Vicki Lewis and Don Hagge are entering their second decade as owners Vidon Vineyard (pronounced Vee-Dohn), a number of the Willamette Valley's top producers have vineyards surrounding theirs in the Chehalem Mountains. Don's work with clone 777 is reflected in this bottling named after their granddaughter, and it's a deliciously bright example. Aromas of Chukar Cherry, blueberry … [Read more...] about Vidon Vineyard 2014 Estate Brigita Clone 777 Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50
Oregon
Spindrift Cellars 2014 BoVine Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
Matt Compton's work with this young 5-acre site south of Corvallis, Ore., continues to show promise under the Spindrift Cellars label. A clonal selections of Pommard, Wadenswil and 667 offers spicy aromas of dark red fruit, toasted coconut and vanilla. There's less barrel influence on the palate, where plums and dried cherries swirl together in a pleasing structure for a long … [Read more...] about Spindrift Cellars 2014 BoVine Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
Next Wines 2015 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $40
Last year, King Estate launched the Next Wines program not as a second label but a standalone tier within its young King Vintners division. For the branding, they paid tribute by using a rendering of work created by the late Sandy Marostica, an artist in Boise, Idaho. The original piece hangs in the home of Ed and Jodee King. There's the investment of 18 months in French oak, … [Read more...] about Next Wines 2015 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $40
Battle Creek Cellars 2014 Roe Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge, $59
It's some heady company in the neighborhood of Roe & Roe Vineyard, a 74-acre site on Ribbon Ridge that's just east of North Valley Road and adjacent to Eminent Domaine and Harry Peterson-Nedry's Ridgecrest Vineyard. Precept's Oregon winemaker Sarah Cabot doted on this small-lot project and achieved amazing results in her debut vintage under the Battle Creek Cellars brand. … [Read more...] about Battle Creek Cellars 2014 Roe Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge, $59
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Estate Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, $24
Our panel recently received another snapshot of Stephen Reustle's flagship Grüner Veltliner — a couple of months after it merited a 2017 Double Platinum — and remains as brilliant as ever. A product of his Revelation and Sorek blocs, it is radiant with its blend of white peach, Bosc pear and Gala apple. Dry and racy, the finish wraps up with Key Lime juice and white pepper. It … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Estate Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, $24