Dundee, Ore., winemaker Joe Dobbes can be viewed as the state’s pioneer with Viognier. It's a love affair inspired by a 1989 dining experience in Lyon, and it blossomed a few years later with Southern Oregon growers Don and Traute Moore on behalf of Willamette Valley Vineyards’ Griffin Creek brand. This complex Viognier from the Moore family’s Sundown Vineyard near Talent shows … [Read more...] about Dobbes Family Estate 2015 Sundown Vineyard Viognier, Rogue Valley, $26
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Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Vineyard Series Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope, $28
A product of Joshua Maloney’s second vintage at Milbrandt Vineyards, the primary source for this Tempranillo is Wahluke Slope Vineyard, a 150-acre site once owned by the Mielke family at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars in Spokane. The addition of Syrah (8%) and Grenache (1%) makes it an Iberian Peninsula-style blend, and the small amount of new French oak leads to aromas of plum, red … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Vineyard Series Tempranillo, Wahluke Slope, $28
The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 River Rock Vineyard Telegram Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $35
River Rock Vineyard in The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, the fascinating sub-AVA of the Walla Walla Valley, played a supporting role in the E7 First and Mercer Grenache. Here, it’s a 1-acre, 3-ton soliloquy for Dana Dibble’s vineyard, established in 2001 using Tablas Creek clone. Winemaker/owner Joshua West harvested this lot on Oct. 4, and he pulled from his experience … [Read more...] about The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 River Rock Vineyard Telegram Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $35
Silvan Ridge Winery 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $16
Argentine winemaker Juan Pablo Valot creates the Pinot Gris for this historic Eugene property in a crisp Oregon style that’s far from tropical. In fact, it’s a bone-dry Pinot Gris for Sauvignon Blanc lovers with the focus on gooseberry, lime and lemon with minerality and scintillating acidity that screams for oysters on the half shell. Rating: Excellent Production: 1,200 … [Read more...] about Silvan Ridge Winery 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $16
L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $21
There’s a common baseline to a growing number of remarkable aromatic white wines from Washington state, and that’s the Milbrandts’ Evergreen Vineyard in the dramatic Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area near the Gorge Amphitheater. Evergreen makes up most of this blend with Yakima Valley sites Schmitt and Oasis. There’s a touch of oak involved and the six … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2015 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $21