The Knudsen siblings recently named this tier as their "Family Series," and this bottling by Argyle winemaker Nate Klostermann exemplifies the style has elevated Oregon in the eyes of the Chardonnay. Three blocks of Dijon clones 76 and 96, planted between 1993 and 1995, spent 15 months in a barrel program of French oak that includes 25% new wood. That oak provides only a … [Read more...] about Knudsen Vineyards 2019 Estate Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, $45
Oregon
Lady Hill Winery 2019 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $38
One of Oregon's most approachable examples of Pinot Noir, winemaker Dan Duryee works with the estate St. Columbia Vineyard, history-laden Champoeg and late-ripening Winkler near Yamhill for this fruit-forward expression that continues Lady Hill's tradition. Aromas of dusty President plum, black cherry fruit punch, mocha and fig come to life on the palate in pleasing fashion. … [Read more...] about Lady Hill Winery 2019 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $38
Minimus Wines 2017 Dijon-Free Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $35
UCLA-educated biochemist Meredith Bell grew up in the Willamette Valley and her fascination with Chardonnay explains why she shared in the launch of Chardonnay-only Statera Cellars in 2014. For this Craft Wine Co., project, she and Laura Cusick worked with five non-Dijon clones of Chardonnay — Calera, Wenté, Musqué, Mount Eden and Mendoza — and the lots spent 16 months in a … [Read more...] about Minimus Wines 2017 Dijon-Free Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $35
Sokol Blosser Winery 2019 Bluebird Cuvée Brut Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley, $32
More than a dozen houses for Western bluebirds sit in residence at the Sokol Blosser organically farmed vineyard along the western slopes of Oregon's Dundee Hills, and the label of this lively sparkling wine project features the family's support of the Prescott Western Bluebird Recovery Project. Second-generation winemaker Alex Sokol Blosser builds these bubbles upon Chardonnay … [Read more...] about Sokol Blosser Winery 2019 Bluebird Cuvée Brut Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley, $32
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2020 Estate Selection Pinot Grigio, Umpqua Valley, $25
Stephen Reustle's micro-climate north of Roseburg, Ore., allows him to chase an bright orchard fruit style that Willamette Valley producers have made the style for Oregon. He has changed the name — going to Pinot Grigio rather than Pinot Gris — blending clone 146 and 152 that are fermented in stainless steel. It's an aromatically expressive example, casting out starfruit and … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2020 Estate Selection Pinot Grigio, Umpqua Valley, $25