We tasted 2016 Pioneer Pinot Noir when we went wineswinging to Ayres Winery in Willamette Valley of Oregon. We were lucky that Brad McLeroy the owner and winemaker was there to pour the wines and share the history of the winery and his winemaking philosophy.

One of the things we learned from Brad that he pays lots of attention to clones of Pinot Noir, how they differ and what flavors each one of them adds during the blending process.

It was fascinating to pay attention to the notes of different clones while we tasted Ayres wines.

2016 Pioneer Pinot Noir was our favorite one of the day. Interestingly, it was made from the grapes of Ribbon Ridge AVA which happens to be one of our favorite AVAs in Willamette Valley. We couldn't resist and brought a bottle home with us to give it the second opinion.

It was a great decision because the Pioneer had gotten better. Tasting such a noticeable difference just six months later was an unexpected surprise.

Pioneer had a sophisticated fruit-forward bouquet of cherry and strawberry, mushrooms and autumn forest, pink pepper, light touch of smoke and, surprisingly, stewed vegetables, something we expect from best wines of Bourgogne. Yes, all that.

The flavors were as complex as the nose. Leading with cherry and blackberry with a spicy touch of pink pepper and balancing the fruit with refreshing strawberry-like acidity.

Overall, 2016 Pioneer Pinot Noir became more balanced, and there are better balance and integration between fruit, tannins, and acidity. While you can enjoy it now, it's still a teenager in wine years. It has the potential to age for another five to eight years.

Sometimes we wish for a time machine so I could grab a bottle from now and five or ten years later and do a vertical tasting. Don't you?