An invitation from famed Domaine Drouhin to Oregon Pinot Camp in 2004 proved to be a defining moment in Leah Jorgensen’s life. Less than a decade later, she became a leader in Oregon’s movement to promote wines made in the style of France’s Loire Valley - particularly Cabernet Franc. She’s particularly focused on Southern Oregon and for her largest production of Cab Franc works … [Read more...] about Leah Jørgensen Cellars 2015 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon, $25
Oregon
Wine By Joe 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $14
Best Buy! Joe Dobbes, one of Oregon's most successful wine producers, removes pretense and packs some fun into this rosé from Pinot Noir. He offers it as a bargain, thanks in part to the fruit off his 189-acre Sea Breeze Vineyard west of Salem, Ore., and he creates the dry rosé for this tier by using the saignée method. The watermelon color leads to aromas of dried strawberry, … [Read more...] about Wine By Joe 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $14
William Marie Wines 2015 Firethorn Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $32
A decade ago, Edward William Lefferts was a student at Arizona State and met Monique Marie while they were both restaurant employees. This year, they released their first wine of commercial scale - the realization of the vision that prompted them to leave Phoenix for Portland in 2010. Rather than join the Pinot Noir herd, they got rolling with five barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon … [Read more...] about William Marie Wines 2015 Firethorn Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $32
Seven Bridges Winery 2013 Kolibri Vineyard Reserve Malbec, Columbia Valley, $32
Portland winemaker Bob Switzer sources from eight vineyards in Washington for his impressive Seven Bridges portfolio featuring Bordeaux varieties, and here he casts a spotlight upon Kolibri Vineyard, a 7-acre planting just south of historic Cold Creek Vineyard in the northwestern foothills of Washington’s Rattlesnake Mountain. Aromas of black cherry, Jolly Rancher grape candy, … [Read more...] about Seven Bridges Winery 2013 Kolibri Vineyard Reserve Malbec, Columbia Valley, $32
Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Diversité Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $50
One of the southernmost plantings in Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains, just across the Willamette River from Champoeg, gives the Mortimers and their winemakers more than a dozen clones to choose from. Traditionally, half of those - with the Swiss clone Mariafeld among them - make their way into Diversité, which debuted with the 2004 vintage in the hands of Sam Tannahill and Cheryl … [Read more...] about Le Cadeau Vineyard 2015 Diversité Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $50