The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay produced by acclaimed winemaker Tony Rynders for this young brand, created by Marnie Wall and her husband, Brett, will elevate the profile of the nascent Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon appellation — established July 5, 2022 as the state's 23rd American Viticultural Area. Two of the 10 blocks farmed organically by Oregon State University grad … [Read more...] about Open Claim Vineyards 2018 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $75
Oregon
Knudsen Vineyards 2019 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $55
The Knudsen family and their winemaker, Nate Klostermann of Argyle fame, take equal parts from seven blocks across their historic planting for this bright and juicy blend under their Family Series tier. Two of the blocks feature Pommard clonal fruit, two more bring in Dijon 667, and the others are 115, 777 and "suitcase" clone 828. It exudes finesse from opening whiff of rose … [Read more...] about Knudsen Vineyards 2019 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $55
Argyle Winery 2011 Extended Tirage Brut, Oregon, $85
Northwest winemakers remember the 2011 growing season as the last of the cool vintages, with some record keepers ranking it as the coldest growing season since 1954 as Argyle reported bringing in some of grapes into the cellar in early November. Of the dozen sparkling wines Nate Klostermann producers each year, half of those bottlings end up in Argyle's extended tirage program, … [Read more...] about Argyle Winery 2011 Extended Tirage Brut, Oregon, $85
Nicolas-Jay 2020 Affinités Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $50
The winemaking team of Burgundy star Jean-Nicolas Méo and Washington state native Tracy Kendall, recruited from Oregon icon Adelsheim Vineyards by Jay Boberg to help launch Nicolas-Jay, pulls from several of the Willamette Valley's top sites for a Chardonnay crafted in a charming reserve style not seen as often in the Northwest. Their work beautifully blends nuances of a … [Read more...] about Nicolas-Jay 2020 Affinités Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $50
Siduri Wines 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $35
This West Coast brand inspired by the wines of Burgundy and named for Babylon's wine goddess is closing in on 30 years since its founding by Adam Lee and then-wife Dianna Novy. Their 2015 sale of Siduri to Jackson Family Wines went down two years after JFW's initial acquisitions in Oregon — a string of respected vineyards that included Gran Moraine and Maple Grove. Both … [Read more...] about Siduri Wines 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $35