Oregon

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: J. Scott Cellars / Oregon This Pinot saw one-quarter new oak, which contributed an undertone of burnt toast. The spicy berry fruit is accented by a cola note, and the wine has a friendly, mouth-filling roundness. This is perfect for near term drinking.

Country: US / Olenik Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: J. Christopher / Chehalem Mountains This single-vineyard selection shines, with nuanced layers of granite, lead pencil, pepper and espresso around a core of dense black cherry and cassis. The power and concentration mark it as special. Still compact and lightly earthy, it’s blessed with perfectly […]

Country: US / Antiquum Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Trathen Hall / Willamette Valley From a blending of two barrels—one new and one neutral—this is a snappy, sappy, tangy wine with ripe, forward red and purple fruits. These notes are framed with pretty barrel toast, and the tannins are firm, ripe and balanced. Drink […]

Country: US / Olson Estate Vineyard Old Vine Reserve Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Torii Mor / Dundee Hills Just two barrels were made, from the vineyard’s 1972-era planting. This all-Pommard clone selection delivers extra nuances of leaf and bramble to a wine of medium density. The strawberry/cherry preserve fruit flavors are concentrated and rich, […]

Country: US / Variety: Riesling Oregon Winery: Penner-Ash / Willamette Valley Outstanding, with a honeyed note that suggests a hint of botrytis. A lovely blending of complex fruits, perfectly set against the acids and residual sugar just over one percent. This resonates beautifully.

Country: US / Mirabelle Clone 115 Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Vidon Vineyard / Chehalem Mountains Mirabelle is the darkest, chewiest, most tannic of the three clonal selection Pinots offered by Vidon. It’s a Pinot in Cab clothing. Chewy, dense, ripe fruit keeps it all in proportion, a thick black cherry core with rings of […]

Country: US / Barrel Select Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Spindrift Cellars / Willamette Valley This medium-bodied wine is already drinking optimally, with a core of red fruit streaked with cola, earth, graphite and citrus notes. Only four barrels were produced.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Gris Oregon Winery: Duck Pond / Willamette Valley Light tawny in color, this palate-pleasing effort boasts stone fruit, orange blossom and fresh herb flavors. It’s elegant and food-friendly in style, with the sort of detail that usually comes with a higher price tag.

Country: US / Abondante Variety: Red Blend Oregon Winery: Sineann / Columbia Valley (OR) A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and—surprise!—Zinfandel, this brings a swirl of red fruits into play, and wraps them in a skin of bark and slightly bitter earth. Peppery tannins and more forest floor flavors kick in at the finish.

Country: US / Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Oregon Winery: Lujon / Walla Walla Valley (OR) A fine value, the 2009 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet is sourced from Spofford Station and Lefore vineyards. Bright and spicy, it spent 28 months in almost-neutral French oak. Cranberry and currant fruit is forward and precise, with the balance to age […]

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Gris Oregon Winery: La Chouette / Willamette Valley This small-production, estate-grown wine needs more time in bottle to lose some of the beery yeastiness it currently shows. Along with those strong flavors are lighter threads of yellow apple and grapefruit rind.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Keeler / Eola-Amity Hills Herbal and tart, this has light red fruits and subtle suggestions of chocolate, hazelnut and almond paste. It was aged in half-neutral, half-new French oak.