Richard Trimpi, not sure if he comes here, sent me a bottle of this, which was truly generous and he was right about this wine.
2006 Cameron Pinot Noir Abbey Ridge - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (3/21/2009)
From the get go, the smell of this wine is intense. As warned it would be a bit reductive and/or funky at the start. This does not and did not bother me. The intense aromas were wrapped but a steely minerally frame. It did not remind me of an 06. After taking a small taste, I left the bottle open for about 5 hours before gently pouring into the decanter. One thing that grabbed me with this wine was the big sweet cherry fruit right at the front and middle. You want it to continue but the finish, although long, did show some bitter tannins. Throughout the night the intense pure fruit stayed at the front but the tannins were in control of the finish. Food evened that out nicely. I also enjoyed the cinnamon spice on the palate. Subtle yet intriguing. This wine needs some serious time. The 06 vintage seems to leave its mark, making this wine very ripe with a big mid-palate but it still works for me. I think this is the best 06 I have tasted. Wait 5-10 years. (93 pts.)
Cheers,
Jason