Idaho-born Shane Moore graduated form Washington State University’s wine program in 2008 and worked around the world before love led him to Northern California, where he landed at Jackson Family Wines' renowned La Crema Pinot Noir project. The Sonoma giant’s impressive investments in Oregon’s Willamette Valley began with its 2013 purchase of Zena Crown Vineyard west of Salem, … [Read more...] about Zena Crown Vineyard 2013 Slope Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, $100
Latest wine reviews
Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2013 Northridge Vineyard Reserve Grenache, Wahluke Slope, $35
This late-ripening red grape native to the Rhône Valley has no trouble finishing up on the Wahluke Slope, one of the hottest growing regions in Washington wine country. Jeremy Santo, a native of Prosser and product of Washington State University, pulled the trigger Oct. 28 on this lot from Milbrandt-owned Northridge Vineyard. Ripeness achieved 26.5 Brix, and after seven days in … [Read more...] about Ryan Patrick Vineyards 2013 Northridge Vineyard Reserve Grenache, Wahluke Slope, $35
Columbia Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $14
Best Buy! Stainless steel fermentation with a bit of oak and eight months on the lees results in this fruity, butterscotchy and refreshing Chardonnay from historic Columbia Winery. Aromas also include Bosc pear, Jonagold apple and a hint of sweetened lemon, which come through on the dry and crisp palate. Touches of melon, hazelnut and pineapple add complexity. The Woodinville … [Read more...] about Columbia Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $14
Ross Andrew Winery 2015 Celilo Vineyard Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge, $21
One of the Pacific Northwest’s top sites for crisp whites is Celilo Vineyard, a prized high-elevation site in Columbia Gorge near the town of Underwood, Wash. Most of this lot came from a Pinot Gris block planted in 1975, harvested at 22 Brix on Oct. 6 at nearly 1,400 feet elevation. Ross Andrew Mickel’s winemaking allows for a fascinating theme of both tropical and citrus … [Read more...] about Ross Andrew Winery 2015 Celilo Vineyard Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge, $21
La Crema Winery 2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30
Jackson Family Wines invested in the Willamette Valley to create cool-climate Pinot Noir, and here’s another delicious example from a warm vintage in the Pacific Northwest. Elizabeth Grant-Douglas collaborated with eight vineyards, primarily in the Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills growing regions for this deliciously balanced, fruit-forward Pinot Noir. Her reliance on only … [Read more...] about La Crema Winery 2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $30