Searching for some real garage wines? Tony Soter?s Beacon Hill (he refers to it as his family?s new homestead), has produced all the wines listed below (and the 2001) in a genuine garage. An Oregonian by birth and upbringing, Tony Soter has returned to his roots (while continuing to produce wine from California). His dream has been a small Oregon estate specializing in Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. In 1997 the Soter's found a 45-acre parcel in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The vineyard is located on the north fork of the Chehalem Valley, six miles east of the town of Yamhill and ten miles northwest of Dundee. Planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the vineyard totals 22 acres. Winery neighbors include Beaux Freres, Brick House and Willakenzie. The 18 acres of existing vineyards, planted in 1988, have been supplemented with an additional 4 acres of high density vines (these young vines bore their first fruit in 2002).

"Tony Soter ... has been a model of consistency. As insiders know, these wines are the handcrafted products of one of California's most influential and successful winemakers/consultants, Tony Soter. Soter has a superb list of clients, including Araujo Estate, Dalla Valle, and Viader. His own wines are also brilliant ..." Robert Parker

www.sotervineyards.com

Pinot Noir Beacon Hill
2002 $47.99 SOLD OUT
Hugely rich yet fresh aromas of black cherries, brambleberries, blueberries, and candied blackberries emanate from the glass of the 2002 Pinot Noir Beacon Hill. A bold, opulent effort, it slathers the mouth with layers upon layers of jammy black fruits. This concentrated, seamless effort is velvety-textured, plush, and reveals a long, harmonious finish that is heavily laden with ripe, ever so slightly bitter, sweet tannin. This wine should be drunk over the next 6-7 years. 92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.
2000 $47.99 SOLD OUT
"Sweet spicy black fruits can be found in the nose of the medium to dark ruby-colored 2000 Pinot Noir Beacon Hill. Seamless and angle-free, it offers lush layers of blackberries, dark cherries, and hints of cassis. A pretty wine, it is soft, well-structured, and harmonious. Drink it over the next 6 years." 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #143
"Deep red color. Vibrant, perfumed aromas of raspberry, spicy oak, underbrush and flowers. Juicy, spicy and intensely flavored, with excellent energy and thrust. Sappy flavors of raspberry and spices. Only a slight leanness toward the back prevented me from giving this wine an outstanding rating. But unusually aromatic and classy Oregon pinot. This has absorbed its new oak nicely since I first tasted the wine last winter." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 3-4/04
1999 $47.99 SOLD OUT
"At first, the nose of the 1999 Pinot Noir Beacon Hill had aromas reminiscent of roasted bone marrow, a smell I adore. With aeration, black cherries and spices emerged. Medium to full-bodied and dense, this wine had fabulous concentration and depth. Cedar-laced black fruits and loads of ripe tannin can be found in this fleshy, complete wine. Projected maturity: 2005-2010." 92 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #143

Brut Rose Beacon Hill
1999 $39.99
The 1999 Brut Rose Beacon Hill exhibits a peach-like color and a wonderfully elegant nose reminiscent of a perfectly fashioned Kir Royal (a drink made from sparkling wine and cassis liqueur). Notes of cassis can be discerned in its floral, expressive aromatics. Medium-bodied, satin-textured and extremely flavorful, it coats the taster?s palate with notes of black cherries, violets, blackberries, and assorted flowers. This extravagant, beautifully crafted rose should be drunk over the next 2-3 years. 90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
1998 $39.99 very limited
"The peach/salmon-colored 1997 Brut Rose Beacon Hill was produced from 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir that spent 3 years on their lees before being disgorged. Its toasty pear scents lead to a vinous, medium-bodied and silky-textured personality. This wine should be drunk over the next 2 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #143

Tony Soter