The name of this superpremium Pinot Noir from one of Oregon's pioneer wineries translates to "The Magic Night," which Erath winemaker Gary Horner describes as "the defining moment when one falls in love with Pinot Noir." Horner puts a great deal of effort into this wine, selecting the top barrels each vintage for this blend. He used grapes from three vineyards, with more than … [Read more...] about Erath 2010 Reserve La Nuit Magique Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $65
Oregon
Elk Cove Vineyards 2011 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Second-generation winemaker Adam Campbell is amazingly consistent with Pinot Gris. Every year, it seems, he is able to dial in what must be his highest-production wine. His 2010 earned our top "Outstanding" rating, and he did it again this year, making his Pinot Gris one of the sure bets in Oregon white wines. This opens with pretty aromas of apple, pear, sweet lemon, lime zest … [Read more...] about Elk Cove Vineyards 2011 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19
Gresser Vineyard 2009 Vineyard Select Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $19
We had to do a double-take on the price of this superb Pinot Noir by Paul Gates because rarely do we find anything of this quality below $30, much less below $20. This young producer is in the northern Willamette Valley town of Forest Grove and uses estate grapes from the nearby Chehalem Mountains. This opens with gorgeous aromas of pomegranate, plum, toasted coconut and exotic … [Read more...] about Gresser Vineyard 2009 Vineyard Select Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $19
Ghost Hill Cellars 2011 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Spirit of Pinot Noir Rosé, Yamhill-Carlton, $18
The Bayliss family, joined by son-in-law Cameron Bower, is showing a flair for growing Pinot Noir on the Savannah Ridge near Carlton, Ore., and Rebecca Pittock-Shouldis creates a skillfully serious pink that’s protected by screwcap. The amazingly fruit-forward nose of raspberry, strawberry and Elberta peach transitions to flavors of white strawberry, pink raspberry and Red … [Read more...] about Ghost Hill Cellars 2011 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Spirit of Pinot Noir Rosé, Yamhill-Carlton, $18
Sweet Cheeks Winery 2011 Vintage Riesling, Oregon, $14
Best Buy! Estate vineyards first planted in 1978 at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, south of Eugene, Ore., make up most of this blend definitely appeals to the tasting room crowd. It’s hugely tropical from beginning to end, flashing aromas of guava and lychee, backed by minerality and a whiff of petrol. The drink is akin to fruit cocktail in a medium syrup, finished … [Read more...] about Sweet Cheeks Winery 2011 Vintage Riesling, Oregon, $14