Way back when, once I started receiving sample bottles of wine to review, I made a simple vow: I would try and evaluate every bottle I received. At the time, it did not seem like that big of a deal since I would receive maybe ten bottles a month.

The monthly total is considerably higher these days, but I have tried to stay true to that vow, which can be a little trying. Over the last few weeks, before I head to Oregon for the rest of the month, I have made a push to get somewhere close to “caught up” with my samples (I am about three and a half months behind at this point).

There is an additional issue: often suppliers send two bottles of the same wine (essentially, it is sent in case the first bottle is flawed in some way). I also try to taste those second bottles as well as wine can obviously change over time and even be different bottle to bottle.

Many of those second bottles come from the three annual tastings I do: American True Rosé in the Spring, American Pinot Noir in the late Fall, and American Sparkling Wine in December.

Here are a few of those “extra” bottles of Pinot I have accumulated, going as far back as 2018 and the First Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir.

2018 Brooks Pinot Noir Red Letter, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $80. Under DIAM 10. I first tasted this about a year ago for the Fifth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir, and I absolutely loved it (95 Points). Today, I grabbed the second bottle that the winery graciously sent and it was equally fabulous, with similar notes: “This is quite shy, but holy cow, this is fantastic. Subtle fruit, but incredible balance with rose petal, tart cherry, cranberry, subtle. The palate is harmonious and lovely, holy cow.” Outstanding. 94 Points.

2016 Denison Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $26. Under screw cap. Responsible bottle. This is a hold-over from my First Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot noir. I liked it way back then in 2018, but I think I like it more now. Medium to dark in color with a dirty black cherry nose (it makes me believe there was at least a bit of whole cluster fermentation here). The palate is fruity, tart, and balanced. It is not the most introspective wine I have had, but it is pretty fantastic. Excellent. 91 Points.

2018 Division Winemaking Company Pinot Noir Division-Villages, “Méthode Carbonique”, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $25. Under DIAM3. I originally had this a whopping four years ago as part of the 4th Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and I liked it plenty (90 pts). Now? almost a full three years later? Yeah, this still has it going on, but you have to appreciate the carbonic maceration aspect, which is pretty much synonymous with Beaujolais. Even though this is Pinot Noir and GAmay is the grape in Beaujolais, there are similarities. Most notable is the bubblegum aromas and flavors which while far from off-putting, can be a bit “odd” to some. Past that, there is earth, fruit, and even a dose of verve. I really appreciate what Division has done here and wish that more winemakers would push the envelope even if just slightly. Excellent. 90 Points.

2019 La Follette Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $65. I first tasted this for my “Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir” and I absolutely loved it then: “Bright Bing cherry with just a touch of earth and the palate is absolutely fantastic. Holy cow. Wonderful fruit, great balance, considerable depth. 96 points.” Now? I still like it a ton, but perhaps not as much as I did nearly a year ago. Still all that fruit, the earth, and balance. I still really love this wine, just not quite as much as I did. Excellent. 92 Points.

2017 Domaine Roy & Fils Pinot Noir Incline Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $75. Big Ass Bottle. Under cork. I received two bottles of this wine for the 2nd Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and I thought it was a bit funky at the time. And? Well? Yeah, there is definitely some Brett going on here. Now, I like, even love, me some Brett from time to time when it seems to work (read: Santenay) but here, even four years later? Ummmm. Fairly light in the glass, very “Pinot-esque” with red berry fruit that is muted by…funk. Plenty of funk, in fact. And while I am a fan/do not mind Brett in moderation, this wine has it in spades. And hearts. And clubs. The palate shows less of the Brett influence and has great tartness and even a touch of verve. But it is really tought getting past the Brett here. Very Good. 89 Points.

2016 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Homestead Block, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $60. I first tasted this nearly three years ago for the 2nd Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir. I liked it then (90 points) and I like it now. But. Then I wrote: “Darker fruit here, with some spice as is the palate, could use a dash of acid, but this is very nice.” I maintain that the acid is a bit lacking here, but the fruit is more than a bit lighter with black and bright cherry along with some spice and earth on the nose. The palate is lighter than I remember, more Pinot-like, even. So while the flavor profile has shifted, albeit slightly, my assessment of the wine, overall, has not changed all that much. Excellent. 90 Points.