Best Buy! Former restaurateur Joe Williams moved production for his D'Anu brand from Carlton, Ore., to Portland’s new Urban Crush facility last summer, and this Pinot Gris from Harlow Hills Vineyard in Gaston is one of the first releases out of the Ladd’s Addition winery. Aromas of starfruit, lemon, orange, minerality and sandalwood are presented with an off-dry approach. Tasty … [Read more...] about D’Anu Wines 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $14
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Coyote Canyon Winery 2013 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Viognier, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Best Buy! Justin Michaud’s first harvest for Coyote Canyon produced this delicious example of the white Rhône variety often soft on acidity, but not here. It offers charming aromas of orange cream soda, dusty white peach, apple blossom, fresh-cut lemon and a slice of artichoke heart. Mandarin orange and its pith lead the entry to the palate, followed by an enjoyable creamy … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2013 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Viognier, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2014 Estate Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $30
This reserve style of Chardonnay made with Dijon clones 76 and 96 from a trio of estate vineyards - Elton, Tualatin Estate and Jim Bernau’s 30-year-old site in Turner, Ore. - spent 10 months fermenting in French barrels. Nearly a third of those casks were new, leading to buttery and butterscotch aromas with banana, pear butter and bees wax. The palate shows a deft hand with … [Read more...] about Willamette Valley Vineyards 2014 Estate Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, $30
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2014 Renaissance Red, Lewis-Clark Valley, $23
The Umikers helped spark the renaissance of the historic Lewis-Clark Valley wine industry when they launched Clearwater Canyon Cellars with this proprietary blend in 2004. The first 100 cases of the 2014 vintage were labeled with the Washington/Idaho appellation. However, the blend is made from Umiker Vineyard in Lewiston, Idaho, and Rock n’ J Vineyard near Asotin, Wash., so on … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2014 Renaissance Red, Lewis-Clark Valley, $23
L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $28
Looking back, Marty Clubb views the quality of the 2013 vintage alongside those of 1998 and 2003, and the acclaimed Walla Walla winemaker sourced from many of Washington state’s top vineyards for this particularly remarkable Merlot. Historic Sagemoor sites Bacchus and Dionysus, StoneTree, Klipsun, Candy Mountain and Pepper Bridge are blended with estate vineyards Ferguson and … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $28