Oregon

Country: US / Eileen Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Cristom / Eola-Amity Hills This tart, sleek, pretty wine shows bright strawberry and raspberry fruit. Quite young and fresh, it’s still rather tight and stubbornly closed, even after breathing for a full 24 hours.

Country: US / Signature Collection Variety: Chardonnay Oregon Winery: King Estate / Oregon Simple and fruity, this has a mix of pineapple, citrus and apple, high-toned and slightly bitter. The toasty component from some sort of barrel/oak treatment is not yet integrated into the fruit. This will need decanting or aging in bottle until 2016.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Jovino / Willamette Valley Watermelon and light pomegranate fruit seem dusted in ash. Tannins are moderate but show some grip. It’s a modest, quaffable effort without much varietal distinction.

Country: US / Maresh Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Kelley Fox / Dundee Hills This old-vine (planted 1972) Pinot offers delicate, yet complex details throughout the palate. It’s elegant winemaking at its best—a pinpoint mix of herb, stone, berry and barrel—seamless and precise. Despite (or perhaps because of?) the low alcohol, this has the […]

Country: US / Peach Tree Block Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Sokol Blosser / Dundee Hills This is crisply defined, dotted with cinnamon, and features tart pomegranate, cranberry and strawberry fruit. The sleek tannins frame a long, sturdy finish.

Country: US / Three Bees Variety: Pinot Gris Oregon Winery: King Estate / Oregon This is a block selection from the principal estate vineyard. At first flavors of soda cracker, with a saline edge, fill the palate. Then apple, pear and melon fruit come in, with excellent concentration and refreshing acidity.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Gris Oregon Winery: The Eyrie Vineyards / Dundee Hills Along with a gorgeous blend of ripe fruits—apple, pear, and a bit of tangy pineapple—this wine carries a streak of wet stone into a full-bodied, lingering finish.

Country: US / The Long Run Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Scott Paul / Dundee Hills Previously labeled as Les Gourmandises, this is now The Long Run in honor of Scott Wright’s completing his first full-length marathon in 2011. It’s all Nysa vineyard fruit, graceful and delicate, scented with rose water and satin smooth. Cranberry […]

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Illahe / Willamette Valley Fresh and pretty, this has a bright, refreshing palate that offers flavors of cranberry and raspberry. It’s smooth and fruit forward, with medium aging potential.

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Chardonnay Oregon Winery: Stoller / Dundee Hills This barrel-fermented wine reflects the modest ripeness that marked the 2010 vintage. Scents of almond paste, orange peel, citrus, melon and pear intertwine, and the wine’s flavors carry light suggestions of them all, along with a touch of caramel. It’s drinking well right […]

Country: US / Adalfo’s Block Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Raptor Ridge / Willamette Valley This is a very pretty wine, though not nearly as substantial as the 2009. Fruit flavors of strawberry and light cherry are set over tart acids. The palate softens up a bit and runs through a quick, clean fade.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Winter’s Hill / Willamette Valley This wine’s core has a flavor of hard cherry candy with a coating of milk chocolate. The tannins are firm, and the wine has good midpalate concentration.