Melissa Burr and her expanding team on the lower slopes of the Dundee Hills continue to produce a reserve-style Chardonnay for Bill Stoller that shows considerably more toastiness than the program of 18% new French oak might otherwise suggest. Aromas cast out a wealth of toasted oak with hints of lemon pepper and fine-grained sandpaper. There’s more fruitiness to the drink, … [Read more...] about Stoller Family Estate 2014 Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, $35
Oregon
Zena Crown Vineyard 2013 Slope Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $100
Idaho-born Shane Moore graduated form Washington State University’s wine program in 2008 and worked around the world before love led him to Northern California, where he landed at Jackson Family Wines' renowned La Crema Pinot Noir project. The Sonoma giant’s impressive investments in Oregon’s Willamette Valley began with its 2013 purchase of Zena Crown Vineyard west of Salem, … [Read more...] about Zena Crown Vineyard 2013 Slope Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $100
La Crema Winery 2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
Jackson Family Wines invested in the Willamette Valley to create cool-climate Pinot Noir, and here’s another delicious example from a warm vintage in the Pacific Northwest. Elizabeth Grant-Douglas collaborated with eight vineyards, primarily in the Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills growing regions for this deliciously balanced, fruit-forward Pinot Noir. Her reliance on only … [Read more...] about La Crema Winery 2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
Seven of Hearts 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $18
McMinnville winemaker Byron Dooley focuses on two vineyards nearly 60 miles apart — Garden Vineyard north of Hillsboro and Stand Sure Vineyard near Salem — for this mouthwatering example of Pinot Gris being produced in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Aromas of green apple, lime, gooseberry and cashew show the influence of neutral French oak barrels. The blend of stainless steel … [Read more...] about Seven of Hearts 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $18
Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2014 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $18
The Barn and Triangle blocks that Stephen Cary and Ariel Eberle work each year on their Riesling program reach back to the early 1980s, which makes sense since Yamhill Valley Vineyards is home of the second-oldest vineyard in the McMinnville American Viticultural Area. This off-dry offering, harvested Oct. 27, comes across as akin to a German spätlese with its aromas of dried … [Read more...] about Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2014 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $18