The impressive string of gems from Steve Lutz's vineyard and cellar from the 2019 vintage includes this stunning tribute to his mother-in-law that spotlights his work with clone 115 Pinot Noir. These vines are nicely into their second decade of life near Yamhill, Ore., and Lutz allows the site to speak with unmuted complexity and approachability amid an unfiltered approach. … [Read more...] about Lenné Estate 2019 Jill’s 115 Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $60
Oregon
Bailey Family Wines 2018 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $85
It's been nearly 20 years since Wayne Bailey and his wife, Nicolette, began to transform iconic Youngberg Hill near McMinnville, Ore., into an organic project. However, they've only recently begun to roll out bottlings from their eponymous reserve brand — Bailey Family Wines. They focus their Chardonnay program on Biodynamically farmed Dijon clones in their Aspen block, named … [Read more...] about Bailey Family Wines 2018 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $85
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2021 Estate Selection Pinot Grigio, Umpqua Valley $26
Of the 48 career Platinums awarded to Southern Oregon’s Stephen Reustle, 19 have been for work with white wines, but not one for Pinot Gris. Perhaps this fall will produce his first. Some of the vines for this program are nearly 20 years old, and they are thriving in this valley north of Roseburg. The beautiful nose is filled with lemon verbena, peach blossom and dusty white … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2021 Estate Selection Pinot Grigio, Umpqua Valley $26
Trella Vineyards 2016 Pinot Gris, Umpqua Valley $16
Best Buy! Terry Brandborg in Elkton, Ore., has been quietly behind a number of Southern Oregon’s top wines — including those of Trella Vineyards, selected as the 2020 Oregon Winery to Watch by Great Northwest Wine’s editorial team. Owners/physicians Stephen and Susan Williams grow the 7 acres of grapes that they hire Brandborg to vinify. He turned three wines from the 2016 … [Read more...] about Trella Vineyards 2016 Pinot Gris, Umpqua Valley $16
Flora Jane Cellars 2021 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $22
Johnny Brose, the winemaking instructor at Chemeketa College’s Northwest Wine Studies Center in Salem, would be letting down his students if he doesn’t use this Pinot Gris, under his new personal brand, as a lesson plan. Other winemakers could take notes, too. Brose worked a year in the cellar at King Estate before spending two vintages making wine in Washington’s Yakima … [Read more...] about Flora Jane Cellars 2021 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $22