When properly groomed, Riesling excels in the Willamette Valley, and Lynn Penner-Ash made the call on this 3 acres of estate fruit on Oct. 25. The Clone 12 Riesling came in at 20 brix, and her decision to leave 10% of the lot in French oak adds remarkable complexity. There's a tickling of facial powder and a whiff of smoke in the nose, along with baked apple, cotton candy, … [Read more...] about Alexana Winery 2012 Revana Vineyard Riesling, Dundee Hills, $28
Oregon
Foris Vineyards Winery 2011 Riesling, Rogue Valley, $14
Best Buy! A cool and late harvest meant picking close to November, but that promoted about 15 percent botrytis in their Cave Junction vineyard that winemaker Bryan Wilson embraces. Floral aromas gather up whiffs of lavender and clove with fresh-out-of-the-oven apple pie. It's apple and peach on the rich palate, and the slight sweetness on the midpalate from 1.1% residual sugar … [Read more...] about Foris Vineyards Winery 2011 Riesling, Rogue Valley, $14
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $14
Best Buy! Last year, Don Crank marked his 10th anniversary of working for Jim Bernau at the Turner, Ore., winery, and this semi-sweet version ranks with the largest bottlings of this noble white in the state. Aromas are reminsicent of ripe Barlett pear, peach and apple pie spice. There's a delicious blend of ambrosia salad and agave nectar on the rich palate. The residual sugar … [Read more...] about Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $14
Anam Cara Cellars 2012 Nicholas Estate Gewürztraminer, Chehalem Mountains, $24
The 2014 edition of Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book raves about the Pinot Noir and dry Riesling coming off Anam Cara's estate vineyard, and the renowned British writer could also mention the dessert-style Gewürz on offer at this Newberg, Ore., tasting room, too. Its nose is filled with apricot jam, poached pear, clove and honey. The same can be used to describe the fluid, where … [Read more...] about Anam Cara Cellars 2012 Nicholas Estate Gewürztraminer, Chehalem Mountains, $24
Artisanal Wine Cellars 2010 Adams Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $30
Peter and Carol Adams began planting their vineyard in 1976 near their friend — David Adelsheim — and produced wine under their first label five years later. In time, these grapes went to Lynn Penner-Ash at Rex Hill before being sold to a handful winemakers and now the Adams' new Trout Lily Ranch brand. — Tom Feller at Artisanal Wine Cellars delivers fruit-driven aromas of plum … [Read more...] about Artisanal Wine Cellars 2010 Adams Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $30