The trailblazing Carlton Winemakers Studio opened in 2002, and Andrew Rich has been there as long as CWS founder — Eric Hamacher. Rich shifted his career away from journalism, leaving New York City for winemaking school in Burgundy, and seemingly never looked back. His approach to this Pinot Noir is rather fascinating, selecting vines specifically planted in soils such as … [Read more...] about Andrew Rich Wines 2019 Marine Sedimentary Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $48
Oregon
Youngberg Hill Winery 2018 Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $45
Owner/grower/winemaker Wayne Bailey continues to reference on the label "Willamette Valley" as the American Viticultural Area, yet his postcard vineyard, tasting room and iconic B&B are nested within the McMinnville AVA and just a 10-minute drive from the downtown where Ken Wright and the late David Lett made wine. Opulent notes of black cherry, plum, cinnamon and toasted … [Read more...] about Youngberg Hill Winery 2018 Cuvée Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $45
Abacela 2018 East Hill Block Estate Reserve Malbec, Umpqua Valley $48
Kentucky-born pioneer Earl Jones planted the five primary Bordeaux varieties when he established Fault Line Vineyards in 1995, but Malbec has been the chosen one from the start. Its footprint has been expanded over time and now accounts for 7.5 acres — nearly 10% of Abacela’s 76 acres. Within those documented 25 variety site trials, Malbec falls within the “consistently great … [Read more...] about Abacela 2018 East Hill Block Estate Reserve Malbec, Umpqua Valley $48
Balboa Winery 2019 Malbec, Walla Walla Valley $45
While The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater grew its fame with Syrah, Balboa owner/winemaker Tom Glase has long made Bordeaux varieties from The Rocks a drawing card for tourists. For Malbec, he works with Stone Valley Vineyard, a late-ripening site established in 2002 by Norm McKibben as part of Seven Hills West. It’s a site now managed by Tom Waliser, whose experience with … [Read more...] about Balboa Winery 2019 Malbec, Walla Walla Valley $45
Capital Call Wine Group 2020 Liquid Assets Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $65
Longtime geologist Alan Busacca, who has successfully petitioned the federal government to establish a number of American Viticultural Areas, continues to grow his partnership with Iowa-based farmland executive Steve Bruere on their Windhorse and Wheatfield Vines projects in the Columbia Gorge and Walla Walla Valley, respectively. They recently launched the cleverly named … [Read more...] about Capital Call Wine Group 2020 Liquid Assets Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $65