Best Buy! The Mercer family and their vast vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills continue to impress in the hands of winemaker Jessica Munnell, and their refresh of the Mercer Canyons brand will only help attract the attention worthy of the latest release of these introductory wines. That they devoted fruit from their prized Spice Cabinet Vineyard near Destiny Ridge to this … [Read more...] about Mercer Canyons 2014 Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $14
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Love and Squalor 2013 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
This vintage marks the 10th anniversary of Matt Berson’s introduction to winemaking, and his flagship wine from this rain-interrupted season illustrates a blend of nearly equal contributions from eight vineyards - led by Dundee Hills sites Winter’s Hill and Vista Hills. The choice of essentially all neutral French oak at his McMinnville winery allows for a Pinot Noir to reveal … [Read more...] about Love and Squalor 2013 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $28
Nicolas-Jay 2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $65
This decade’s Burgundian invasion into Oregon continues as Jean-Nicolas Méo of famed Domaine Méo-Camuzet marks the delectable debut of his heralded Pinot Noir partnership with longtime friend/former MCA Records executive Jay Boberg. It’s the flagship of their young brand, spearheaded by Adelsheim alumna Tracy Kendall, and it incorporates Bishop Creek Vineyard, the organic site … [Read more...] about Nicolas-Jay 2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $65
RMS 2013 Brut, Willamette Valley, $65
Texas A&M product Rollin Michael Soles, the Pacific Northwest pioneer for sparkling wine as founding winemaker at Argyle in 1987, debuts his bubble program as part of the ROCO Winery brand he launched in 2001 with his wife, Corby. It’s not coincidence that this vintage coincides with the establishment of Radiant Sparkling Wine, the mobile production company that became … [Read more...] about RMS 2013 Brut, Willamette Valley, $65
Gordon Estate 2013 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $24
The Gordon family recently launched this standalone program with Malbec, featuring its historic Kamiak Vineyard overlooking the Snake River and Walla Walla County. It’s a small lot, just three barrels, with new Hungarian oak forming a significant part of that program. That use builds a charming nose of sweet cherries, black currant, chocolate-covered pomegranate and black … [Read more...] about Gordon Estate 2013 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $24