The Puryears pull from their eponymous vineyard for most of their top wines, but they also own this site, the oldest in the Rattlesnake Hills American Viticultural Area. Established in 1968 at 1,200 feet elevation for Ste. Michelle by future Congressman Sid Morrison and his family's fruit company, it became part of the Bonair estate holdings in 2001. These vines now struggle, … [Read more...] about Bonair Winery 2012 Morrison Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rattlesnake Hills, $40
Fullerton Wines 2014 Three Otters Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $23
Young winemaker Alex Fullerton works with three Dijon clones as well as the Davis 108, a k a Wente clone, seen as critical in the establishment and growth of the Chardonnay industry in California and throughout the West Coast during the 1970s. The Fullerton family’s Three Otter brand takes an unoaked, 100 percent malolactic fermentation and lees contact approach to its work … [Read more...] about Fullerton Wines 2014 Three Otters Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $23
Abacela 2013 Barrel Select Malbec, Umpqua Valley, $27
Longtime Oregon winemaker Andrew Wenzl made four picks across the Jones family’s Fault Line Vineyards three weeks apart in preparation for this selection from two clones established on blocks amounting to 7 acres. There's significant age to these vines, some dating to the original Abacela planting in 1995. The nose of dusty black currant, President plum, dark toast, Jolly … [Read more...] about Abacela 2013 Barrel Select Malbec, Umpqua Valley, $27
Taste, hear Washington wine history at special dinner
PROSSER, Wash. - For an industry that is fairly young, Washington wine country is home to some old vines - and they are spread across the state. Next weekend, the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center will play host to a special evening called "History Through the Vines." As part of this evening, patrons will not only enjoy wines from some of the state's oldest vines, but … [Read more...] about Taste, hear Washington wine history at special dinner
Pebblestone Cellars 2014 Ellis Vineyard Viognier, Rogue Valley, $20
A decade ago, Richard and Pat Ellis chose Southern Oregon over the Bay Area, purchasing this decade-old Ashland vineyard in 2003. The first vines they added were 2 acres of Geneva and clone 01 Viognier at this 1,600-foot elevation site, and those blocks have helped put Pebblestone Cellars on the map. Bryan Wilson crafts the wines for the family, and he uses oak on this floral … [Read more...] about Pebblestone Cellars 2014 Ellis Vineyard Viognier, Rogue Valley, $20