We had a three-pinot night the other night with a representative from each of three major pinot growing areas: California, Oregon and Burgundy.
2015 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
The dark marionberry fruit this showed two years ago has segued into a softer, warmer wine showing the ripeness of the vintage. There's a hint of iodine in the distance with cherry and spearmint, and notably none of the spice one hopes for from Russian River fruit. Nice enough but drink up, this isn't going to get better.
2018 Domaine du Prieuré Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Bright, sweet and polished/modern. If you had to guess blind (sans producer names) which of these three was the Burgundy, this would not be your pick. Can't recall who talked me into buying these, but I'm sorry about it now.
2017 Stoller Pinot Noir Helen's Dundee Hills
Zero community notes on CT? How is it possible that no one has drunk this excellent pinot? Taupe-y red color. Fairly evolved with cherry, canned tomato, anise seed and geranium leaf. Almost gamayish but that's okay, it drinks beautifully. And it adds more fuel to my growing suspicion that if I had to settle for one winery in Oregon and forsake all others, Stoller would be my choice. I'm relatively new to their stuff compared to long experience with others, but I just love their style.