Best Buy! A cool and late harvest meant picking close to November, but that promoted about 15 percent botrytis in their Cave Junction vineyard that winemaker Bryan Wilson embraces. Floral aromas gather up whiffs of lavender and clove with fresh-out-of-the-oven apple pie. It's apple and peach on the rich palate, and the slight sweetness on the midpalate from 1.1% residual sugar … [Read more...] about Foris Vineyards Winery 2011 Riesling, Rogue Valley, $14
Latest wine reviews
L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25
The continued use of Grenache (20%) brings a refreshing amount of acidity not often found in Washington-built Syrah. This opens with hints of black cherry, Ovaltine, smoked meat, allspice and cracked pepper. On the attack, there's a theme of bold dark cherries with blueberry and pomegranate acidity to mix it up with sturdy tannins. Rating: Recommended Production: 2,430 … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2010 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25
Grande Ronde Cellars 2007 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $30
Dave Westfall and his two partners recently moved the production facility to downtown Spokane, not far from their lively tasting room. They work with very small lots and their attention to detail and patience shows. Here's a classic Cab from start to finish, leading with aromas of dark cherry, milk chocolate, vanilla, cedar, black pepper and graphite. Elegance is immediately … [Read more...] about Grande Ronde Cellars 2007 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, $30
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $14
Best Buy! Last year, Don Crank marked his 10th anniversary of working for Jim Bernau at the Turner, Ore., winery, and this semi-sweet version ranks with the largest bottlings of this noble white in the state. Aromas are reminsicent of ripe Barlett pear, peach and apple pie spice. There's a delicious blend of ambrosia salad and agave nectar on the rich palate. The residual sugar … [Read more...] about Willamette Valley Vineyards 2012 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $14
Anam Cara Cellars 2012 Nicholas Estate Gewürztraminer, Chehalem Mountains, $24
The 2014 edition of Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book raves about the Pinot Noir and dry Riesling coming off Anam Cara's estate vineyard, and the renowned British writer could also mention the dessert-style Gewürz on offer at this Newberg, Ore., tasting room, too. Its nose is filled with apricot jam, poached pear, clove and honey. The same can be used to describe the fluid, where … [Read more...] about Anam Cara Cellars 2012 Nicholas Estate Gewürztraminer, Chehalem Mountains, $24