Both the Pinot Noir (80%) and Pinot Blanc (20%) were grown on this estate, the second-oldest vineyard in Oregon’s McMinnville American Viticultural Area, which doesn’t encompass the college town itself. And the pick for this rosé program wrapped up on Sept. 18, a week earlier than in 2015, in part because Ariel Eberle chose to create this dry, a mere 0.4% residual sugar. That’s … [Read more...] about Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2016 Rosé of Pinots, Willamette Valley, $16
Oregon
Van Duzer Vineyards 2014 Westside Blocks Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $60
During this recent stretch of warm and stunning vintages in the North Willamette Valley, Van Duzer Vineyards seems ideally situated just west of the Eola-Amity Hills appellation. Thanks to the coastal winds through the Van Duzer Corridor, the 84 acres of vines established in the early 1980s by Stanford grads Carl and Marilyn Thoma have been tracked as much as 13 degrees cooler … [Read more...] about Van Duzer Vineyards 2014 Westside Blocks Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $60
Aubichon Cellars 2015 Riverside Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $55
The grower/winemaker tandem of Tom Mortimer and Jim Sanders remain committed to showcasing Riverside Vineyard near the McMinnville American Viticultural Area, and this young release ranks among the best in its portfolio that includes Le Cadeau and Jolete. Those seeking dark purple fruited Pinot Noir from the North Willamette Valley should enjoy markers such as black cherry and … [Read more...] about Aubichon Cellars 2015 Riverside Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $55
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2015 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $32
Rather than fruit and barrel influences that jump from the glass, in this case, there’s delicate and gentle nature to the flagship wine from Jim Bernau. Its delightfully fresh and shy nose is nonetheless beautiful because it gently reveals cranberry, a whiff of garden beds after first sprinkle of rain and a hint of bramble. The palate encourages continued sips to peel back the … [Read more...] about Willamette Valley Vineyards 2015 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $32
Winter’s Hill 2014 Single Block Series Block 1 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $49
Whether it is white or red, the Gladhart family continues to take it from grape to glass in the Dundee Hills in beautiful fashion. Their young Single Block Series from the remarkable 2014 vintage features four two-barrel lots of stunning juice, and Block 1 showcases Pommard on its own roots — a brave endeavor, indeed - that stems from their first 1990 planting. Its easterly … [Read more...] about Winter’s Hill 2014 Single Block Series Block 1 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $49