Eola-Amity Hills winemaker Rachel Rose turned heads last summer in Seattle by winning a best-of-class award for her work with Tempranillo in Sip magazine's "Best of" judging. A few weeks later, she struck gold at Anthony Dias Blue's San Francisco International Wine Competition with this Pinot Noir for proprietors Jon and Kathy Lauer. It's the flagship wine for this decade-old … [Read more...] about Bryn Mawr Vineyards 2018 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
Outstanding
Mosquito Fleet Winery 2017 SS Dix Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $42
The McKibben family established their Pepper Bridge Vineyard by planting 10 acres in 1991. It now spans 170 acres, and the care taken with their sustainable farming practices are reflected in the bottles beyond their namesake winery. Here, it is Dr. Brian Peterson's members at Mosquito Fleet Winery on Washington's Kitsap Peninsula that benefit from the juice that's emerged from … [Read more...] about Mosquito Fleet Winery 2017 SS Dix Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $42
Januik Winery 2017 Champoux Vineyard Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $40
Some could/would charge more for a vineyard-designated wine off Champoux Vineyard, and this bottling by Mike Januik ranks among the best and easiest-to-enjoy examples of Merlot released in the past year. His relationship with Paul Champoux and this site goes back to Januik's days with Chateau Ste. Michelle, and he's on the record describing it as "at the top of my list of … [Read more...] about Januik Winery 2017 Champoux Vineyard Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $40
Abbott Claim 2018 Abbott Claim Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $65
Acclaimed Thoroughbred breeder Antony Beck embarks on his second decade as a member of the Oregon wine industry, and Abbott Claim marks his second brand in this neighborhood that renowned winemaker Ken Wright made famous. While Beck's father, Graham, planted a flag in South Africa with methode Champenoise, Antony has tasked winemaker Alban Debeaulieu with not only the Angela … [Read more...] about Abbott Claim 2018 Abbott Claim Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $65
Foris Vineyards 2019 Moscato, Southern Oregon, $15
Best Buy! Ted Gerber invested in Oregon's Illinois Valley back in 1971, and 2021 also marks the 35th anniversary of Foris Vineyards as a wine producer — marked by its bond of No. 110 in the state. One of his first grape plantings was Early Muscat in 1976, and Bryan Wilson's stellar tradition with variety has been extended by Stephanie Pao in this her third vintage at Foris. … [Read more...] about Foris Vineyards 2019 Moscato, Southern Oregon, $15