Sonoma County product Sandra Oldfield, a proud graduate of University of California-Davis, continues to prove that British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley ranks among the best wine growing regions on the West Coast. This latest blend of her family’s vineyards on the Black Sage Bench and the Golden Mile Bench is a remarkable melange of Chardonnay (29%), Sauvignon Blanc (27%), … [Read more...] about Tinhorn Creek Vineyards 2015 Oldfield Series 2Bench White, Okanagan Valley, $20
Ghost Hill Cellars 2013 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $42
The Bayliss family established their vineyard near Carlton, Ore., in 1999, but the land near Abbey Road has been a part of its bloodlines for more than a century. Their largest production of Pinot Noir is this four-clone blend, and they stick with their traditional percentages of Pommard (45%), 777 (20%), 114 (20%) and Wädenswil for what amounts to about 25 percent of their … [Read more...] about Ghost Hill Cellars 2013 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $42
L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Evergreen Vineyard Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $35
Perhaps the most precious gem in the Milbrandts’ collection of vineyards is Evergreen, a caliche-laden site in the young appellation that is the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley. While it forms the baseline of Marty Clubb’s large-scale Columbia Valley Chardonnay, Evergreen Vineyard gains spotlight on this Chardonnay. Its expressive nose of coriander, starfruit, Red Delicious … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Evergreen Vineyard Chardonnay, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $35
Yakima Valley remains the cradle of Washington wine
The Yakima Valley is the heart of the Washington wine industry. It is dripping with history, leading us to dub it the cradle of the industry. It is home to some of the oldest vines - dating back a century - along with Cabernet Sauvignon blocks stretching into the '50s and '60s. Here is where some of Washington's first wineries started, and where the famous Walter Clore … [Read more...] about Yakima Valley remains the cradle of Washington wine
Youngberg Hill 2015 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, $25
Wayne Bailey doesn’t grow Pinot Blanc on his stunning 50-acre estate southwest of McMinnville, Ore., but the growing interest among consumers for the delicate, food-friendly features of Pinot Blanc prompts him to bring in fruit from Yamhill Valley Vineyards four miles due south. In his winery, Bailey sent it through a two-month program of neutral oak to develop beautiful … [Read more...] about Youngberg Hill 2015 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, $25