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Living in the heart of Washington's wine country provides an opportunity to taste a lot of fine wines, especially reds.

Great Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Syrahs and the occasional Cabernet Franc, Lemberger and Sangiovese are routinely served at my house.

What's not routinely served are Pinot Noirs, the great red wine of Burgundy.

So it was with keen anticipation that I took part in Wine Press Northwest magazine's pinot noir tasting in March at Willamette Valley Vineyards near Salem, Ore.

Willamette Valley is the mecca of pinot noir for the Pacific Northwest and has gained an international reputation for this variety.

A total of 141 Pinots were tasted by a panel of five. Most of the wines came from Oregon, a few from the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and the occasional one from Washington and Idaho.

Pinot Noir grapes prefer a slightly cooler moist climate.

Some of my favorites:

Montinore Vineyards, 1999 Parson's Ridge, Willamette Valley, $30 - A well-integrated wine showing nice spice and berry aromas, mouth-filling flavors, great structure and a lengthy berry finish. Superb tannins and a nice, spicy ending make this a keeper or a wine to savor now.

Elk Cove 1999 Reserve, Oregon, $60 - Heavy toast, dark inky colors. Blockbuster aromas of black pepper and blackberries. Rich, jammy flavors including chocolate and tobacco. This should age well thanks to ample tannins.

Benton-Lane Winery 1999 Reserve, Oregon, $30 - Sweet vanilla aromas with forward juicy black fruit. A layered, full-bodied red wine with terrific finish.

Chateau Benoit 2000 Yamhill Spring, Willamette Valley, $40 - Great structure with vanilla aromas, bright berry fruit and ripe components. Spicy, jammy fruit.

Amity Vineyards 1998 Winemakers Reserve, Willamette Valley, $40 - Nice cherry and oak aromas. Delicious jam and toast flavors with a touch of raspberries. Smooth as silk with great acids to match well with either alder-smoked salmon or sirloin steak.

Bridgeview Vineyards 2000 Blue Moon, Oregon, $17 - Complex aromas including toast. Pleasing berry flavors and a silky, lasting finish.

Amity Vineyards 1999 Sunnyside Vineyard, Willamette Valley, $30 - Lovely berry and cherry aromas seductively lure you to cherry flavors and a layered, long finish.

Willamette Valley Vineyards 1998 Founder's Reserve, Willamette Valley, $27 - Delicate, nicely balanced sweet oak and fruit. Tastes of currants, herbs and bold dried black fruit.

Erath Vineyard 2000, Oregon, $15 - A best buy. Loaded with strawberry and cherry aromas along with oak. Mouth-filling smooth, complex flavors of ripe fruit.

Elk Cove Vineyards 2000 Willamette Valley, $20 - European old oak aromas. Very toasty with huge ripe fruit and coffee flavors.

Rex Hill Vineyards 2000 Willamette Valley, $24 - The charms of this wine grow on you. Silky mouth feel, fruity complexities and a pleasant oak and fruit beginning.

Adelsheim Vineyards 1999 Bryan Creek Vineyards, Willamette Valley, $45 - Huge pepper, spice and toasty oak aromas. Dense layered blackberry flavors and a soft mouth feel.

Bob Woehler has been writing about grapes and wines of the Pacific Northwest since 1978. His columns appear twice monthly in the Tri-City Herald in Tri-Cities, Wash. and in Wine Press Northwest.

Send e-mail to Bob Woehler

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