History Upland Vineyard Muscat 2014
A rarity from Washington State’s Upland Vineyard on Snipes Mountain, these plantings of Muscat Hamburg date back to 1935, and, had I have tasted this blind, I would have pegged it as an Old World wine, given its restraint and lissome form. The color of onion skin and imbued with ephemeral, fleeting tones of stargazer […]
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 […]
Exitus Red 2016
A blend of Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Merlot, the 2016 Exitus is aged for three months in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. It opens with unapologetic, strapping aromas of dark cherries, plums, dark chocolate shavings, mocha, allspice, and, of course, toast. In the mouth, plush round fruit, with just a touch of discernible […]
History Cabernet Sauvignon Otis Vineyard 2014
Stoller’s latest project, a series of wines named History aims to showcase some of the oldest plantings in Oregon and Washington State. The 1957 History Cabernet is sourced from Yakima Valley’s Otis Vineyard, the oldest panting of the variety in the state. It’s an elegant, pure expression of Cabernet opening with plum and black currant […]
Cooper Mountain Life Pinot Noir 2017
Cooper Mountain Winery’s Life Pinot Noir is a brilliant quinacridone violet, with a watery rim. It’s fresh and primary, emitting a powerful elixir of wild forest berries, huckleberries, and plums. Dusty earth, mocha, and underbrush follow, with a top note of crushed lavender and violet pastille. Wonderful palate tension and energy on the palate, as […]
Pacifica Evan’s Collection Riesling Washington 2017
Pacifica is interestingly owned by Herzog Wine Cellars—and the wines from this line, as with wines from the Herzog lines, are Kosher. Profile-wise, it’s a classic Washington State Riesling with fruit-forward aromas of pear and crisp green apple, lime zest and lemon drop. On the palate, it’s round and subtlety sweet, with acid that finishes […]
Ancient Peaks Chardonnay 2016
From Ancient Peaks estate, Margarita Vineyard lies within the coastal Santa Lucia Mountains. It’s the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles AVA, receiving more marine influence than most, and is host to a band of calcium-rich ancient soils including the rocky alluvium in which this Chardonnay is grown. It’s crisp and aromatic, opening with pear and […]
Ancient Peaks ‘Pearl’ Chardonnay 2016
Located a mere fourteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, Ancient Peak’s 2016 Pearl Chardonnay is sourced from block 26, one of Margarita Vineyard’s cooler microclimates. It’s an expressive wine, with d’Anjou pear and white peach resting beneath lighter notes of pastry cream, lemon curd, and baking spice. In the mouth, it’s all freshness and elegance—a […]
Ancient Peaks Rosé 2017
Limpid salmon in the glass—tasted blind, I would have thought this an Old World rosé—the expression is both elegant and poised with pie cherries, melon, orange zest, and line-dried linen rounding out the nose. In the mouth, a lean and tensile acid spine gives it lightness and a degree of weightlessness. The finish reveals pink […]
Herzog Lineage Rosé Clarksburg 2017
The 2017 Herzog Lineage Rosé 2017 offers up a bouquet of pie cherries and pomegranate followed by thyme, dried mint, rose petals, and warm spice. In the mouth, its medium bodied, with a touch of watermelon Jolly Rancher, Snapple iced tea and a trailing wisp of dried herbs and chalk on the finish. Sample Herzog […]