Spencer Spetnagel and Brent Stone team up for another delicious and approach white wine from Oregon’s iconic winery. They began with whole cluster pressing and barrel fermentation ahead of a five-month program of surlie aging in French oak. The nose doesn’t reflect much wood influence, offering instead its fruity scents of lemon and lime that lead into pineapple and Granny … [Read more...] about King Estate Winery 2015 Chardonnay, Oregon, $18
Coyote Canyon Winery 2012 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Tres Cruces Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, $25
One of the most delicious trends in the Pacific Northwest wine industry is the growth of GSM-style offerings — bottlings using Rhône Valley varieties Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. John Gabriel’s final vintage as winemaker for owner/grower Mike Andrews produced this blend that leads with Syrah (42%), and the barrel program leads to deep and smoky aromas of toast, roasted coffee … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2012 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Tres Cruces Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, $25
Amavi Cellars 2015 Estate Sémillon, Walla Walla Valley, $24
The Walla Walla Valley deserves more acclaim as a growing region for white wines, and Jean-François Pellet adds more evidence at the sister property of Pepper Bridge. Three estate vineyards — Les Collines (57%), Goff (28%) and Seven Hills - all were picked before Labor Day for this blend with Sauvignon Blanc (12%). A key factor is the complete devotion to neutral French oak … [Read more...] about Amavi Cellars 2015 Estate Sémillon, Walla Walla Valley, $24
Fullerton Wines 2014 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $45
Beaverton, Ore., winemaker Alex Fullerton devotes this bottling to Croft Vineyard, a 30-year-old organic planting near Monmouth. His program of 40 percent whole-cluster fermentation and 25% new French oak presents light toast aromas with black cherry, strawberry fruit leather, caramel and rose hips. Its lithe style brings delicate red fruit flavors, boysenberry acidity, … [Read more...] about Fullerton Wines 2014 Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $45
Martinez and Martinez 2015 Tudor Hills Vineyard Pinot Grigio, Yakima Valley, $17
The Martinez family launched their winery in 2005 using estate fruit from the Horse Heaven Hills, but here Andrew Martinez furthers his work with Tudor family grapes. (Andrew’s GM/wife is Monica Tudor-Martinez.) Festive and fruity aromas of peach, pear and pineapple include hints of tutti frutti, cotton candy and jasmine. On the palate, it’s filled with flavors of Ambrosia … [Read more...] about Martinez and Martinez 2015 Tudor Hills Vineyard Pinot Grigio, Yakima Valley, $17