Behold the brightest jewel in the Northstar crown by Dave Merfeld, the Merlot maestro of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Despite the "game over" freeze event of Oct. 10, 2009, "Merf" bottled a stunning example of Merlot from a 24-year-old block at acclaimed Cold Creek Vineyard overlooking the Columbia River. The nose carries raspberry sauce, spiced cherry, Belgian chocolate and … [Read more...] about Northstar Winery 2009 Premier Merlot, Columbia Valley, $85
Artisanal Wine Cellars 2010 Dukes Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $34
This bottling marked the fifth vintage for Sherwood, Ore., vintner Tom Fuller, who tapped into this Walnut Hill site to produce a stunning Pinot Noir. There's a lot to like, starting with the nose of strawberry pie, Van cherries, raspberry sauce, cherry tomato paste, sweet herbs, forest floor and porcini mushrooms. The delivery to the palate is bold and bright with flavors of … [Read more...] about Artisanal Wine Cellars 2010 Dukes Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $34
Gamache Vintners 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18
Red Mountain vintner Charlie Hoppes makes very little white wine for his own Fidelitas brand, but he turns out tasty Riesling for his longtime friends Bob and Roger Gamache. Its tantalizing aromas feature apricot, pink grapefruit, lime, butter rum candy and verbena. There's some pleasing frontal sweetness and roundness to the flavors of passionfruit and yellow grapefruit, … [Read more...] about Gamache Vintners 2012 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18
Anam Cara Cellars 2012 Nicholas Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $18
The Nicholas family produces a number of stunning wines from their small estate site near Sherwood, Ore., and this gorgeous rosé shows a great deal of elegance. The nose features hints of cherry, dried strawberry, pomegranate and Kiwi fruit. Fanciful flavors gather up Rainier cherry, fresh-picked plum along with strawberry and raspberry. Its stunning structure, bone-dry … [Read more...] about Anam Cara Cellars 2012 Nicholas Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $18
Bitner Vineyards NV Menopause Merlot, Snake River Valley, $26
There's a fun story behind the wine and whimsical label, and longtime friend/neighbor Greg Koenig did a delicious job of creating the wine for Mary Bitner, co-owner of Bitner Vineyards and their wine-country B&B. The nose will appeal to women with its features of cherries and chocolate with toasted marshmallow and cedar, and the juice is filled with more cherries and … [Read more...] about Bitner Vineyards NV Menopause Merlot, Snake River Valley, $26