This Dundee Hills winery pulls this lot from Fennwood Vineyard at the southeast edge of the Yamhill-Carlton appellation, a rather tony neighborhood that includes Angela Estate's Oak Springs Vineyard and Domaine Serene's Abbey Oaks Vineyard. Bryan Weil's lots from this 38-acre site produced aromas of plum jam, poached cherries and black pepper with bright and fruity flavors akin … [Read more...] about Alexana Winery 2015 Fennwood Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill Carlton, $65
Oregon
Alexana Winery 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
Bryan Weil doesn't rush his rosé of Pinot Noir to market, choosing to age the product of dry-farmed vineyards in the Dundee Hills and Chehalem Mountains inside neutral French oak barrels for four months. And yet, the wood doesn't get in the way. Soft floral aromas of rose petals, strawberries and cranberries lead to flavors of more strawberry and raspberry candy. Rating: … [Read more...] about Alexana Winery 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
Spangler Vineyards 2012 Syrah, Southern Oregon, $27
When Ohio native Pat Spangler purchased the La Garza property in Oregon’s southern Umpqua Valley, it came with some of the region’s oldest plantings of Cab. On the eastern slopes of his property is Sage Hill, and he dotes on the wind-blown Syrah near the top of his estate. That allows him to chase a Côte-Rôtie style, bringing a theme of black pepper, anise, coconut and toast … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2012 Syrah, Southern Oregon, $27
Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Équinoxe Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $50
Jim Sanders, who trained with Michael Etzel of Beaux Frères fame, makes four of Le Cadeau’s top bottlings each year, including the Équinoxe. This Parrett Mountain wine comes from the three center blocks of Le Cadeau Vineyard, which were established in 1999 and planted to Pommard and Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777. Dusty blueberry, cherry, cocoa powder and Cinnamon Imperials … [Read more...] about Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Équinoxe Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $50
Elk Cove Vineyards 2015 Clay Court Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $60
When this young 15-acre Pinot Noir project devoted to Pommard, Dijon 115 and 777 clones became available in 2009, the Campbell family jumped at it. And it’s become a smashing success - not only for winemaking son, Adam, but also for his tennis-loving parents. A product of a record-hot vintage makes for enticing aromas of black cherry jam, dark strawberry, ripe red currant and … [Read more...] about Elk Cove Vineyards 2015 Clay Court Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $60