Drawing on vines from near the Bickford family's bucolic tasting room, Hood River native Rich Cushman crafted a wine with the bouquet of wild roses, spice and tropical fruit that resolves in the mouth into an appealing sipper with flavors of pink grapefruit, more spice and just-right acidity perfect to accompany that holiday bird or sweet and sour Asian fare. It earned a gold … [Read more...] about Mt. Hood Winery 2019 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Gorge, $24
Outstanding
Northwest Cellars 2015 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $24
Robert Delf highlighted the Andrews family's Coyote Canyon Vineyard as part of his Merlot program with the 2012 vintage, and he netted at least one gold medal in a regional or national wine competition per year since then. This bottling from the historically hot vintage seems to be on par with its predecessors. Brambleberries, maduro tobacco leaf, ground savory and toasted oak … [Read more...] about Northwest Cellars 2015 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $24
Alloro Vineyard 2018 Estate Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains, $39
Tom Fitzpatrick's work in the cellar with owner/grower Tom Nemarnik's fruit prompted The Seattle Times to select the Alloro Vineyard 2017 Estate Pinot Noir as its No. 1 wine from Oregon in 2020, and this Chardonnay from the Chehalem Mountains producer also ranks among the Northwest's best examples on the market. The Illinois native who got his winemaking spark while living in … [Read more...] about Alloro Vineyard 2018 Estate Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains, $39
Cave B Estate Winery 2019 Estate Roussanne, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $27
Chef-turned-winemaker Freddy Arredondo uses this often-overlooked Rhône white grape to creates a wine for a Chardonnay lover who is looking for something new and special. It's fruit cocktail in a glass, and the flavors show off with creamy spun sugar, white peach and pear. The brightness to the finish brings a bit of fresh spritz and pushes honey-lemon preserves out to the last … [Read more...] about Cave B Estate Winery 2019 Estate Roussanne, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $27
Argyle Winery 2018 Grower Series Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $27
The flagship Pinot Noir of this historic brand remains steadfast as one of Oregon's most approachable and affordable examples. Nate Klostermann, only the second winemaker in Argyle's 30-year history, now produces more than seven distinctive expressions of Pinot Noir, and this vintage marks the commercial debut of young Giving Tree Vineyard. Lone Star Vineyard in the Eola-Amity … [Read more...] about Argyle Winery 2018 Grower Series Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $27