Cannon Beach Wine Shack proprietor Steve Sinkler collaborates with several winemakers across the five wines that make up his Puffin Brand lineup. For this Pinot Noir, it’s Sean Allen of Pudding River near Oregon’s state capital. And the fruit is 100% Pommard from Allen’s estate. Filled with finesse, it shuffles out layers of raspberry, red currant and cranberry juice that … [Read more...] about Puffin Wines 2019 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $30
Oregon
Zerba Cellars 2018 Winesap Vineyard Estate The Rocks Syrah, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater $60
This bottling signals the second vintage for Brent Roberts spearheading the winemaking at Zerba Cellars, but the Washington State University grad certainly knew about working with Syrah out of The Rocks from his time at Gramercy Cellars in the Walla Walla Valley. His work here shows skill as he ushers the funkiness into the shadows. Instead, the focus stays on dark plum, figs … [Read more...] about Zerba Cellars 2018 Winesap Vineyard Estate The Rocks Syrah, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater $60
Del Rio Vineyards 2021 Estate Grenache Rosé, Rogue Valley $19
Best Buy! Oregon icon Ken Wright helped shine a spotlight on Del Rio Vineyard during the George W. Bush administration with vineyard-designate Syrah under the Tyrus Evans brand. A year after that wine’s release, Rob Wallace hired Jean-Michel Jussiaume, and his latest work with this Rhône variety is scintillating. Orange blossom, white peach and Rainier cherry carry into a … [Read more...] about Del Rio Vineyards 2021 Estate Grenache Rosé, Rogue Valley $19
Bluebird Hill Cellars 2019 South Block Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $54
For the second vintage in a row, Neil and Sue Shay, along with Nick Cheatham, can take pride that their South Block project produced a Platinum Award from Great Northwest Wine. It’s a blend of Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777 all harvested by Oct. 1 and pulled at 22 Brix, which indicates they are looking for long-term success in the cellar. Yet, it’s obviously showing beautifully … [Read more...] about Bluebird Hill Cellars 2019 South Block Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $54
King Estate Winery 2017 Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley $54
There’s more to King Estate than Pinot, and winemaker Brent Stone and his team now to create more than 60 bottlings, which sometimes involves grapes from Washington state. This work with Cabernet Franc spotlights historic Weinbau Vineyard, and the sun-bathed Wahluke Slope site accounted for two Platinums this fall. No variety struggles to ripen here, resulting in a wine of … [Read more...] about King Estate Winery 2017 Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley $54