Two pinots on a Saturday night:
2017 Beacon Hill Estate Pinot Noir La Sierra Dundee Hills
First time for me with this winery. Brownish red color with roasted cherries and bay leaf on both nose and palate, hints of tobacco and licorice on the finish. Not classic Oregon but very pleasant, and IMO at peak.
2017 Dutton Estate Pinot Noir Karmen Isabella Dutton Ranch Russian River Valley
A PnP. Dark in color with concentrated earth, beet and black plum skin amid the traditional cherry/berry pinot fruit and spice. Texturally closer to rustic than elegant. Enjoyable, just atypical.
Took this to a Happy Hour planning meeting last week:
2017 Buty Cabernet Sauvignon Beast Phinny Hill Vineyard Horse Heaven Hills
Ripe and expressive blackberry fruit with a little espresso--typical Washington cabernet in a new world style--yet very primary (not surprising, considering the magnum bottle size). Too sweet for me but perfect for a group thing where people have new world palates and don't really examine what they drink too closely.