Columbia Gorge vintner Robb Bell and Sonoma winemaker Michael Sebastiani show their dedication to Merlot in Oregon with this vineyard-designate project with Reid Vineyard, up the Columbia River near The Dalles. Their approach for 22 months with a blend of barrels creates aromas of blackberry and cherry juice with Sunsweet Dried Plums and pink peppercorns. On the palate, there’s … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2013 Reid Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley, $32
Oregon
Panther Creek Cellars 2014 Winemaker’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
The flagship Pinot Noir bottling by Tony Rynders for Oregon’s rejuvenated Panther Creek brand encompasses four growing regions and six vineyards, including the large Wildewood and Loubejac plantings influenced by the Van Duzer Corridor near Monmouth. There’s a slightly hedonistic approach to this darker Pinot Noir, starting with aromas of black cherry and blackberry with … [Read more...] about Panther Creek Cellars 2014 Winemaker’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
Silvan Ridge Winery 2014 Malbec, Rogue Valley, $26
Juan Pablo Valot’s instinctive touch for Malbec is revealed again as the Argentine pulls from the Rogue Valley. This marks the fourth vintage of Malbec for this Eugene, Ore., property, and the Mendoza native produces greatness from Gold Vineyard near Talent. Dark purple fruit tones of black currant and dark plum pick up boysenberry acidity, savory black olive notes and … [Read more...] about Silvan Ridge Winery 2014 Malbec, Rogue Valley, $26
Dobbes Family Estate 2015 Sundown Vineyard Viognier, Rogue Valley, $26
Dundee, Ore., winemaker Joe Dobbes can be viewed as the state’s pioneer with Viognier. It's a love affair inspired by a 1989 dining experience in Lyon, and it blossomed a few years later with Southern Oregon growers Don and Traute Moore on behalf of Willamette Valley Vineyards’ Griffin Creek brand. This complex Viognier from the Moore family’s Sundown Vineyard near Talent shows … [Read more...] about Dobbes Family Estate 2015 Sundown Vineyard Viognier, Rogue Valley, $26
Silvan Ridge Winery 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $16
Argentine winemaker Juan Pablo Valot creates the Pinot Gris for this historic Eugene property in a crisp Oregon style that’s far from tropical. In fact, it’s a bone-dry Pinot Gris for Sauvignon Blanc lovers with the focus on gooseberry, lime and lemon with minerality and scintillating acidity that screams for oysters on the half shell. Rating: Excellent Production: 1,200 … [Read more...] about Silvan Ridge Winery 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $16