The Baileys dry-farm their 15 acres of Pinot Noir, most of which date back to 1989 across this bucolic property west of McMinnville. The heritage of their Cuvée is an estate blend of Dijon clone 777 off their young Camelot Block, established in 2008, with clone 828 fruit from the cooler Eola-Amity Hills appellation nearby. Aromas of dark raspberry, ripe strawberry and pie … [Read more...] about Youngberg Hill 2014 Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $35
Oregon
Alloro Vineyard 2014 Estate Riservata Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $45
While Tom Fitzpatrick gains publicity for his own Élevée Winegrowers project in Oregon’s Dundee Hills, his seven years with David Nemarnik’s Alloro Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains continues to serve as the main stage for his talents. This represents his fifth vintage working with these manicured 78 acres planted in Laurelwood soils, and he orchestrated this blend that leads … [Read more...] about Alloro Vineyard 2014 Estate Riservata Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $45
Aubichon Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $35
A decade ago, Jim Sanders went beyond just the hired gun for Tom Mortimer’s Le Cadeau Vineyard’s Equinox Pinot Noir program to partner in their successful Aubichon Cellars brand in Oregon's North Willamette Valley. The Mortimer planting on the southern edge of Parrett Mountain traditionally forms the base of this flagship bottling, and there’s plenty of ripe, dark blue notes … [Read more...] about Aubichon Cellars 2015 Pinot Noir, Oregon, $35
Lenné Estate 2014 Cinq élus Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $72
It translates to “five chosen,” and Steve Lutz dedicates the best barrel of each of the five Pinot Noir clones that are the focus of his dry-farmed estate near Yamhill, Ore. He planted his 15-acre site across Laughlin Road from WillaKenzie Vineyards in 2001, and 2014 is only the second vintage for Cinq élus from the Pommard, 114, 115, 667 and 777. Enticing aromas of strawberry … [Read more...] about Lenné Estate 2014 Cinq élus Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $72
Stoller Family Estate 2016 Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, $25
As one of the leaders of the Chardonnay renaissance in Oregon, Stoller Family Estate is focused on Dijon clones for its 53 acres of work with that grape, and clone 95 head up the plantings in that distinct red Jory soil. Melissa Burr, who now works with for vineyard manager Jason Tosch, continues to drive a fruit-forward Chardonnay approach that’s bright and juicy, carrying … [Read more...] about Stoller Family Estate 2016 Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, $25