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King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Domaine 2014

King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Domaine 2014

I had the chance to sample some of the 2014 vintage from barrel with King Estate’s former Burgundian 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 […]

Evening Land Seven Springs ‘Anden’ Pinot Noir 2014

Evening Land Vineyards Seven Springs 'Anden' Pinot Noir 2014

A knee-weakening Pinot Noir, Evening Land’s Seven Springs ‘Anden’ comes from fruit harvested in a single pass through a phylloxerated section of historic Seven Springs vineyard. The 2014 is whole cluster fermented and aged in 100% New oak—it would seem that there’s a method to winemaker Sashi Moorman’s madness in the rather unusual approach to […]

Rdv Vineyards Rendezvous 2011

Rdv Vineyards Rendezvous 2011

My first Virginia wine, this particular bottle was a gift from a dear friend. First impression—it’s developed nicely, with brooding black cherries and plums lending weight to lighter aromas of cedar, earth, spice and pink peppercorn. The 2011 Rendezvous is a polished blend of 69% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot and certainly, it […]

Brooks Duex Vert Vineyard Melon de Bourgogne 2015

Brooks Duex Vert Vineyard Melon de Bourgogne 2015

Brooks Melon de Bourgogne Duex Vert Vineyard 2015″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>Pleasantly surprised by Brooks’ 2015 Melon de Bourgogne, with it’s filigreed nose of ripe pear, honeysuckle and chalkboard dust. It’s not as lean and leesy as some of my favorite examples from Muscadet Sèvre et Maine (Melon de Bourgogne is the variety used in Muscadet). […]

Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

Bluebird Hills Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015

Bluebird Hill Cellars is an ultra-boutique winery owned by my dear friends Sue and Neil Shay. I’ve watched them plant vines over the years expanding the blocks that surround their sprawling hilltop home, and more recently they’ve transformed their garage into a small tasting room. The 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot is bright ruby red, displaying […]

King Estate NxNW (North by Northwest) Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2013

King Estate NxNW (North by Northwest) Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2013

From King Estate’s North by Northwest project in Walla Walla is this 2013 Syrah. Ripe and heavy with black cherries, plums, cedar and incense. Juicy black fruit leads the charge on the palate, cradled in moderate toast and lovely earthy-leathery undertones. There’s a nice streak of acidity to add lift to a wine that has […]

J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV

J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV

I had the chance to visit J Vineyards in 2015, and was impressed (no pun intended) by the large Coquard press flanking the processing bay of the winery. The Coquard press is traditionally used by Champagne houses, and is extremely gentle. J’s Brut Rosé NV is as I remember it, fresh and vivacious, brimming with […]

Leah Jørgensen Cellars Cabernet Franc 2015

Leah Jørgensen Cellars Cabernet Franc 2015

Quite possibly the best example of Oregon Cabernet Franc I’ve ever tasted. Ruby robed with violet reflexes, Leah Jørgensen’s Cabernet Franc captivates the senses with aromas of mulberries, marionberries, incense, and anise. In the mouth it’s velvety and supple with cashmere-like tannins lending support to a red-fruited core. White pepper and hibiscus tea at the […]

Coyote Canyon Vineyard H/H Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Big John 2010

Coyote Canyon Vineyard H/H Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Big John 2010

Coyote Canyon’s H/H Estate ‘Big John Cab’ Reserve 2010 is garnet-hued at this stage in its life, sporting notes of black cherry, crème de cassis, subtle spice, and dried mint. Satiny smooth on entry with polished tannins and moderate concentration. Black and red fruit nestled at the center, along with a touch of vanilla. Drink […]

Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 Red NV

Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 Red

Ron Rubin Winery’s Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 is bright ruby in the glass with violet reflexes, and offers primary fruit on the nose. Mostly raspberry, red cherry, anise, and vanilla with touch of spice. It’s a medium-bodied [undisclosed] blend, with soft, ripe tannins—toast, if any, is scarcely discernible as texture. Moderate […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com