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The Eyrie Vineyards Spark NV

Eyrie Vineyards Spark NV

Dark salmon, with an ultra-fine mousse that washes over the palate like the tide coming in, Eyrie’s Spark NV is a poetic blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 37% Chasselas Doré, and 8% Pinot Blanc that’s aged for 12 months on the lees in neutral French oak. It’s bone dry with a core of bright red […]

Cristom Estate Pinot Gris 2018

Cristom Pinot Gris 2018

From vines planted in 1993, Cristom’s 2018 Estate Pinot Gris is limpid sunbeam yellow, with lilting aromas of Asian pear, comice apple, granulated honey, pea tendril, and wet shell. In the mouth, there’s weight and flesh from full-malolactic fermentation combined with six months aging on fine lees—a taught vein of acidity wells up from the […]

Lange Estate Winery River Run Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018

Lange River Run Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018

The 2018 Lange River Run Cuvée was slightly closed when I last reviewed it, I’m pleased to report that it’s showing beautifully now and will only continue to improve in time. Sporting a seductive floral edge, it opens with aromas of pie cherry, raspberry coulis, rose petal, violet, underbrush, and lichen. Tons of finesse on […]

Lange Estate Vineyard North Block Chardonnay 2014

Lange Estate Vineyard North Block Chardonnay 2014

The acid balance and focus is perhaps the loveliest element this Lange Estate single-vineyard bottling. The 2014 North Block Estate Chardonnay is particularly lovely—with beguiling aromas of clementine, quince, pastry cream, and warm spice—on the palate, there’s weight and weightlessness. A nimble mineral-infused spine crests and ebbs, leaving the impression of apricot pit, baking spice, […]

Lange Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2016

Lange Estate Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2016

With nose is awash in raspberry coulis, cardamom, lilac, and forest floor, Lange Estate’s 2016 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir is taut and laser-focused. High-toned red berries flesh out the core—cranberry and alpine strawberry are neatly framed by fine tannins and bright acid spine. Attractive mineral-and-spice-infused finish surges on, adding length and persistence to this wine’s […]

Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

Cristom’s 2017 Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir is sourced from the winery’s steepest estate vineyard. Jessie’s blocks are planted in high-density and range in elevation from 320 ft to 550 ft—it unfurls slowly in the glass to reveal deeply perfumed aromas of red and blackberries, crushed lavender and rose petals, with a savory top note. It’s […]

Lange Lange Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2015

Lange Lange Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015

A riotous, deeply perfumed nose of blackberry crumble, Rainier cherry, rose petals, violets, and a touch of smoky, iron-tinged minerality. Lange Estate’s 2015 Pinot Noir is a study in precision and elegance. Beautifully integrated tannins and to a perception of overall silliness, it fans out across the palate before it’s hemmed in by mineral flecks […]

Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2017

Bluebird Hill Cellars Chardonnay 2017

With a nose bedecked in orchard fruit, orange pastille, candied orange peel, lemon curd the Bluebird Hills Cellars 2017 Chardonnay is a blend of 50% neutral French oak and 50% Stainless steel with partial malolactic fermentation. Round and silky on entry, there’s a lovely juxtaposition between bright lemon-tinged acidity and full-bodied richness. A prolonged mouthwatering […]

Stoller Family Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2016

Stoller Family Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2016

Aged in 30% new French oak with partial malolactic fermentation, Stoller’s 2016 Reserve Chardonnay opens with an opulent profusion of d’Anjou pears and golden apples followed by hawthorn flower and baker’s spice. Round and silky on entry, the palate tension between fruit and acid is simply gorgeous. Flavors evolve and linger; white peach, lemon curd, […]

Alloro Vineyard Riservata Pinot Noir 2016

Alloro Vineyard Riservata Pinot Noir 2016

Blended from a selection of blocks across the winery’s 78-acre estate, the 2016 Alloro Riservata is clean and precise. Black cherries and black raspberries lie beneath more ethereal notes of lanolin, dried herbs, forest floor, and blooming florality. Aged in 35%-45% new French oak barrels—in the mouth, it’s exquisitely balanced with ultra-fine, sueded tannins twining […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com