A year ago, Stephen Reustle won a trio of Platinums Awards for Grüner Veltliner, as both the 2021 Green Lizard and the 2021 Hefeabzug earned Double Platinums and received 97 and 96 points, respectively, followed by the 2020 Hefeabzug. Acclaim and gold medals for his interpretations of the Austrian grape he grows in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley are consistently achieved across the … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards tops Platinum Awards with 99-point Grüner Veltliner
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Foris Vineyards Winery 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley, $17
Best Buy! Stephanie Pao made the decision to harvest on Oct. 9 the Dijon clone grapes off the Gerber family's Maple Ranch Vineyard, which Foris views as the best-performing vineyard of their three plantings near Cave Junction, Ore. Gerber named this site in tribute to his mother and stepfather — Bob and Marge Maple, and he's devoted 32 of its 46 acres to 12 clones of Pinot … [Read more...] about Foris Vineyards Winery 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley, $17
Reustle Prayer-Rock Vineyards 2020 Estate Selection Hefeabzug Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley $28
Founding winegrower Stephen Reustle entered two vintages of his lees-aged Grüner, and while this is a year older, it came in as one of the most decorated wines of the 2022 Platinum. It’s remarkably lively while the midpalate brings the flavors of cantaloupe and lemon curd from the surlie approach, and there’s still the underlying classic note of white pepper and minerality. … [Read more...] about Reustle Prayer-Rock Vineyards 2020 Estate Selection Hefeabzug Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley $28
Belle Fiore Winery 2019 Montepulciano, Rogue Valley $37
In Italy, Montepulciano ranks No. 2 in terms of production, behind only Sangiovese. While they aren’t the same, there are some similarities, particularly in its bright fruit notes of Montmorency cherry, boysenberry and plum and ability to age. Rob Folin captures that for Belle Fiore owner Edward Kerwin, adding spice box notes, light herbs and orange oil. There’s really nice … [Read more...] about Belle Fiore Winery 2019 Montepulciano, Rogue Valley $37
Reustle Prayer-Rock Vineyards 2021 Estate Selection Green Lizard Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley $36
In each of the past five vintages, the guru of Grüner in the United States has earned a Platinum for his Green Lizard program. Stephen Reustle names it for the mascot of Austria’s famed Wachau Valley, and he crafts this in a style that references the lots of Grüner Veltliner grapes that were the ripest at harvest. As a result, this tier is arguably the most approachable and … [Read more...] about Reustle Prayer-Rock Vineyards 2021 Estate Selection Green Lizard Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley $36