11 • 2005 Domaine Serene Grace Vineyard Pinot Noir, $125
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This Domaine Serene pinot hails from Dundee Hills, the heart of Oregon wine country.
Taste Broad shouldered, slightly spicy, bright carnation scents, and rich berry flavors.
Sip tip To fully reveal herself, the 2005 Grace needs six or seven years in the cellar.
Cellar life 10+
12 • 2005 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, $115
Columbia Valley, Washington
Quilceda Creek cabs are the only Washington wines to receive 100 points from premier wine writer Robert Parker (he of the insured nose).
Taste Elevated alcohol, and a rich concentration of fruit.
Sip tip In 2013 pop it open after your own overachiever’s valedictorian speech.
Cellar life 5+
13 • 2005 Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen Eroica Single Berry Select Riesling, $200
Columbia Valley, Washington
This riesling is sold by the half bottle and has 40 percent residual sugar.
Taste Typical butterscotch scents of “noble rot” botrytis; an enticing unctuous texture.
Sip tip It’s delicious with sweets and will last at least 20 years, so save it for cake on your next big birthday.
Cellar life 10+
14 • 2006 Dobbes Family Estate Meyer Vineyard Pinot Noir, $65
Dundee Hills, Oregon
The fruit grows at a site owned by Lemelson Vineyards, whose earth-friendly methods are certified by Oregon Tilth.
Taste Bright red fruit and plenty of refreshing acidity.
Sip tip Impress green pals at your next dinner party with a glass of Meyer and a free-range roasted bird.
Cellar life 5+
15 • 2006 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc Sauvignon Blanc–Sémillon Blend, $32
Columbia Valley, Washington
A Woodinville wine that recalls the famous dry whites from Pessac-Léognan in Bordeaux, France.
Taste Expansive, creamy; varietally typical crisp celery and ripe fig flavors; vanilla character.
Sip tip In 2012, when President ______ wraps up his term, Chaleur Estate’s flavors will have fully intensified.
Cellar life 5+
16 • 2005 Ash Hollow Estate Syrah, $32
Walla Walla, Washington
Reminiscent of Syrahs from the Cornas region of France’s Rhône Valley, this wine reads about as American as John Kerry in his spandex bicycle gear.
Taste Smoked meats, overlaid with the faint smell of (ahem) ashtray.
Sip tip It’ll mature over the next five years, but can you wait that long to try an ashtray-scented wine?
Cellar life 5+
17 • 2005 DeLille Cellars D2 Merlot–Cabernet Sauvignon, $38
Columbia Valley, Washington
D2 is named after Bordeaux’s most famous highway, which passes by some of the world’s best wineries.
Taste Plush plum flavors; tastes of new French oak barrels.
Sip tip Carnivores will love the way this wine holds its own against a meaty ragù.
Cellar life 10+
18 • 2005 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Laurène Pinot Noir, $65
Dundee Hills, Oregon
The family that makes this rich pinot also owns the famous Maison Joseph Drouhin label in Burgundy, France.
Taste Berry character; judicious use of new, toasty French oak barrels.
Sip tip When your Napa buddy challenges Oregon’s place as home to the best pinots in the States, hand them a glass of this.
Cellar life 10+
19 • 2006 Archery Summit Arcus Estate Pinot Noir, $100
Dundee Hills, Oregon
Made with fruit grown on some of the oldest vines in the Central Willamette Valley, this wine is somewhere in between the light, ethereal version of Oregon pinot noir and the dark, extracted one.
Taste Typical Dundee Hills red fruit flavors and carnation floral scents; well-integrated vanilla notes developed from the use of oak barrels; good palate persistence.
Sip tip If you’re going to pay three-digit prices, wait it out a decade or so. You’ll be richly rewarded.
Cellar life 10+
20 • 2005 Basel Cellars Inspired Merlot–Cabernet Franc, $40
Columbia Valley, Washington
A wine of near-perfect balance, Inspired is equal parts merlot and cab franc, like Chateau Cheval Blanc, the most highly ranked of such blends.
Taste Spicy, rich; currant, pepper, and cedar notes.
Sip tip Serve to your friends who banned merlot after watching Sideways.
Cellar life 10+
Published: September 2008
