The ADEA 2009 Pinot Noir Dean-O’s seems to betray some of the desiccation that overtook many crops in this vintage as it is slightly puckering in tannin – if nonetheless retaining a welcome modicum of primary juiciness – and dominated by flavors of dried cherry and cranberry. Hints of sealing wax introduce a fascinating, penetrating, and rather mature note. This is a more than solid – even if not terribly complex – effort, with fine sweetly-fruited persistence. I would however plant to pair it carefully and do so within the next 2-3 years. A former jet mechanic, Dean Fischer planted his first Pinot vines in the Northwestern Willamette Valley in 1990 and began limited production under his family name in 1995. In 2002, he went full-time, re-branded (using the initials of four family members) and acquired his own facility, where his daughter Erica is now involved as full-time assistant. The ADEA wines display distinctive personalities and admirable qualitative consistency. I’ll be especially interested to taste the most recent vintages of their estate Pinot, which on this occasion they were only willing to present in its impressive 2008 rendition.Tel. (503) 662-4509