Polk County winemaker Dave Jepson pulls from his group’s well-tended vineyard north of Corvallis, Ore., and his collection of Dijon clone Pinot Noir stands just east of the acclaimed 200-acre Domaine Loubejac planting. Jepson's melange of five clones, cropped at less than 1-ton per acre, are influenced by a blend of French oak barrels from the Allier and Vosges forests, … [Read more...] about Treos Wines 2013 Estate Pinot Noir Elegant Reserve, Willamette Valley, $35
Oregon
Abacela 2014 Fiesta Estate Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $23
The Pacific Northwest’s growing thirst for Tempranillo might be most evident with Abacela’s Fiesta project. Production for their most approachable example of this robust Spanish grape from the 2014 vintage marks a 40 percent increase from the prior harvest. Seven separate picks from across the Jones family’s Fault Line Vineyards were wrapped up by Oct. 9, and winemaker Andrew … [Read more...] about Abacela 2014 Fiesta Estate Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $23
Plaisance Ranch 2014 Papa Joe’s Private Stash Mondeuse, Applegate Valley, $30
One of the most fascinating and fun stories is that of erstwhile dairyman Joe Ginet, who was inspired to enter the wine industry because of his ancestral ties to Mondeuse - an obscure grape in his native Savoie region of France. These three barrels of this wine serve as the signature for this Southern Oregon grower/winemaker, and it comes across with a theme of blueberry, black … [Read more...] about Plaisance Ranch 2014 Papa Joe’s Private Stash Mondeuse, Applegate Valley, $30
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Estate Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $39
A growing number of Southern Oregon producers offer three or more styles of Tempranillo. Stephen Reustle takes it up a notch with this extremely cellar-worthy example. It’s one of four examples, and it’s a blend of clone 01 and clone 3. The theme is one of black currant and cherry with touches of lavender, lilac, black olive and light toast. Pomegranate acidity and plum skin … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2014 Winemaker’s Reserve Estate Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $39
Abacela NV Estate Vintner’s Blend #16, Umpqua Valley, $18
The robust Spanish grape Tempranillo is the historic headliner at storied Abacela in Southern Oregon, and so it understandably makes up essentially half of this Mediterranean-style blend that calls upon 11 varieties. Syrah is the next grape up (21%) for winemaker Andrew Wenzl, who used it to create remarkable balance while toning down the tannins. There’s still ample grip, yet … [Read more...] about Abacela NV Estate Vintner’s Blend #16, Umpqua Valley, $18