Reserve

Decanter

2006: 4 Stars. "One of the original Oregon heroes: great terroir, truthful, non-flashy winemaking. A glass makes you want the bottle, the bottle makes you want another. Very few Oregon Pinots can do that. Now-2013." (June 1, 2009)

Report on Evolution of Oregon Wines Tasting

2006: "Dark Crimson. Looks pretty youthful! Real poise on the wine. Willamette sweetness plus structure. Pretty snazzy. Complete, even in full throttle, super-ripe 2006 mode." – Jancis Robinson (August 1, 2009)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2006: 92 "The 2006 Reserve is Elk Cove's show stopper...Medium/dark ruby colored, the aromas are an amalgam of red and black fruits, earth notes, and mineral. On the palate the wine is seamless but structured, an elegant effort with no hard edges. The favors are concentrated and the wine has ecellent persistence." – Robert Parker (November 1, 2008)

1999: 90 "... dark ruby-colored ... chocolate, licorice and black fruit-scented... a dense and intense wine." – Pierre Rovani (July 31, 2001)

Wine & Spirits

2006: 91 (December 1, 2008)

Wine Enthusiast

2006: 93 "This wine explodes from the glass with aromatic scents of caramel, cherry, sweet grain and many more nuanced layers. This is the wine you pull out for a special occasion. The flavors are beautifully integrated, a rolling mix of berries, spicy herbs, wood, earth, and caramel." – Paul Gregutt (November 15, 2008)

2002: 90 Buying Guide. (October 31, 2004)

Wine Spectator

2008: 92 "Crisp in texture and tightly wound, with a strong mineral note running through the dark berry and licorice flavors, which linger easily on the beautifully refined finish. Drink now through 2015." – Harvey Steiman (August 18, 2010)

2006: 93 "Rich, ripe, and expressive, offering a mouthful of dark plum, golden raspberry and even a hint of apricot as the finish comes together and lingers against refined tannins. This is beautifully focused with depth and distinctiveness." – Harvey Steiman (August 1, 2008)

[Tanzer] International Wine Cellar

2008: 93 "Bright ruby. Pungent, intensely spicy bouquet of raspberry and blackberry preserves, potpourri, wilted rose and cola, with a suave vanilla quality in the background. Juicy, penetrating red berry preserve flavors blend richness and vivacity smoothly and show an open-knit, sweet character. Supple tannins arrive late and add focus and grip to the impressively long, spicy finish. Drinkable now with a little air, but this really deserves a few years of patience." – Josh Raynolds (July 1, 2010)

2006: 93 "Brooding aromas of cherry compote, blackberry, dried rose, and smoky minerals. Impressively concentrated dark fruit flavors are energized by tangy cherry skin and firmed by fine-grained tannins. Slowly opens with air and finishes with strong cherry-cola...outstanding persisitence." – Stephen Tanzer (May 1, 2009)