McMinnville vintner Wayne Bailey has joined others in Oregon’s Willamette Valley by transitioning some of his Pinot Gris over to Chardonnay. His remaining 2 1/2 acres of 10-year-old Gris in the family's Aspen Block makes for an easy and delicious drink. Tropical tones with Key Lime lead into orchard fruit notes of apricot and Granny Smith apple, where the off-dry approach at … [Read more...] about Youngberg Hill 2016 Aspen Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $25
Oregon
Spangler Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon, $28
Umpqua Valley winemaker Patrick Spangler has an affinity for Bordeaux varieties, and he continues to create them with in an expressive and age-worthy fashion. His Cabernet Franc opens with aromas of alder smoke, black currant, Marionberry and chokecherry include savory bacon and forest floor. Inside, it’s packed with flavors of Bing cherry jam, more smoked meat and a firm grip … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon, $28
Vidon Vineyard 2015 Estate Apollo Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains, $60
Korean War veteran Don Hagge spent much of his post-Navy career as a physicist with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, particularly missions 7 through 13 of Project Apollo. This launching of the Apollo Chardonnay signals another stage in the Space Exploration Series by this octogenarian grower/winemaker near Newberg, Ore., and he doted on this single, once-used … [Read more...] about Vidon Vineyard 2015 Estate Apollo Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains, $60
Ghost Hill Cellars 2014 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $42
This vintage marked the final crush at Ghost Hills Cellars for Rebecca Pittock-Shouldis, and she’s left the Bayliss family in Carlton, Ore., with a delicious string of Pinot Noir. Sticking with tradition, this blend starts with Pommard (45%) and follows with Dijon 777 (20%), Dijon 114 (20%) and Wädenswil (15%). Enticing aromas of cherry jam, dark strawberry and cinnamon … [Read more...] about Ghost Hill Cellars 2014 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $42
Welsh Family Wines 2015 Bjornson Vineyards Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $38
Dry-farmed blocks of Pommard and Dijon 777 across the 8 acres of Kristjan’s Block in rising star Bjornson Vineyard near Salem, Ore., are turned into this full-bodied Pinot Noir by Portland urban winemaker Dan Welsh. One of the three barrels he used was new French oak, and that helps account for the nice spicy nose of plum jam, blueberry and allspice with cocoa. The juice is … [Read more...] about Welsh Family Wines 2015 Bjornson Vineyards Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $38