Dundee Hills winemaker Bryan Weil takes a different approach to this Left Bank-Bordeaux expression by making Petit Verdot (26%) such a significant component to this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (47%), Merlot (20%) and Malbec from Lonesome Spring Ranch in Washington's Yakima Valley. Weil, who worked at The Hogue Cellars not far from LSR, shows his versatility with a core of dark … [Read more...] about Alexana Winery 2014 Lonesome Spring Ranch Gran Coeur Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $50
Oregon
Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Équinoxe Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $80
The Mortimers and winemaker Jim Sanders select three barrels from the heart of this 14-clone Parrett Mountain vineyard near Newberg, Ore., and devote several additional months in the cellar in order to create the smallest project in their Reserve Series trio. There are engaging baking spice aromas of nutmeg and allspice behind the plum, dried cherry and cranberry notes, … [Read more...] about Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Équinoxe Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $80
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars 2015 Pas De Nom Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $125
Lynn Penner-Ash's stylishly "no name" Pinot Noir continues to stand out within the lexicon of Oregon Pinot Noir, and this latest expression stays true to its core three vineyards - Bella Vida (30%) in the Dundee Hills, historic Shea Vineyard (25%) and the estate vineyard (17%). There's magnificence to the nose presented by 10 months in French oak, with 40% of those barrels new, … [Read more...] about Penner-Ash Wine Cellars 2015 Pas De Nom Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $125
Alexana Estate Vineyard and Winery 2016 Revana Vineyard Estate Riesling, Dundee Hills, $32
Considering the winemakers behind this project, the continued success with Riesling in the Dundee Hills at Alexana should not be surprising. Lynn Penner-Ash, whose bottlings of Riesling often go underappreciated, consulted for Dr. Madaiah Revana in the early stages of Alexana. Now in the spotlight is Bryan Weil, who worked in Washington state for Hogue Cellars, one of the … [Read more...] about Alexana Estate Vineyard and Winery 2016 Revana Vineyard Estate Riesling, Dundee Hills, $32
Ponzi Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay Reserve, Willamette Valley, $40
Luisa Ponzi will be among the second-generation winemakers selected to pour at the 2018 Oregon Chardonnay Celebration, and her 2014 reserve Chardonnay represents a selection of four renowned sites in the North Willamette Valley — Avellana and Aurora in the Chehalem Mountains, Sunset View Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills and organically farmed Thistle Vineyard in the Dundee … [Read more...] about Ponzi Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay Reserve, Willamette Valley, $40