Rob Stuart’s winery in McMinnville is centrally located for the dozen vineyards he sources from. For his flagship Pinot Gris, he works with two sites on opposite sides of the Sunset Highway west of Hillsboro — Courting Hill and Cochran — as well as 30-year-old Wade Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Big Fire is created and priced as a “Tuesday night” wine, but in typical fashion for Stuart, it over-delivers. This is a very giving Pinot Gris, launching with a nose of Granny Smith apple, citron and green tea with honey. The medium-bodied structure gathers up pineapple, almond and more honey, setting the table for a zesty finish of lemon and another bite at the apple. Qualifying award: TEXSOM International (platinum)
Rating: Platinum • 90 points
Production: 1,204 cases
Alcohol: 12.9%
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