The vintage prior led Portland urban winemaker Matt Berson to source the northern end of the Willamette Valley for his reserve Pinot Noir. Here, he worked with clone 667 from Vista Hills (34%) near Domaine Serene in the Dundee Hills, clone 777 from Cherry Grove (33%) near Gaston and clone 828 — the "suitcase clone" courtesy of the late Gary Andrus — off Sunny Mountain south of … [Read more...] about Love & Squalor 2013 Antsy Pants Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $52
Oregon
Next Wines 2016 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $20
King Estate created this direct-to-consumer tier as a tribute to national sales manager Justin King and other third-generation family members who are taking on expanding roles within the Eugene, Ore., company established by their grandfather and his son, current CEO Ed King III, in 1991. Next - as in next generation - is part of the recently launched King Vintners, and its … [Read more...] about Next Wines 2016 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $20
Marshall Davis Wines 2015 Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $36
This band of brothers — Matt Marshall, Ryan Marshall and Sean Davis — established their vineyard and brand in 2011 in Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area. They sought to offer their fans more than Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from their 6-acre vineyard, so Davis began making big reds from stellar sites such as acclaimed Seven Hills Vineyard. Alluring toasted oak … [Read more...] about Marshall Davis Wines 2015 Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $36
Spindrift Cellars 2016 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $22
Among the legacies of California researcher Harold Olmo is Chardonnay clone 108, material that's also referred to as a "Davis" clone or the Wente clone. Willamette Valley producers largely have replaced this with Dijon clones from Burgundy, but longtime grower/winemaker Matt Compton enjoys working with the now-obscure clone 108 for his Chardonnay program. It's easy to see why, … [Read more...] about Spindrift Cellars 2016 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $22
Spangler Vineyards 2013 Sangiovese, Oregon, $28
Southern Oregon winemaker Pat Spangler shines with food-friendly reds, and that's one reason why this Italian red does so well with the Spangler Vineyards wine club before its made available in his Roseburg tasting room. Aromas of bright red fruit akin to raspberry, red currant and dusty cherry include cola gummy candy, followed by flavors of blueberry and Western serviceberry. … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2013 Sangiovese, Oregon, $28