McMinnville grower/winemaker/innkeeper Wayne Bailey features four clones of Pinot Noir that he produces across his dry-farmed estate — Pommard, Wadenswil, 113 and 777. It’s a 50-acre property, established in 1989, that excels with cool-climate Pinot Noir as a result of experience working one of the Willamette Valley’s westernmost vineyards. Aromas of Montmorency cherry, … [Read more...] about Youngberg Hill 2013 Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
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Domanico Cellars 2008 Mesa Rojo Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, $21
A number of Jason Domanico’s early efforts are holding up rather gracefully, including this Left Bank-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Cabernet Franc (30%) and Malbec that’s primarily from dramatic Alder Ridge in the Horse Heaven Hills. It spent 20 months in 30% new French oak and leads with toasty and spice aromas backed by Bing cherry, black olive and saddle leather. … [Read more...] about Domanico Cellars 2008 Mesa Rojo Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, $21
Palencia Wine Co. 2014 Casa Amarilla Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre, Yakima Valley, $36
Victor Palencia produces standalone bottlings of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre under his own brand at the Walla Walla airport, but the Casa Amarilla is a GSM-style blend that seemingly pulls the best from each variety. The barrel program surrounding the 60-30-10 ratio is limited to French oak. It offers an abundance of toast in the aromatics with lots of chocolate, nutmeg and … [Read more...] about Palencia Wine Co. 2014 Casa Amarilla Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre, Yakima Valley, $36
Winter’s Hill 2015 Estate Pinot Blanc, Dundee Hills, $19
The Gladhart family devotes 2 of their 35 acres to Pinot Blanc, a white grape from Burgundy that thrives in cooler conditions in the Pacific Northwest. Whole-cluster fermentation in stainless steel helps explain the phenomenally floral aromas of piña colada and peach fuzz backed by tangerine, grapefruit and Rose’s Lime Juice. Tangy tangerine flavors are followed by white peach … [Read more...] about Winter’s Hill 2015 Estate Pinot Blanc, Dundee Hills, $19
Vidon Vineyard 2013 Mirabelle Clone 115 Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50
Don Hagge’s L.I.V.E. Vidon Vineyard three miles north of the famed Dundee Hills includes a block of Mirabelle clone 115 planted in 2001 into Jory soils. It generated four barrels’ worth of this remarkable juice that hints at black cherry, Sugarfina Black Currant Berries and cola with rose petal and a dusting of white pepper. There are delicious rich cherry and dried blueberry … [Read more...] about Vidon Vineyard 2013 Mirabelle Clone 115 Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50