The McKibben family's Les Collines Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley raised the grapes for Angel Vine's 2014 Zinfandel and the Carlton, Ore., winery turned them into a wine that exudes blackberries, herbs and a bare whiff of chocolate. In the mouth, the blackberries have a sweet, earthy presence, with a finish of smooth tannins and pleasing minerality. This bottling by the … [Read more...] about Angel Vine 2014 Les Collines Vineyard Zinfandel, Walla Walla Valley, $24
Oregon
Mt. Hood Winery 2015 Dry Hollow Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, $34
The Bickford family in Hood River, Ore., showcases the versatility of viticulture in the Columbia Gorge with this Merlot grown just south of The Dalles. Bing cherries and sage aromas rise out of the glass to make your mouth water. The mouth feel is silky-smooth, delivering intense flavors of dark ripe cherries, dark chocolate and a hint of oregano. This won a gold medal and … [Read more...] about Mt. Hood Winery 2015 Dry Hollow Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, $34
Adega Northwest 2015 Weinbau Vineyard Growers Cuvée Miguel Rodriguez GSM, Columbia Valley, $30
Portland sommelier Bradford Cowin has been serious about becoming a winemaker since 2007 when he worked in the cellar at R. Stuart in McMinnville, but it was his time at Long Shadows Vintners in Walla Walla that got him access to venerable Weinbau Vineyard on Washington's Wahluke Slope. Cowin uses this GSM blend to pay tribute to vineyard manager Miguel Rodriguez, who has been … [Read more...] about Adega Northwest 2015 Weinbau Vineyard Growers Cuvée Miguel Rodriguez GSM, Columbia Valley, $30
Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2017 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, McMinnville, $16
In recent vintages, this McMinnville, Ore., showpiece estate winery has opted to make Pinot Blanc as much as 20 percent of its "Rosé of Pinots" program. Last year, however, recently promoted head winemaker Ariel Eberle made Pinot Noir from the Boot Block as the total focus of her rosé, and the results via that Oct. 11 pick are gorgeous to take in. The delicate hue of pink … [Read more...] about Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2017 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, McMinnville, $16
2Hawk Vineyard and Winery 2014 Limited Reserve Tempranillo, Southern Oregon, $42
Aside from working a few vintages at a 7,000-case winery in North Carolina, Kiley Evans has spent the past 15 years as a winemaker in Southern Oregon. His first six years were at Abacela, and that experience shows in this small-lot offering of Tempranillo. It's an estate production from sixth-leaf Valdepeñas clone, and the juice spent time in two-year-old French oak. The wine … [Read more...] about 2Hawk Vineyard and Winery 2014 Limited Reserve Tempranillo, Southern Oregon, $42