Tiny production wines of extraordinary quality - Pinot collectors treasure them. Ayoub and de Lancellotti are both tiny vineyards, producing lavishly elegant and refined Pinot noirs. Of the new Oregon Pinot producers, two to collect before the world finds out.

Ayoub Pinot noir 06 $47.95/$43.16

Fresh blackberry, black raspberry, and black cherry scents rule in the nose, with sweet black stone and berry fruit flavors following through in the mouth. Smooth, silky tannins bolster heaps of fresh, fresh fruit and a just discernable, sophisticated acidity heightens and lengthens the long, layered finish. Hints of minerals, slate, and a lilting violet floral element add to the mix.

This is the third vintage of the Ayoub Pinot noir we've offered. The 2006 shows a multiplicity of flavors and intricate hints of fruit, mineral, spice, and floral elements. Ayoub Vineyard's vines are clearly maturing, yielding aPinot with every bit as much sweet fruit as before, but with an additional level of quality that separates this site from others.

de Lancellotti Pinot noir 05 $64.95/58.45

de Lancellotti Family Vineyard is owned byPaul and Kendall de Lancellotti. Kendall is Josh Bergstrom's sister, and the two wineries share facilities and grapes. Bergstrom makes a de Lancellotti Pinot noir under the Bergstrom label, while Paul de Lancellotti and Josh make the de Lancellotti VIneyard Pinot noir at Bergstrom's facility. The vineyard is next to Bergstrom's winery and tasting room.

We adore this wine. Lovely, pure Pinot noir aromas are of brambly black fruits and violets, with hints of vanilla bean. Silky yet juicy, the black berries and black cherries burst in your mouth, while the sweet fruit hangs beautifully on the mid-palate and reappears on the lengthy finish, mingling with subtle notes of earth, tarragon, and white pepper. Planted in 2001, this vineyard is already expressing its unique terroir.

The de Lancellotti 05 is most delicate wine we've tasted from this vineyard and we love it. A fascinating and subtle Pinot that shows a different side of the de Lancelotti Vineyard.

Wine Spectator gave this wine 91 points, saying: "Ripe, fruity and dense, wityh a dried berry edge to the plum and currant flavors, finishing with a spicy note. Has density, but not excessive weight. best from 2008 through 2015. 150 cases made." H.S.

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Marcus, Amy, Kevin, and Wendy, and Jean
541-752-7418

Avalon Wine
201 SW 2nd Street
Corvallis OR 97333
541-752-7418
www.avalonwine.com
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541-752-7418

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