The 2005 Triple Black Slopes is dark ruby-colored with aromas of cedar, spice box, black cherry, and cassis. There is enough red fruit to balance the wine’s firm structure but this is a wine to drink over the next several years while the fruit holds.
Willakenzie Estate has substantial holdings of 105 acres, including 20 acres in Dundee. The winery’s release policy typically finds them running a vintage behind their Willamette colleagues. The current wines include the entry level 2006 Pinot Noir with all the rest coming from the more challenging 2005 vintage. Taken in that context, they are some of the more successful wines of 2005.
Tel. (503) 662-5026; www.willakenzie.com