The Gerrie family and longtime winemaker Steve Doerner used Chardonnay to help launch Cristom Vineyards in 1992, and this flagship expression of Chardonnay remains emblematic of the Eola-Amity Hills, starting with the melange from eight vineyards — each within the American Viticultural Area and harvested by hand. Von Oehsen and Eola Springs make up nearly two-thirds of this … [Read more...] about Cristom Vineyards 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills $45
Oregon
Pike Road Wines 2021 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton $50
It makes sense that one of the Northwest’s most famous sites for Pinot Noir helped Austrailian winemaker Heather Perkin, the Campbell family and Pike Road Wines to earn a rare double gold and one of the highest scores for any wine last fall at the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition. Until the Campbells created the Pike Road brand, fruit from Shea was dedicated to the … [Read more...] about Pike Road Wines 2021 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton $50
Day Wines 2022 Vin de Days Rouge, Willamette Valley $27
From her Day Camp facility near Dundee, Ore., Brianne Day creates this crowd-pleasing blend that’s primarily Pinot Noir with some of the flash that Pinot Meunier (8%) offers. The fanciful nose of raspberry, pomegranate and black pepper includes a bit of brown sugar and pork belly. Those are joined on the palate with a theme of bright cherry flavors that's easy to appreciate … [Read more...] about Day Wines 2022 Vin de Days Rouge, Willamette Valley $27
DANCIN Vineyards 2021 Alto Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley $42
Southern Oregon’s climate lends itself to Pinot Noir that’s often fruit-forward and compelling, and the Marca family also has the benefit of growing at nearly 2,000 feet elevation to help create balance. Their winemaker since 2018, Chemeketa-trained Chris Jiron, released this stunning blend with Dijon clone 777 (60%) and Pommard, discretely accented by a barrel program of 15% … [Read more...] about DANCIN Vineyards 2021 Alto Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley $42
Love & Squalor 2017 Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $64
Portland Wine Company winemaker Matt Berson, headquartered just southwest of Mount Tabor Park, has nurtured these two nicely used barrels of Pinot Noir from famed grower Dai Crisp. It represents an Oct. 8 harvest and a blend from two blocks where the resident clones are Pommard and Dijon 113, 114 and 667. Despite the neutral French oak, there’s prominent nose of black cherry, … [Read more...] about Love & Squalor 2017 Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $64