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Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

The profile of the 2012 Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is consistent with the profile of the 2013 I reviewed last spring—how did I manage to get the vintages out of order? No matter, these are wines with great aging potential, they can be squirreled away for a decade or more. Black currants, […]

Brooks Runaway Red Pinot Noir 2013

Brooks Runaway Red Pinot Noir 2013

According to winemaker, Chris Williams, Runaway Red is the first Pinot Noir the winery blends each season. This is also Brooks’ entry level label, priced at $23.00, it’s soft and accessible with an entirely red-fruited profile. Rhubarb, strawberries, pie cherries and a delicate floral note lead into a wine that is acid driven and lightly […]

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014

Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014

A nice value Chardonnay from the River Valley Russian, Frei Brothers 2014 Reserve is medium lemon yellow in the glass with a leaning towards tropical-papaya, ripe pear, buttered scone and baked apple tartin. The attack is round and full with moderate toast squarely at the mid-palate. A short shorts that adorned with toast and pencil […]

Puffin Oregon Pinot Gris 2015

Puffin Oregon Pinot Gris 2015

A wine from one of many stops while on an Oregon-Washington themed wine cruise. I was pleasantly surprised by the 2015 Puffin Oregon Pinot Gris made by Ray Walsh, former winemaker at King Estate. King Estate’s jewel is their Pinot Gris, and this unlikely label sold in an equally unlikely place—proprietor Steven Sinkler sells Puffin from his […]

Terra Blanca Red Mountain Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Terra Blanca Red Mountain Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

So glad to have finally visited Terra Blanca, aside from visit-worthy grounds, the wines themselves live up to the praise they’ve garnered. The 2012 Red Mountain Cabernet explodes with black cherries, cassis, sandalwood, Chinese five spice, incense and lavender. A structural backbone encased in firm tannins is at the forefront of the attack, but after […]

Domaine J. Meuret Clos Pierre Chardonnay 2013

Domaine J. Meuret Clos Pierre Chardonnay 2013

Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>Limpid sunlight in a glass, Domaine J. Meuret is from Washington’s highly regarded Maison Bleue, the Meuret label are single vineyard wines, meant to show off terroir. In this case this outstanding Chardonnay is from Clos Pierre vineyard in White Salmon, a […]

Domaine Serene Jerusalem Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Domaine Serene Jerusalem Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Jerusalem Hill Vineyard lies a protected, south-facing slope, and I’m told it’s one of the more moderate sites in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, lending more intense color and concentration—and that seems to be very accurate to the wine itself, which manages both poise and power. Sous bois, white pepper and dried sage along with fine, […]

Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>I was delighted to find Maison Bleue’s tasting room in downtown Walla Walla on my last visit, and even more surprised to taste the Domaine J. Meuret Les Chênes Pinot Noir 2013, the inaugural vintage of this label, all of which are […]

Murrieta’s Well The Spur 2013

Murrieta's Well The Spur 2013

vAnother label from Wente, Murrieta’s Well Winery The Spur 2013 is an estate-grown blend of 40% Petite Sirah, 26% Cabernet, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec. Sporting an opaque purple-hued dress, the aromatics are soft and expansive, with layers of plums, ripe boysenberries, black cherries, spice and cedar leading into […]

Murrieta’s Well The Whip 2014

Murrieta's Well The Whip 2014

From Wente, Murrieta’s Well Winery The Whip 2014 is an estate-grown blend of 29% Semillon and 27% Chardonnay, with the balance comprised of Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Muscat Canelli and Viognier. It offers up a lush bouquet of golden apple, dried pineapple, mango, lemon drop, lemon blossom, and vanilla. There’s as much range [of fruit] […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com