Benton Lane Pinot Noir 2009

Wine Advocate 90
"The 2009 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley of which there are over 19,000 cases. Savory, ripe, and tasty, it is an easy-to-understand, crowd-pleaser of a Pinot that delivers plenty of cherry and raspberry fruit. Drink it over the next 6 years."~JM

Benton Lane, located in the southern tip of Willamette Valley closer to Eugene than Portland, is owned and operated by Napa Valley ex-pat, Steve Girard. His Estate Pinot Noir has long been recognized for its excellent price/quality ratio as well as for its distinctive postage stamp label which makes it stand out on a retail shelf.

Wine Spectator 89
"Light and tangy, with raspberry and white pepper notes mingling with floral character on the vivid finish, polished smooth. Drink now through 2015. 19,823 cases made."~HS

Benton-Lane Winery was founded by lifelong winemakers Steve and Carol Girard. It was silky, spicy Oregon Pinot that convinced them to move from Napa Valley to the tenderloin of The Willamette Valley where they planted their sustainably grown vines in a historic sheep ranch. In addition to their sinfully sexy Pinot Noir, they produce a fruity, crisp Pinot Gris, a deep, aromatic Pinot Blanc and rich, velvety Chardonnay.