Southern Oregon grower/winemaker Jim Delfino established his reputation with big and spicy Tempranillo, and he excels with this Cabernet Sauvignon project he collaborated on with Denise Aaron. Dark toast and bittersweet chocolate aromas are signs of his program with 25% new French oak, which allows for ripe black cherry, cinnamon, rose petal and crushed cinder notes. There are … [Read more...] about Delfino Vineyards 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Umpqua Valley, $28
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Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Estate Matrix White Wine, Umpqua Valley, $24
Stephen Reustle’s penchant for cool-climate white wines is on display with this Riesling-based blend of lots spent time in either stainless steel or American oak. Fanciful aromas of cotton candy, ripe peach, apple and rosewater lead to more fruity flavors, leading with ripe pear, honeysuckle and rock candy, finished by peach. Suggested pairings include crab with a mango-ginger … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Estate Matrix White Wine, Umpqua Valley, $24
William Church Winery 2015 Sara’s Vintage Viognier, Columbia Valley, $25
William Church in Woodinville reaches across the Cascades and into the Columbia Basin to create this bright and lively Viognier by using fruit fro Gamache and Conner Lee vineyards. There was no wood involved during its four months of fermentation, which explains the clean and tropical aromas with hints of peach and pear, freshly laundered linen and spearmint. That tropical … [Read more...] about William Church Winery 2015 Sara’s Vintage Viognier, Columbia Valley, $25
The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 First and Mercer Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, $30
The Walla Walla Valley focus by this young brand for this Grenache-based wine centers on The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, specifically on young and diminutive Monette’s Vineyard - farmed by Mark and Monette Hoffmeister. There’s also the influence River Rock Vineyard, which contributes Syrah (15%) to the end product. Ripeness wasn’t issue in 2014. That’s evident with the … [Read more...] about The Elephant Seven Wine Co. 2014 First and Mercer Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, $30
Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2015 Caleb Knorr Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $15
Best Buy! Pete and Marcia Buffington name their wines for members of their family, and they’ve enjoyed consistent success with their grandson Caleb's Pinot Gris. This vintage marked their sixth as a bonded winery in the Cascade foothills near Salem, Ore., and these grapes benefit from this cooler climate. Bosc pear, dusty Golden Delicious apple and gooseberry aromas are joined … [Read more...] about Abiqua Wind Vineyard 2015 Caleb Knorr Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $15