Made from grapes from the oldest part of Chehalem’s property, the 2013 Ridgecrest Pinot is elegant – there is depth and tension but overall, this is a plush, pretty wine. Picked Oct 6-11, after the rain event that threw some Willamette producers for a loop, the grapes were able to ripen enough to show red fruit and velvety texture while maintaining brightness. This style is somewhat linear with a dusty finish, a beautiful example of earthy Pinot from a colder climate. This is winemaker Wynn’s favorite vineyard, and she even had stories of sleeping there as a child. After tasting it in Oregon, Ridgecrest was my favorite too, even without the camping experience.