There's very little Petite Sirah made in the Pacific Northwest, and Roseburg winemaker Pat Spangler was forced to bottle it as Durif until Oregon relaxed its labeling restrictions several years ago. In 2010, he made the decision to pick on Oct. 24, and it offers aromas of boysenberry, blackberry, crushed walnut and slate. The variety's natural boldness is found on the palate, … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2010 Petite Sirah, Southern Oregon, $30
Oregon
Spangler Vineyards 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon, $39
Ten years ago, when Pat and Loree Spangler purchased their Roseburg winery, part of the package were several acres of dry-farmed, old vine Cabernet Sauvignon that flank the tasting room. The harvest date for that reserve lot was Oct. 28, and he continues his tradition of age-worthy, food-friendly reds. There's a theme of classic notes such as dried cherry, dark chocolate, … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon, $39
Barking Frog Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc, Washington, $34
Ron Helbig focused attention on his Carlton, Ore. winery in 2005 soon after retiring as an drafting/manufacturing instructor at Clackamas Community College, but he targets Elerding Vineyard in Washington's Horse Heaven Hills for some of his big reds. He's enjoyed consistent success in competitions with Cabernet Franc, a variety that judges can be particularly fickle with. … [Read more...] about Barking Frog Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc, Washington, $34
Spangler Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon, $26
This grape requires more hangtime than most of its Bordeaux siblings, but that's typically not a problem in Southern Oregon. Roseburg winemaker Patrick Spangler took this lot on Oct. 24 to produced a low-alcohol, food-friendly Cab Franc that "Francophiles" should embrace. Sweet herbal aromas pick up notes of cherry, cranberry, blueberry and chocolate. Inside comes a big entry … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon, $26
Barking Frog Winery 2009 Bailey Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $32
Ron Helbig's work with skilled winemaker Laurent Montalieu gained him access to Bailey Estate Vineyard, which is southwest of Hillsboro, Ore., and provides the Pommard and Wadensville clonal fruit for this vibrant Pinot Noir. It offers aromas of raspberry, dark strawberry, Bing cherry, violet and toasted oak, and the juicy drink delivers flavors of red currant, pie cherry and … [Read more...] about Barking Frog Winery 2009 Bailey Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $32