Best Buy! The namesake behind the 2015 Oregon Winery of the Year crafted two of the top examples of Pinot Gris in our tasting. For this one, Terry Brandborg had a short drive from his downtown Elkton winery to the two vineyards he pulled from on Sept. 15 — Anindor and Elk Valley. The nose of Meyer lemon, caramel corn and facial powder transitions to succulent flavors of … [Read more...] about Brandborg Vineyard and Winery 2021 Pinot Gris, Elkton Oregon $19
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Chemistry Wine 2020 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $16.99
Best Buy! The Stoller Wine Group describes this young brand as a collaborative effort among the winemakers at Chehalem Winery and Stoller Family Estate, and there’s definitely synergy at play. Bill Stoller’s myriad plantings of Pinot Gris include Corral Creek and four clones at Chehalem Estate Vineyard, so there are options available to Melissa Burr, Kate Payne Brown and Katie … [Read more...] about Chemistry Wine 2020 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $16.99
Julia’s Dazzle 2021 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $18
Best Buy! During the past decade, winemaker Gilles Nicault has methodically nudged up the production while also gradually making it more snappy. For example, the 2013 vintage of Julia’s Dazzle carried nearly 9 grams of residual sugar. This latest release has no perceptible sweetness at a scant 3 grams (0.3%). As a result, it might be the best resemblance to those rosés from … [Read more...] about Julia’s Dazzle 2021 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $18
SMAK Wines 2020 Summer Rosé, Columbia Valley $18
Best Buy! Fiona Mak’s rosé house — inspired in part by her trips to the French Riviera — relies on Pinot Gris for her “Summer” program, so she submitted her two most recent vintages. Both merited gold. Here, its theme of starfruit and cantaloupe creates an appealing sense of fleshiness on the midpalate that’s whisked away with a racy burst of blood orange, lemon zest and … [Read more...] about SMAK Wines 2020 Summer Rosé, Columbia Valley $18
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2018 The Expedition Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $17
Best Buy! Plantings in Horse Heaven Hills helped show the promise of Malbec in Washington state, and this vintage marked New Zealand native Haydn Mouat's return to the Precept team - this time as head winemaker of Canoe Ridge Vineyard. Classic blue fruit notes start with the aromas that include cinnamon, sandalwood and allspice. There's a rich reward on the smooth palate that's … [Read more...] about Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2018 The Expedition Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $17