Winemaker/co-owner Rob Wohr is a recent product of The Institute of Enology and Viticulture — Class of '21 — so this work is symbolic of his first commercial vintage as a Walla Walla Community College grad. Cool-climate varieties will be the focus of the brand launched by Wohr and fellow Rutgers alum John Kruger, and this work with Breezy Slope Vineyard is an impressive debut. … [Read more...] about Explohr Wine Co. 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Walla Walla Valley, $25
Pinot Noir
Knudsen Vineyards 2019 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $55
The Knudsen family and their winemaker, Nate Klostermann of Argyle fame, take equal parts from seven blocks across their historic planting for this bright and juicy blend under their Family Series tier. Two of the blocks feature Pommard clonal fruit, two more bring in Dijon 667, and the others are 115, 777 and "suitcase" clone 828. It exudes finesse from opening whiff of rose … [Read more...] about Knudsen Vineyards 2019 Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, $55
Siduri Wines 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $35
This West Coast brand inspired by the wines of Burgundy and named for Babylon's wine goddess is closing in on 30 years since its founding by Adam Lee and then-wife Dianna Novy. Their 2015 sale of Siduri to Jackson Family Wines went down two years after JFW's initial acquisitions in Oregon — a string of respected vineyards that included Gran Moraine and Maple Grove. Both … [Read more...] about Siduri Wines 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $35
Vino Vasai Wines / The Potter’s Vineyard 2018 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $58
The 2022 Oregon Winery to Watch in the eyes of Great Northwest Wine received a double gold at this year's Cascadia International for the 2018 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir crafted along a plateau above the town of Newberg by winemaker/pottery artist Bill Sanchez, and this bottling marks his seventh vintage of working with the site planted by Laura Volkman in 2001 and originally … [Read more...] about Vino Vasai Wines / The Potter’s Vineyard 2018 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, $58
Lenné Estate 2019 Eleanor’s 114 Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $60
At the behest of industry leaders such as David Adelsheim, Oregon State University brought over several clones from Burgundy in the late 1980s, and 114 was among those that were shipped from France with a return address of "Dijon." Few producers in the North Willamette Valley have embraced and excelled with 114 as Steve Lutz has at Lenné Estate near Carlton. This work, named … [Read more...] about Lenné Estate 2019 Eleanor’s 114 Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $60