Attorney-turned-winemaker Dave Specter is into the second decade at his Chehalem Mountains winery north of downtown Newberg, Ore., and he's helped cast a spotlight upon several emerging small vineyards along the way. For his Villanelle tier, it's been Tonnelier Vineyard, a 4-acre Pinot Noir project by Mike Slater in a neighborhood that includes McCrone - a renowned site in the … [Read more...] about Bells Up Winery 2018 Tonnelier Vineyard Villanelle Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $58
Outstanding
Tongue River Winery 2020 Itasca, Montana, $18
Ohio State University researcher Patrick Pierquet is credited with helping to develop Itasca during his time at the University of Minnesota, and Montana winegrower Robert Thaden was among the first to plant this winter-hardy white variety soon after it was released to the U.S. wine industry in 2017. An offspring of Frotenac Gris, its natural brightness arrives early with aromas … [Read more...] about Tongue River Winery 2020 Itasca, Montana, $18
Argyle Winery 2016 Knudsen Vineyard Brut, Dundee Hills, $50
Own-rooted Pommard vines in Oregon are closing in on extinction in the Willamette Valley, and the late Cal Knudsen planted this Pinot Noir block in 1974 at the 900-foot level of the Dundee Hills. Minnesota native Nate Klostermann dedicates these bubbles to that historic Pinot Noir, and he had this fruit harvested at 19 Brix and downhill from Knudsen Vineyard into the Argyle … [Read more...] about Argyle Winery 2016 Knudsen Vineyard Brut, Dundee Hills, $50
Ponzi Vineyards 2017 Pinot Noir, Laurelwood District $45
This gorgeous Pinot Noir from Luisa Ponzi is among the first wines to be bottled with the American Viticultural Area "Laurelwood District" on the bottle, and this melange of certified sustainable plantings should be viewed as a talisman of the appellation. Fruit from her family's Aurora, Avellana and Madrona plantings blended with Gemini, Paloma, Sufi and rising star Alloro … [Read more...] about Ponzi Vineyards 2017 Pinot Noir, Laurelwood District $45
Plaisance Ranch 2018 G.S.M. Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre, Applegate Valley, $35
A working farm since before the Civil War, Plaisance Ranch and dairyman-turned-winegrower Joe Ginet continue to show the diversity of Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley with this Rhône-inspired blend of estate Grenache (50%), Syrah (25%) and Mourvèdre. Layered with aromas of boysenberry, watermelon, fresh thyme and caramel corn, juicy purple fruit takes the lead on the palate … [Read more...] about Plaisance Ranch 2018 G.S.M. Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre, Applegate Valley, $35