Frog’s Leap Heritage Blend 2013
This bottle was gifted to me on arrival at Meadowood Resort in Napa, a nice way to kickoff the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium. My first time tasting Frog’s Leap, it’s young and primary. Juicy blackberries, blackcurrants, kirsch, and camphor tumble from the glass. It’s very structured with chalky, grippy tannins neatly encasing a tooth-staining core […]
Abacela Reserve Tempranillo 2009
Tempranillo grown in Southern Oregon, in this case Umpqua Valley, shows great promise, as Abacela has demonstrated time and again through their bottlings of this earthy, Spanish queen. The 2009 Reserve Tempranillo is resplendent in an earthy mantle of dried blood, brick dust, roasted black cherries, and plums. The balance on the palate is spot […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay 2014
A pinnacle Oregon Chardonnay, the 2014 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum hails from a single block at the heart of the Seven Springs vineyard where the soil is thin and a stony basalt outcropping can be seen. The vines, all Dijon clones, were planted in 1984, and are naturally low yielding. Summum is stunningly […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay 2014
Finely wrought and delicate, the 2014 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay shows off beautiful tapicity. If you’re not convinced of Oregon’s Chardonnay Renaissance, than do seek out a bottle from Evening Land. Orchard fruit, mandarin orange, and an ethereal top note that drifts from iodine to acacia flowers to mint. Stylish and […]
Cave Dog Napa Valley 2014
It was only a matter of time before our paths crossed. In truth, I’ve been intensely curious about Michael Havens’ wines for years, but my curiosity has been changed by the Havens Winery in 2008. Now he’s got a new project is delicious. Cave Dog is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, […]
San Simeon Monterey Chardonnay 2014
The frame is not as nimble as I might expect for a Monterey Chardonnay, which is generally a cooler climate AVA. The weight is in fact unctuous, fat, and even slightly oily, much like a light Sauternes—its legs cling to the sides of the glass. Aromatically, the primary expression is one of stone fruit, spice, […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Gamay Noir 2015
Evening Land’s Cru Beaujolais-like Gamay Noir is sourced from the oldest Gamay Noir vines in the country, planted in 1983—though I am told that there is also a younger block in the blend. In keeping with Beaujolais tradition, this is whole cluster carbonic fermentation in concrete, the effect of which is lovely. Pie cherries burst […]
Leah Jørgensen Cellars Oregon Tour Rain 2014
This is the second bottle I’ve tasted from Leah Jorgensen, on finishing my glass, I can honestly say her wines leave me with more questions than answers. The 2014 Tour Rain reminds me of some of my favorite wines from the Bourgueil. With a brilliant dark magenta robe, this Oregon Cab Franc is seductive and […]
King Estate Domaine Pinot Noir 2014
I had the chance to sample some of the 2014 vintage from barrel with King Estate’s former winemaker, Kevin Sommelet. 2014 was a warm year, and the estate’s Domaine label reflects this with an expressive nose abundantly perfumed by fleshy black cherries and plums, followed by deeper, woodsier aromas, worn leather, dried roses and pungent […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Estate Chardonnay 2014
Really lovely, the Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 brings with it sense of refinement. Like a classically tailored blazer, its texture is soft but structured, underpinned by a layer fine tannins and bolstered by lithe and lovely notes of lemon zest and blanched almond, pencil shavings and orchard fruit. Under winemaker Sashi Moorman’s […]