In 1993 the bartender at the now-defunct French restaurant where I waited table graduated from Reed College in Portland, and he knew about Oregon pinot. He convinced the owner to put Eyrie Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on the wine list, and this was my first experience with Oregon wine. My favorite recent vintage is 2001.

It was, in fact, closed down, but even so, this clear dark purple wine exhibited the finesse, depth, mix of clean fruit, forest, and animal flavors and the balance of a fine Burgundy from the Cote de Nuits. No awards for complexity, but very solid Pinot. I find it hard to share notes about every wine that I enjoy.