La Bohème

Forbes.com

2003: 25 Great American Pinot Noirs. "… Elk Cove is one of the best known and most respected Oregon pinot producers thanks to their classically crafted wines and this single vineyard offering is a perfect reflection of their style. Its shiny bright fruit is finely balanced by typical Pinot earthiness for a delightfully appealing wine." (September 19, 2005)

Pinot Report

2006: 94 "...deep, rich cherry and earthy flavors, silky texture, sweet oak, some tannin;...This Pinot has great depth and complexity, as well as a wonderful silkiness." (February 15, 2008)

2005: 93 "...intense, with deep, earthy, cherry flavors as well as spice notes; ...A deep and interesting Pinot with great complexity." (February 15, 2008)

2003: 93 "Make room in the cellar! Complex and interesting…" (November 30, 2005)

2000: 88 "Medium-deep ruby purple color, spice, some light plum, oak aromas; ripe fruit, lots of plum and black cherry, flavors seem to fall off a bit in the middle palate; lingering finish. Lots of nice fruit here, just seems to lack a little in structure and balance." (March 31, 2003)

Restaurant Wine

2006: 5 Stars. "Superb Pinot - best ever from Elk Cove. Fragrant and fine in aroma (plum, cherry, rose petal, vanilla), this is a full bodied, velvety, well balanced wine with a very long persistent finish…. Exceptional!" (April 1, 2008)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

2007: 90 "... Slightly darker in color and more aromatic than its two siblings, this is a richer, more concentrated pinot that will evolve for 1-2 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2011-2019." – Robert Parker (October 31, 2009)

2006: 91 "The alluring perfume is very expressive while the nose offers up aromas of rose petals, cherry, raspberry, spice box, and earth notes. On the palate, it is firm, layered, and intense leading to a lengthy, fruit filled finish." – Robert Parker (November 1, 2008)

1999: 91+ "... a sultry wine... with loads of blueberries, blackberries and cherries... concentrated, pure, and admirably long in the finish, this is an outstanding, fruit-packed Pinot..." – Pierre Rovani (July 31, 2001)

San Francisco Chronicle

2002: Panel's Picks. "The Chronicle's Wine Selection $30 and over." (July 31, 2004)

The Vine by Clive Coates MW

16 (20 point scale) "Full colour. Rich nose. No hard edges. Just a touch sweaty. This passes after a while. Some oak here. Fullish body. Good structure. Good grip. Some tannin. A little tough at the end. But the fruit is good. Very good. 2005-2012."

The Wine Report

2002: 91 (October 31, 2004)

Wine & Spirits

2006: 92 "Ample, round and lavish in its oak…it’s packed with flavors of mocha, sassafras, and black cherry…serve with pasta or wild mushrooms." (June 1, 2008)

2000: 89 "Muscular, dense and briary, this wine combines New World power with finesse. The fruit is tinged in blue, the texture is supple and lush, with a fresh snapped twig quallity in the finish. Serve with your next sage-rubbed pork loin." – Patrick Comiskey

Wine Enthusiast

2006: 91 Cellar Selection. "La Bohème, now almost 25 years old, has been Elk Cove's tète de cuvée for most of its life... as with all of Adam Campbell's wines, it is finely sculpted, showcasing tart and tangy cranberry pomegranate, and rhubarb flavors with a finish that lands on a foundation of rock." (July 1, 2008)

2005: 89 "Elk Cove has kept a lid on the prices of its best Pinots, despite the inflation that has crept in elsewhere and without a surcharge for old vine fruit and superior winemaking. La Bohème wines always seem to be buttoned up upon release, but reward cellaring and demand attention. I find a little bit of leathery funk in this new release, but along with that is finely sculpted, tart and tangy red fruit, and a wine that is proportionate and detailed." – Paul Gregutt (November 15, 2007)

2002: 86 Buying Guide. (October 31, 2004)

2001: 90 "This is a high-elevation Pinot, from the northern Willamette, and shows a different flavor set than the superripe, tannic, Zinny wines made further south. But it is very well made, firm and varietal, with a complex mix of herb, leaf and tart fruits, and will prosper with 5-7 years of cellaring." – Paul Gregutt (October 31, 2003)

2000: 88 "A good La Bohème, which seems to have lost its footing in recent vintages. Juicy, young and quite tart, it shows plenty of bright berry fruit and a bit of concentrated cassis. There is a distinct scent of resin or diesel. Could improve with time." – Paul Gregutt (March 31, 2003)

Wine Press Northwest

2006: Outstanding! "From the opening whiff, this reveals bright aromas of raspberries, Bing cherries, blackberries and allspice. It's a lively wine on the palate, thanks to flavors of charming cherries and ripe raspberries. From the entry to the rich midpalate through the lengthy finish, this wine provides great balance and true elegance." (April 1, 2008)

Wine Spectator

2008: 91 "Light on its feet, swirling its ripe blueberry, currant and mineral flavors easily over-refined tannins and a fragile structure that lets the finish hover enticingly. Drink now through 2018." – Harvey Steiman (August 18, 2010)

2006: 93 "Velvety in texture and generous with its blue plum and black currant flavors, subtly weaving in notes of red meat and balsamic… the wine seems to pose on the finish, showing off its gifts." – Harvey Steiman (May 1, 2008)

2005: 89 "Smooth in texture, with jazzy citrus-accented cherry and spice flavors that remain vivid through the lively finish." – Harvey Steiman (August 31, 2007)

2004: 88 "Firm in texture, with chewy tannins around a lively core of blackberry and black pepper flavors, finishing with a fine balance. Best from 2008 through 2012." (November 30, 2006)

2003: 90 "Ripe and round, with a slightly gamy edge to the currant and plum character, an inviting wine that finishes with fine tannins, the flavors lingering impressively. Best from 2007 through 2011." (December 15, 2005)

2002: 85 "Has some moderately intense meat, cherry and peppery spice flavors on a structure that tugs at the cheeks.. Best after 2005." (May 31, 2004)

1998: 90 "Strives for delicacy and achieves a lovely balance of juicy berry flavors and almost citrusy acidity, with the flavors extending into a long and lively finish. Picks up some nice hints of exotic spice as the flavors unfold. Drink through 2008." (April 30, 2000)

1997: 88 "A smooth, inviting, pretty wine, with ripe cherry and spice flavors that linger on the gentle finish. Unusually generous for the vintage... Drink now through 2004." (November 15, 1999)

[Tanzer] International Wine Cellar

2008: 91 "Dark red. Aromas of blackberry and cherry gain energy with air and pick up brighter notes of wild strawberry and raspberry. Open-knit red fruit flavors are nicely concentrated and seamless, with a subtle note of burnt orange adding a tangy edge. Very alluring today, with excellent persistence and lingering notes of dark berries and spices. This vineyard was planted in 1984 with Pommard clone cuttings from Elk Cove's original estate vineyard." – Josh Raynolds (July 1, 2010)

2005: 90 "Bright red. Meaty cherry and cured meat scents are complemented by bright violet and musky earth tones. Fleshy red and dark berry flavors offer depth and good sweetness, with a gentle boost of minerals and citrus peel. Finishes on a bitter cherry skin note, with excellent length." – Josh Raynolds (April 30, 2007)

2004: 86 "Urgent aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant and pomegranate. Displays a very nice interplay of supple texture and tangy fruit, the flavors veering to raspberry and strawberry but with weight and depth. Finishes on an energetic and spicy note of redcurrant. I like this style." – Josh Raynolds (April 30, 2006)