Alloro Vineyard Justina Pinot Noir 2016
Deftly balanced, the 2016 Alloro Justina Pinot Noir slowly unfurls to reveal refined, layered aromas of black cherry, ripe black raspberry, and a carpet of thyme flowers. An estate blend of 777, 667, 114, 115, Wadenswil, and Pommard—the tannins are fine and polished, bright acidity peaks and crescendoes, fanning out across the palate, leaving in […]
Le Cadeau Vineyard Diversité Pinot Noir 2016
Le Cadeau’s 2016 Diversité Pinot Noir is comprised of nine clones including Mariafeld—a thick-skinned Swiss clone that is open clustered and more resistant to Botrytis. As it opens, aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, and pie cherry are followed by a lilting top note of anise seed and crushed lavender. Round, elegant, and softly textured with well-integrated […]
Cooper Mountain Mountain Terroir Johnson School Pinot Noir 2016
Another flat-out gorgeous biodynamic wine from Cooper Mountain Vineyards, the 2016 Mountain Terroir Johnston School Pinot Noir is made from fruit grown in Laurelwood basalt soil in eastern foothills of the Chehalem Mountain AVA. Bright primary ruby in the glass, the tears hold pigment. The nose is fresh and vibrant with assertive aromas of root […]
Rain Dance Vineyards Lee’s Vineyard Estate Chardonnay 2016
Full and expansive on the nose with orchard fruit hovering beneath striated layers of toasted coconut, lemon curd, orange zest, and toast. It’s the perfect compromise between more linear, unoaked chardonnays and full-on warm climate well-oaked expressions of the variety. There is ample concentration on the palate, and lovely round wood-driven character—but it veers well […]
Rain Dance Vineyards Grand Oak Vineyard Estate Rosé 2017
Glinting rose gold in the glass, the 2017 Rain Dance Grand Oak Vineyard Estate Rosé is replete with aromas of melon, white peach, Queen Anne’s cherries, and a fleeting whiff of chalkboard dust. Bright and elegant in the mouth, texture at the back palate suggests minimal skin contact. Pink pomelo adds mouthwatering lift and complexity […]
Rain Dance Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2016
A well of plush red fruit set against a frame of silky tannins and moderate acidity, Rain Dance’s Estate Pinot Noir 2016 has much to offer, mainly, pleasure. Black cherry, macerated strawberries, Madagascar vanilla bean, cola, and warm spices round out the nose. This blend of 44% Dijon Clone 667, 14% Pommard, 14% Wädenswil, 14% […]
Rain Dance Vineyards Grand Oak Vineyard Estate Riesling 2017
Crafted from Reisling sourced from Rain Dance’s estate vineyards—Grand Oak Vineyard lies within Willamette Valley’s Chehalem Mountains sub-appellation and the vines are seated in Jory and Laurelwood-type soils. Aromas of yellow apple, lemon drop, and ripe pear anoint the nose, on the palate, it’s softly-textured thanks to sur lie aging in French oak—perfectly dry and […]
Bergström Silice Pinot Noir 2015
Named after the silica-rich sand and marine sedimentary soils that dominate Bergström’s picturesque Silice Vineyard the 2015 gracefully unspools in one long continuous ribbon, aromas of dark cherry and black raspberry form a dusky base that is knit together with crumbling limestone, kukicha twig tea and warm spice. Marine sedimentary soil reemerges on the finish, […]
Beaux Frères The Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
From Beaux Frères original estate vineyard, planted by Mike and Jackie Etzel from 1987 through 1991, and primarily to Pommard & Wädenswil clones, all on their own roots. The 2015 vintage is a portrait of weightlessness and concentration—an expression Oregon Pinot Noir can achieve in a good vintage, and under the watchful eye of a […]
Rain Dance Vineyards Nicholas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016
From the Chehalem Mountains sub-appellation, Rain Dance’s Nicholas Vineyard sits at an elevation of 544 feet and consists of silty clay loam Jory and Laurelwood type soils—the expression is more black fruit than red. A spicy mélange of black cherry and black raspberry hovering between vanilla and more compact forest floor notes. Smooth and silken […]