The Fullerton family bottles vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs featuring Croft near the Van Duzer Corridor and Momtazi in McMinnville, but here those two vineyards join forces with Keleri Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains for a drink of dark blue fruit. Its proprietary name is simple enough — the acronym for members Filip, Alex the winemaker, Caroline and co-owners Eric and … [Read more...] about Fullerton Wines 2014 Five FACES Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $33
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2015 Umiker Vineyard Lochsa White Wine, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15
Karl and Coco Umiker’s vineyard in the Lewiston Orchards is in its second decade of life, and its growth has allowed them to present this proprietary blend as an entire estate presentation. Legally, they could label this is Chardonnay (86%), and there is a slight influence of 30 percent new barrel involved, but they round this out with Viognier (9%) and Riesling. The Chardonnay … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2015 Umiker Vineyard Lochsa White Wine, Lewis-Clark Valley, $15
Westport Winery Garden Resort 2014 Swimmer Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $31
Coastal winemaker Dana Roberts, a product of Washington State University’s certificate program, adjusted his Swimmer program in 2014, shifting to Olsen Brothers Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and including enough Syrah (26%) to the blend that it prohibits them from labeling this Petite Sirah - as Westport had in the past. Regardless, this Swimmer still touches the wall in … [Read more...] about Westport Winery Garden Resort 2014 Swimmer Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $31
Forsyth Brio 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50
Central Washington University grad David Forsyth made the No. 1 wine that in 2013 capped Great Northwest Wine’s top 100 list, and it will be interesting to see where this suave Cabernet that focused on venerable Sagemoor Vineyard finishes on this year’s ranking. Introductory aromas of blackberry and blueberry come with clove, milk chocolate, tar and charcuterie. The tannin … [Read more...] about Forsyth Brio 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $50
Love & Squalor 2014 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $20
Not only is there a renewed movement in Oregon with Chardonnay, but Matt Berson also is at the forefront of the renaissance surrounding Riesling in the Willamette Valley. His combination of Roncali Vineyard in West Eugene with Sunnyside in Salem and Cuddihy in Yamhill-Carlton is presented with crystalline acidity (2.92 pH) and scant sugar (0.7%). It offers aromas of ginger with … [Read more...] about Love & Squalor 2014 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $20