Gordon Root planned to dedicate all of this property for the construction of high-end homes a few hundred yards from Lake Oswego Country Club. Plans changed, much to the pleasure of those who enjoy Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - particularly those crafted by acclaimed Laurent Montalieu. Fruit maturity is not an issue for the 23-acre vineyard site Root carved out of the bramble … [Read more...] about Tumwater Vineyard 2018 Tumwater Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $35
Outstanding
Cedergreen Cellars 2017 Gamay Noir, Columbia Valley, $27
Kevin Cedergreen dialed in his Gamay Noir program virtually immediately, starting with the 2015 vintage and pulling from Skyline Vineyard, a planting at more than 1,100 feet elevation in the Columbia Basin. Tank-fermented and allowed to age 18 months in a puncheon, this is an elegant, light-bodied wine with a lot of personality. Aromas of pomegranate, cranberry sauce and summer … [Read more...] about Cedergreen Cellars 2017 Gamay Noir, Columbia Valley, $27
Two Mountain Winery 2017 Copeland Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $23
The Rawn brothers pay tribute to their grandmother - Gladys Copeland Schmidt - with their 20-year-old vinyeard planted across 26 acres in the Rattlesnake Hills overlooking the Yakima Valley. Patrick oversees the vines, who delivers the grapes to his winemaker, Matthew. Together, they team up to produce some of the best values in the state, with this estate Merlot among the most … [Read more...] about Two Mountain Winery 2017 Copeland Vineyard Merlot, Yakima Valley, $23
Cinder Wines 2019 GSM Rosé, Snake River Valley, $23
One of the Northwest's most exciting producers branches out its rosé program with a third Rhône-inspired release, this one spearheaded by Melanie Krause's assistant winemaker, Hailey Alexander. Her work is blend of Grenache (9%), Syrah (67%) and Mourvèdre (24%) from Sawtooth and Williamson vineyards west of Idaho's state capital. Delicious fruitiness ranges from strawberry, … [Read more...] about Cinder Wines 2019 GSM Rosé, Snake River Valley, $23
Dusted Valley Vintners 2017 Stained Tooth Syrah, Columbia Valley, $36
Considering that the Braunel and Johnson families named their wine club "The Stained Tooth Society," it's never a surprise when this Syrah merits our top rating. A key component is StoneTree Vineyard - Tedd Wildman's site on the sultry Wahluke Slope - but there's also the influence of Dusted Valley's Stoney Vine in The Rocks District and Breezy Slope - another Walla Walla … [Read more...] about Dusted Valley Vintners 2017 Stained Tooth Syrah, Columbia Valley, $36