It was 20 years ago when Battle Creek Vineyard was established across 110 acres just south of Oregon's state capital, and the western edge of this mature site is flanked by Interstate 5. A light hand in the cellar and 17 months in neutral French oak provides a fruit-forward look at the Dijon clone 667 lot, that shows bright fruit, earthiness, eucalyptus and violets wrapped in … [Read more...] about Battle Creek Cellars 2014 Battle Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $59
Oregon
Panther Creek Cellars 2016 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $20
Pinot Gris makes up more than 25 percent of this storied brand founded in 1986 by Oregon legend Ken Wright. It's now his friend, Tony Rynders, who is helping Bacchus Capital Management to raise its winery's profile in Washington state, where there's a tasting room for it in Woodinville near Purple Café and Wine Bar. Complex aromas of orange, Cling peach, starfruit and coconut … [Read more...] about Panther Creek Cellars 2016 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $20
Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2015 Estate Chloe’s Breeze Müller-Thurgau, Willamette Valley, $12
Best Buy! Hermann Müller was a 19th century Swiss botanist born near the Thur River, a tributary of Rhine River, and he developed this cross of Riesling with Madeleine Royale to create an early variety in cool climates. Pete Buffington of Abiqua Wind has found that it thrives in the Cascade Foothills of Oregon, and his latest vintage plays out as Riesling aficionado's example … [Read more...] about Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2015 Estate Chloe’s Breeze Müller-Thurgau, Willamette Valley, $12
Primarius Winery 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
A collection of Precept-controlled vineyards in Oregon - Battle Creek, Red Hills, Roe, Waldo Hills and Yamhela - are blended by Northwest Wine Academy grad Sarah Cabot into this rewarding reserve-style Pinot Noir. A light hand with the oak leads to aromas of boysenberry, blueberry cola and toast, followed by bright flavors strawberry, red plum and raspberry. Smooth tannins open … [Read more...] about Primarius Winery 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $22
Ponzi Vineyards 2017 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Viewed as leaders in the Oregon wine industry for their work with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Luisa Ponzi and her family deserve similar praise for Pinot Gris, which her family first planted in 1978. While she increased production from the 2016 vintage by nearly 27 percent, the profile and balance continue with this latest release. Three of the family's certified sustainable … [Read more...] about Ponzi Vineyards 2017 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19