One of the Willamette Valley’s early adopters of Biodynamic farming has entered its fifth decade of winemaking near Forest Grove, Ore., this is Montinore Estate’s third vintage of First Sight Pinot Noir, sourced from picturesque Tidalstar Vineyard, a Tualatin Hills site in the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area. Their effort here from the 2019 vintage presents Pinot … [Read more...] about Montinore Estate 2019 First Sight Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $60
Pinot Noir
Iris Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $25
Oregon State University grad Aaron Lieberman scored Platinums with two bottlings of Pinot Noir from the 2021 vintage, the reserve tier under the Areté label and this flagship release for Iris Vineyards. It’s a blend of four distinct growing regions and includes the Chalice Estate (36%) and underrated Methven (27%) in the Eola-Amity Hills. The nose includes Rainier cherry, … [Read more...] about Iris Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $25
Bayernmoor Cellars 2021 Bayernmoor Vineyard Clone 777 Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $50
A year ago, Texas native Larry Harris used a Cab from Red Mountain and a Chardonnay from the Columbia Gorge to earn his first two career Platinums. In 2023, six of his nine Platinums were for work with Pinot Noir, and this four-barrel estate effort with Dijon clone 777 is a stellar effort that captures the clone’s aromatic and attractive qualities. Silky sensations of black … [Read more...] about Bayernmoor Cellars 2021 Bayernmoor Vineyard Clone 777 Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $50
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2019 Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley $40
Directly across the Columbia River from this scenic Hood River, Ore., winery’s tasting room and patio is Underwood Mountain, the setting for Dampier Vineyard and the source of multiple Platinum medals for Robb and John Bell’s Pinot Noir program. Those rows at 1,100 feet of elevation in the Columbia Gorge contribute fruit to this melange that includes the Bell family estate and … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2019 Pinot Noir, Columbia Valley $40
Valentine’s Pairings Wine Dinner
Please join us in celebrating love and wine at a special Valentine’s Pairings Dinner at the Estate in the Salem Hills on Wednesday, February 14th, or Thursday, February 15th at 6:30 pm. Your reservation includes chocolate truffles and a rose at your table. The evening’s four-course dinner features seasonal seafood and wine pairings like our newly released 2020 … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Pairings Wine Dinner