There are a lot of things to love about Seven of Hearts, a small Oregon producer. First and foremost are the wines (this label focuses on Bordeaux varieties), but a close second is Dana Dooley, winemaker Byron Dooley's wife, who runs Honest Chocolates, an artisan candy maker on the main drag in Carlton, Ore. Put it on your itinerary for the next time you're in Oregon wine … [Read more...] about Chateau Figareaux 2011 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $29
Oregon
Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2011 Chloe’s Breeze Müller-Thurgau, Willamette Valley, $12
Best Buy! At one time, this white grape was the most-planted variety in Germany (Riesling has since reclaimed the title). The variety was created in the 1880s by Dr. Hermann Müller in the Thurgau region of Switzerland. It is a cross of two varieties: Riesling and Madeleine Royale. It is a superb cool-climate variety that is planted west of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, … [Read more...] about Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2011 Chloe’s Breeze Müller-Thurgau, Willamette Valley, $12
Carabella Vineyard 2010 Dijon 76 Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains, $27
Oregon winemakers spent more than a decade trying to import Chardonnay clones from Burgundy to Oregon so they could start working with superior grapes. Dijon clone 76 was one of the first to arrive in the mid-1980s. This example from a Wilsonville winery opens with aromas of jicama, kumquat, lemon curd, toast and banana chip. On the palate, it offers rich flavors of … [Read more...] about Carabella Vineyard 2010 Dijon 76 Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains, $27
Tartan Cellars 2007 Sunnyside Vineyard Tempranillo, Willamette Valley, $20
Darcy Pendergrass, the head winemaker at Amity Vineyards in the northern Willamette Valley, has launched her own side project called Tartan - a nod to her Scottish heritage. This Tempranillo - rare for the Willamette Valley - comes from Sunnyside, a favorite vineyard for Amity wines. It opens with aromas of savory, red currant, chocolate and green peppercorn, followed by … [Read more...] about Tartan Cellars 2007 Sunnyside Vineyard Tempranillo, Willamette Valley, $20
Luminous Hills 2011 Estate Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $35
Luminous Hills is a high-end label for Seven of Hearts Winery in Oregon and is named for owner/winemaker Byron Dooley's 15-acre vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA in the northern Willamette Valley. This blend of four Pinot Noir clones opens with aromas of cherry, lime juice, strawberry and lavender, followed by flavors of pie cherry, cranberry and pomegranate. It is backed … [Read more...] about Luminous Hills 2011 Estate Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $35