The Gladhart family devoted Block 10 of its Pinot Noir plantings to the Pommard clone, and it has found a home at the highest elevations of its Dundee Hills holdings, topping out at 700 feet. Harvest came Sept. 20, and one of the two barrels were whole-cluster fermented. It’s a basket of cherries that includes complexity of cigar box, mint and cocoa powder, presented within the … [Read more...] about Winter’s Hill Winery 2014 Block 10 Estate Single Block Series Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $49
Oregon
Ponzi Vineyards 2016 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Next year will signal the 40th anniversary of the Ponzi family’s plantings of Pinot Gris, and these pioneers remain very much at the forefront of Oregon’s work with this white grape from Burgundy. Second-generation winemaker Luisa Ponzi likens the 2016 vintage to that of 2006, and this is a gorgeous snapshot of last year. Tropical aromas hinting at banana chips and jasmine … [Read more...] about Ponzi Vineyards 2016 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Abacela 2013 Barrel Select Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $33
As the maturity of the Fault Line Vineyards settles in, Abacela’s amigos benefit. Founding winemaker Earl Jones describes Tempranillo as akin to a Cabernet Sauvignon in its youth, and here are classic notes of Bing cherry, pomegranate and cherry pipe tobacco with the variety's magisterial tannins. While it spent less time in new barrels (31% down from 44% the prior vintage), … [Read more...] about Abacela 2013 Barrel Select Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $33
Winter’s Hill Winery 2014 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $39
The Gladhart family established its vineyard in 1991, and their immediate neighbors along the upper reaches of this southernmost portion of the Dundee Hills include the likes of Domaine Serene and Stoller. A smooth growing season across their Salmon Safe site at 730 feet elevation paved the way for this six-barrel production. The 14 months in oak makes for sweet aromas of … [Read more...] about Winter’s Hill Winery 2014 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $39
Plaisance Ranch 2014 Papa Joe’s Private Stash Pinot Noir, Applegate Valley, $25
Third-generation rancher Joe Ginet began providing vine material for the Oregon wine industry under his Plaisance Viticulture business before he fully transitioned his dairy into a winery in the Applegate Valley. He grows with a handful of Pinot Noir clones across his estate near Jacksonville. Traditionally, he's focused on Pommard, 115 and 777 for this full-bodied drink that … [Read more...] about Plaisance Ranch 2014 Papa Joe’s Private Stash Pinot Noir, Applegate Valley, $25