Best Buy! The Elk Cove Vineyards tandem of Heather Perkin and second-generation winemaker Adam Campbell combine on this new sister project, and this Pinot Gris benefits from a broad base of fruit sources throughout the Willamette Valley, including 30-year-old plantings at their Estate Vineyard that rank among the oldest in Oregon. Clean aromas of melon and lychee include talcum … [Read more...] about Pike Road Wines 2015 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $15
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Coyote Canyon Winery 2014 LOL White Wine Fun, Horse Heaven Hills, $13
Best Buy! Prosser vintner Mike Andrews grows 25 grape varieties across his 1,125 acres in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills, and he’s been among the state’s early champions for Albariño. That Spanish white grape forms the base of this blend with Rhône varieties Roussanne and Viognier, all of which were picked Sept. 15. It’s a fruit-forward and engaging wine with floral and … [Read more...] about Coyote Canyon Winery 2014 LOL White Wine Fun, Horse Heaven Hills, $13
Willamette Valley Vineyards 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $24
Two of Willamette Valley Vineyards' most integral sites - Elton and Tualatin Estate - were picked Sept. 18-19 on both sides of 24 Brix, and fermentation began with 48 hours of skin contact. The next stage was three months in neutral French oak. Those phases led to the gorgeous light cherry color and a delightful nose of strawberry freezer jam, pink raspberry, watermelon, cherry … [Read more...] about Willamette Valley Vineyards 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $24
Jones of Washington 2012 Estate Vineyards Barrel Select Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, $25
The Jones family owns and operates nearly a dozen vineyard sites in Washingt’s Columbia Basin, and eight of those are on the Wahluke Slope. Among those is Big River Vineyard, the source for this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Carméneère (22%) and Syrah. A barrel program involving 18 months in new French oak leads to aromas of black currant, blueberry and plum skins with … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2012 Estate Vineyards Barrel Select Red Wine, Wahluke Slope, $25
Daven Lore Winery 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $29
While it is labeled as Syrah, those grapes from Alder Ridge Vineyard and Newhouse Family Vineyards account for 77 percent of the wine. There also are contributions of Mourvèdre (10%), Petit Verdot (5%), Grenache (5%) and Petite Sirah, which create marvelous complexity. They combine for a pleasing profile of dark purple fruit, outside and inside. Dusty and dried blueberry aromas … [Read more...] about Daven Lore Winery 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $29