked meats. Deep, medium to full-bodied, with excellent purity, balance, and nicely integrated acidity and tannin, this is a beautifully made Pinot that should drink well young but age well for 7-9 years.There are some exciting new Pinot Noirs emerging from Adelsheim. The outstanding 1992 Pinot Noir offerings are among the top wines of that vintage.The quality of Dave Adelsheim's wines continues to move from strength to strength. The newest releases are the strongest group of wines to emerge from this highly respected Oregon producer. With Pinots this delicious, Burgundians better wake up! Bravo to owner David Adelsheim and winemaker Don Kautezner!Tel. (503) 538-3652.