This large-scale release started with hand-selected berries dropped in 25-pound totes from Sept. 12 through Oct. 9. At that point, the hands-on work of Arron Bell and a barrel regimen with 20% new French oak allows for the richness of the ripe 2014 vintage to be on display. Fruity aromas of black raspberry and Bing cherry include cocoa powder, black olive and dusty minerality. … [Read more...] about Domaine Drouhin Oregon 2014 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $45
Oregon
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Dolium Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, $32
Southern Oregon vintner Stephen Reustle began growing Grüner Veltliner in 2003 in his original Romancing Rock Vineyard, and he’s now up to 5 acres of the white Austrian grape when factoring in the 2008 planting of Prayer Rock Vineyard. This marks his second vintage of fermentation of Grüner in concrete, hence its name in honor of the traditional vase used during Roman times. … [Read more...] about Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Dolium Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, $32
Elk Cove Vineyards 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Year after year, one of Oregon’s largest productions of Pinot Gris also ranks among the best in the Pacific Northwest - thanks to the long-range devotion of the Campbell family and second-generation winemaker Adam Campbell. Some of their vines stem back to 1985, and the 50 acres established within Mount Richmond Vineyard stand among the largest in the North Willamette Valley. … [Read more...] about Elk Cove Vineyards 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Henry Estate Winery 2015 Müller-Thurgau, Umpqua Valley, $15
Best Buy! The Henry family continues to produce one of the most consistently delicious examples of Müller-Thurgau grown in the Pacific Northwest. Their work in Southern Oregon’s Umpqua Valley allows them to hang 6 tons per acre and pick it well below 24 Brix, allowing them to develop aromas of Pink Lady apple, pear and clove with touches of Jolly Rancher grape candy and … [Read more...] about Henry Estate Winery 2015 Müller-Thurgau, Umpqua Valley, $15
Armonéa Winery 2014 Summit Vineyard Estate Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, $20
Summit Vineyard is a bucolic 5-acre planting that’s among the first in the Dundee Hills, established in 1970 surrounding the 115-year-old building that now serves as Wine Country Farm B&B. A horse-drawn cart transports the grapes to the winery and adds some charm to the operation headed by Alberto Alcazar. His latest estate Pinot Gris is presented in a slightly off-dry … [Read more...] about Armonéa Winery 2014 Summit Vineyard Estate Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills, $20