This bucolic 10-acre property in the heart of Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains produces much of Don Hagge’s fruit, which he farms in accordance with Salmon-Safe practices. He named this block of clone 777 Pinot Noir for granddaughter Brigita, and he showed prescience by pulling it off on Sept. 14 - well ahead of the drenching remnants of Typhoon Pabuk. The 18-month program of 35% … [Read more...] about Vidon Vineyard 2013 Brigita Clone 777 Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $50
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $58
Here’s an example of Columbia Gorge vintner Robb Bell’s long-range vision for his program at Cathedral Ridge, a single-site expression with venerable Hillside Vineyard in The Dalles, Ore. Bell and Sonoma winemaker Michael Sebastiani have featured this planting for their reserve Cabs for more than a decade. This example from a classic vintage is offers food-friendly aromas and … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $58
Domanico Cellars 2011 Lewis Family Vineyard La Ville Syrah, Yakima Valley, $21
Six of the eight vineyards Prosser vintner Jason Domanico pulls from are within the surrounding Yakima Valley, and perhaps the most famous of those was founded by the late Ken Lewis. Domanico’s work with five barrels, three of new of them new French oak, lead to humidor-type aromas of cherry pipe tobacco and cedar with touches of cocoa powder and blueberry. The drink offers … [Read more...] about Domanico Cellars 2011 Lewis Family Vineyard La Ville Syrah, Yakima Valley, $21
Mercer Estates 2014 Reserve Cavalie Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills, $40
The classic 2012 vintage in the Pacific Northwest paved the way for many acclaimed wines, and Mercer’s Reserve Cavalie from that year ranked among the region’s most decorated wines. Jessica Munnell’s latest release continues to lead with Merlot (63%), but the contributions by Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Malbec (12%) prompted her to leave Petit Verdot out of the mix. No matter. … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2014 Reserve Cavalie Red Blend, Horse Heaven Hills, $40
Owen Roe 2013 Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley, $55
One of the Northwest’s most acclaimed vintners, David O’Reilly, moved his family a few years ago to the western edge of the Yakima Valley for a variety of reasons. Among those reasons was to be closer to Mike Sauer’s Red Willow Vineyard in Mount Adams foothills. Sauer’s Chapel Block is considered the historic epicenter for Syrah in Washington, and O’Reilly took his top 16 … [Read more...] about Owen Roe 2013 Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley, $55