I have to say, it's refreshing when a winery is honest about what they have produced in a bottle of wine. Such is the case with the folks at Beacon Hill, whose label and web site describe the Beacon Hill 2007 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley (13%) in a manner that is consistent with what I experienced:

Lightish, nice color, black cherry/ blackberry, poco brick spice. Rose petals, short finish, nice, clean, elegant. This is our only wine made from purchased fruit, with a dash of our own berries to add a little stuffing. Simple and bright in the best way, with spicy black cherry flavors enlivened by a compelling note of rose petals, the finish is clean and elegant. A beautiful Pinot for more casual moments. Not an ager, this wine is delicious right now.

In the glass, the Beacon Hill '07 pinot noir is a clear light garnet color providing notes of red and black fruit with hints of dusty earth. As the folks at Beacon Hill divulge, this is a middle of the road Oregon pinot noir, a wine that is not going to blow you away nor is it going to turn you off.

To put it succinctly, it's average. That's not say that is was bad, just average fruit, acidity, and finish. Nothing spectacular but then again nothing disappointing. At $19, it was a decent red table wine to enjoy now, one that I might even pick up another bottle for one of those "casual moments". Again, my hats off to the folks at Beacon Hill for them being open and honest about their product.

Related Links
Beacon Hill Web Site