Best Buy! This vintage marked the 50th anniversary of Hester Creek Estate Winery, and Rob Summers pulled Pinot Gris from both sides of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley - on the Black Sage Bench as well as from the 105-acre estate along the Golden Mile south of Oliver. It's compelling and complex, starting with fanciful aromas of dried apricot, pineapple and cotton candy. On … [Read more...] about Hester Creek Estate Winery 2018 Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, $17
Outstanding
Stoller Family Estate 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, $28
One of Oregon's flagship productions of rosé from Pinot Noir, this vintage also marked the promotion of Ben Howe to director of winemaking operation. The growth of this rosé program is reflected on the label, which indicates Howe worked with growers beyond the Dundee Hills. There's complexity to its theme of dried strawberry, red currant and cranberry, which offers some … [Read more...] about Stoller Family Estate 2018 Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, $28
Tendril Wine Cellars 2015 Extrovert Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $52
Tony Rynders recent has gone downtown with the move of both his Tendril Wines and Child's Play Wines brands into historic Carlton, Ore., and a short walk from where he helped Domaine Serene begin its rise to fame. This latest example of Extrovert Pinot Noir lives up to its name. Bright, beautiful fruit and a bit of clove jumps out of the glass on the first smell. Raspberries, … [Read more...] about Tendril Wine Cellars 2015 Extrovert Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $52
Pete’s Mountain Vineyard & Winery 2015 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Elijah’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $38
Mike and Kristy Thayer live on Pete's Mountain near the Portland suburb of West Linn, and their ridge-top tasting room and vineyard offer some of the best views of Mount Hood in Northwest wine country. The Thayers also have a growing following for their wines, thanks in part to the association with grower/winemaker Jarrod Boyle of Alexandria Nicole Cellars fame in Washington. … [Read more...] about Pete’s Mountain Vineyard & Winery 2015 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Elijah’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $38
Carl’s Pond Winery 2013 Merlot, Yakima Valley, $15
Best Buy! After considering the fruit source, it was not a surprise to see this nicely aged Merlot showing so well. Kitsap Peninsula producers Gary Sleeger and Frank Reale reached into Gary Grove Vineyard near Prosser, Wash., and the longtime researcher's grapes have factored into decorated wines by Walla Walla Vintners and Northwest Cellars. This hale and hearty Merlot spend … [Read more...] about Carl’s Pond Winery 2013 Merlot, Yakima Valley, $15