The Specters first planted their vineyard above Newberg, Ore., in 2014, and this blend of Pommard and Dijon clone 667 (two barrels of each) in Jory soil is from those vines that are coming into their own. In fact, these lots, picked on Oct. 3, 2020 at 25 Brix, resulted in just the second bottling of estate Pinot Noir. Named in tribute to works by composers Mozart and Gustav … [Read more...] about Bells Up Winery 2020 Estate Jupiter Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $48
Oregon
Schultz Wines 2017 Steelhead Run Vineyard Blessed Merlot, Applegate Valley $32.00
Greg and Debbie Schultz farm Merlot organically at their Glory Oaks Vineyard in Southern Oregon, but here they spotlight the versatility of Steelhead Run Vineyard — a dry-farmed site renowned for Rhône varieties — and the winemaking of Medford’s Linda Donovan at Pallet Wine Co. It’s dark, lovely and coming into its own, loaded with blackberry, smoky plum, dried fig and violets. … [Read more...] about Schultz Wines 2017 Steelhead Run Vineyard Blessed Merlot, Applegate Valley $32.00
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 Merlot, Columbia Valley $34.00
This Hood River, Ore., producer has been on a roll of late, exemplified by its four Platinums in 2021 — all for work with red Bordeaux varieties. Some of it can be attributed to owner Robb Bell’s exploration in Washington vineyards for some of the red wines. Now, Sonoma-based winemaker Michael Sebastiani gets to incorporate prized Elephant Mountain Vineyard in the Yakima Valley … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 Merlot, Columbia Valley $34.00
King Estate Winery 2015 Weinbau Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley $50.00
While the 2021 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year is nationally known for Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, Ed King’s team — led by Brent Stone — also does award-winning bottlings of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and this Merlot. Here is the only expression from the 2015 vintage to go gold in this tasting, but its sourcing from Sagemoor farms at Weinbau Vineyard on Washington’s … [Read more...] about King Estate Winery 2015 Weinbau Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley $50.00
Spangler Vineyards 2016 Merlot, Oregon $29.00
Not long after it was released, Patrick Spangler earned a Platinum for his work with this 2016 Merlot. Now, the 2018 Oregon Winery of the Year has qualified it for another round at Platinum Awards by earning a gold medal this winter. There’s remarkable brightness to the dark red fruit, which plays well with the charming profile provided by the barrel influences of baking spice … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2016 Merlot, Oregon $29.00