Oregon

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Willamette Valley Vineyards / Willamette Valley One of Oregon’s better Pinot Noir values year after year is this basic bottling from Willamette Valley Vineyards. The 2006 is quite spicy with peppery highlights, and the red fruits are sleek and tart, though not green or thin. The core […]

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Gris Oregon Winery: O’Reilly’s / Oregon O’Reilly’s is the budget label for Owen Roe, featuring an attentive wolfhound on the label. Crisp and bracing, this is loaded with textured pear and apple fruit, flavors of barrel fermentation and wonderful pearskin highlights.

Country: US / Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Torii Mor / Oregon The black label Torii Mor Pinot is the entry-level wine, clean and fresh with clear varietal character. The fruit flavors are tart and lean, but combined with the bouquet offer elegant details with herb and earthy components. The alcohol is a sensible 13.8% […]

Country: US / Récolte Grand Cru Variety: Chardonnay Oregon Winery: Domaine Serene / Dundee Hills Multiple vineyards contribute to this standout blend. It feels open and accessible, yet carries the structure to age gracefully. You’ll find interesting threads of freshly picked herb, lemon oil, pimiento and olive supporting citrus and fresh apple fruit.

Country: US / Reserve Variety: Chardonnay Oregon Winery: Ponzi / Willamette Valley This stellar reserve remains one of the finest Chardonnays from Oregon. Meyer lemon, peanut oil, salted nuts, citrus and tangerine combine in a deep and intense palate. Whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented (but in just 10% new French oak), this delicious, dense and […]

Country: US / Medici Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Patricia Green Cellars / Chehalem Mountains Fruit from the oldest blocks in this pioneering vineyard is sourced here. It’s bright, spicy and focused, with forward citrus-scented Bing cherry flavors. The concentration and length are outstanding, with just the lightest suggestion of green herbs rounding out […]

Country: US / Domaine Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: King Estate / Willamette Valley Domaine is the winery’s top Pinot Noir: all-estate grown, from grapes now certified biodynamic. It’s an accessible, pretty wine, with rich flavors of pastry fillings—think raspberry scones. It’s got a tart, tangy grip and the length and structure to age at […]

Country: US / Abetina Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Ponzi / Willamette Valley Focused and dense, this intense wine captures the essence of ripe raspberries. Aged in 50% new French oak, it’s got a strong vein of coffee and mocha. The flavors broaden out and penetrate, finishing with highlights of cedar, cinnamon and dark chocolate. […]

Country: US / La Colina Vineyard Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Torii Mor / Dundee Hills This has a hard shell keeping it closed down, despite hours of airing. Cranberry fruit with a hint of mineral seems to quickly hit a wall and stop short. More bottle age may help to open it up a […]

Country: US / Elton Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Willamette Valley Vineyards / Eola-Amity Hills Like its stablemates, the Elton bottling has dropped more than a point of alcohol in 2010, and the winery’s lineup overall tilts toward the thin and herbal. Here the cranberry fruit shows little charm. There’s a spine of iron and […]

Country: US / Ribbon Ridge Variety: Pinot Noir Oregon Winery: Omero / Ribbon Ridge This cuvée gets some extra time in 40% new wood, and is bottled unfiltered. Plush blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors, accented with streaks of cola and chocolate, capture your attention. It’s a rich tasty forward immediately enjoyable bottle, so go […]

Country: US / Seven Hills Vineyard Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon Oregon Winery: Marshall Davis / Walla Walla Valley (OR) Blackberry, anise and spice aromas are followed by rich full-fruit flavors. It’s made in a hedonistic style that doesn’t hold back.