http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboardPosts on the Bulletin Board by Wine Advocate ReviewersWine CommentaryCopyright 2009, eRobertParker.com, LLC240[QUOTE=Brad Merrill]I'll chime in to agree with Jay's comparison of 2008 with 1999 for Oregon. Both fruit, fragrance, and should see some elegance emerging. (It's hard for barrel samples to seem delicate) Jay, I really think that one must already love Pinot and appreciate the spareness of Burgundy, to get much out of 2007 Oregon. But if you really think they are that good, how do you project them to develop? Will they soften their tannic edges?[/QUOTE] I'll have a better overall picture of 2007 after this weekend when I taste the samples collected for me at Beaux-Freres. I do think that the 2007s will evolve. They have the balance to improve for several years and the tannins should ultimately integrate in many of them. I'll have a complete overview probably in October. MrBigJ<br>(author: Jay Stuart Miller)http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?p=2687402#post2687402http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?p=2687402#post2687402Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:22:48 GMTI have just completed my sixth day tasting in Willamette Valley, having visited over 25 wineries tasting bottled 2007s and barrel samples of 2008. A couple of observations (with the caveat that up to now I have primarily been in the cellars of upper echelon producers). 1. Most of the 2007s have turned out well, making the transition from barrel to bottle very nicely. They are very spicy aromatically (a characteristic of a cool year), have moderate alcohol in the 13% range, lively acidity, and more than enough fruit to cover the structure. The better wines are likely to evolve for several years. They are the sort of Pinot Noirs that Burgundy lovers are likely to enjoy. 2. 2008 appears to be a potentially outstanding vintage. The two common denominators are exceptionally fragrant aromatics and succulent fruit, not a bad combination. They have plenty of finesse in combination with excellent depth of flavor and complexity. Most veteran [i]vignerons [/i]liken the vintage to 1999. MrBigJ<br>(author: Jay Stuart Miller)http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?p=2687347#post2687347http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?p=2687347#post2687347Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:43:41 GMT