Southern Oregon’s climate lends itself to Pinot Noir that’s often fruit-forward and compelling, and the Marca family also has the benefit of growing at nearly 2,000 feet elevation to help create balance. Their winemaker since 2018, Chemeketa-trained Chris Jiron, released this stunning blend with Dijon clone 777 (60%) and Pommard, discretely accented by a barrel program of 15% … [Read more...] about DANCIN Vineyards 2021 Alto Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley $42
Boomtown by Dusted Valley 2022 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $18.99
Best Buy! Vintage after vintage, Dusted Valley Vintners shines with its Yakima Valley Chardonnay program from the Olsen family, so it makes sense that their Boomtown line - which also pulls Chardonnay from the Yakima Valley - would over-deliver at this price point. The use of neutral oak allows the fruit profile to emerge on the aromas and on the palate, ranging from starfruit, … [Read more...] about Boomtown by Dusted Valley 2022 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $18.99
Mosquito Fleet Winery 2020 S.G. Simpson Zinfandel, Rattlesnake Hills $50
History buff Brian Petersen uses his first bottling of Zinfandel to pay tribute to the Solomon Grout Simpson, a 115-foot sternwheeler that operated from Olympia to Shelton during the first quarter of the 20th century. The Kitsap Peninsula winemaker pulled the Zinfandel from historic Portteus Vineyard and blended Petite Sirah (6%) from Lonesome Spring Ranch ahead of a barrel … [Read more...] about Mosquito Fleet Winery 2020 S.G. Simpson Zinfandel, Rattlesnake Hills $50
Love & Squalor 2017 Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $64
Portland Wine Company winemaker Matt Berson, headquartered just southwest of Mount Tabor Park, has nurtured these two nicely used barrels of Pinot Noir from famed grower Dai Crisp. It represents an Oct. 8 harvest and a blend from two blocks where the resident clones are Pommard and Dijon 113, 114 and 667. Despite the neutral French oak, there’s prominent nose of black cherry, … [Read more...] about Love & Squalor 2017 Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $64
Rocky Pond Estate Winery 2022 Glacial Treasure White Blend, Lake Chelan $32
Elizabeth Keyser’s time in the Finger Lakes region of New York and the Willamette Valley is on display with this aromatic, stylish and wide-ranging blend from Dufenhorst plantings at Clos CheValle above Lake Chelan and Double D in the Rocky Reach AVA — both part of the state’s young Sustainable WA program. A product of her first commercial vintage for Rocky Pond, this is … [Read more...] about Rocky Pond Estate Winery 2022 Glacial Treasure White Blend, Lake Chelan $32