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Troon Vineyard Estate Tannat 2013

Troon Vineyard Estate Tannat 2013

At this stage in its development, it’s quite brawny, and by that, I’m referring to the sheer depth and concentration on the nose which is shows more earth than fruit—a stratified mix of freshly turned tilth, wet terra cotta, forest floor, and black truffle over an underlayment of plums. In the mouth, smoked meat and […]

Dobbes Family Estate “Elements” Rosé Oregon Bubbles Seabreeze Vineyard 2017

Dobbes Family Estate "Elements" Rosé Oregon Bubbles Seabreeze Vineyard

Glinting pale salmon, Dobbes Rosé 2017 Seabreeze Vineyards Oregon Bubbles is crisp and clean, offering up bright notes of pie cherries, wild strawberries, and red-skinned apples. A lively mousse and livelier acidity shows off this wine’s marine origins. Pink grapefruit notes dominate the close. 12.5% ABV | Sample It’s worth noting that Dobbes donates 10% […]

Alloro Vineyard Justina Pinot Noir 2016

Alloro Vineyard Justina Pinot Noir 2016

Deftly balanced, the 2016 Alloro Justina Pinot Noir slowly unfurls to reveal refined, layered aromas of black cherry, ripe black raspberry, and a carpet of thyme flowers. An estate blend of 777, 667, 114, 115, Wadenswil, and Pommard—the tannins are fine and polished, bright acidity peaks and crescendoes, fanning out across the palate, leaving in […]

Le Cadeau Vineyard Diversité Pinot Noir 2016

Le Cadeau Vineyard Diversité Pinot Noir 2016

Le Cadeau’s 2016 Diversité Pinot Noir is comprised of nine clones including Mariafeld—a thick-skinned Swiss clone that is open clustered and more resistant to Botrytis. As it opens, aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, and pie cherry are followed by a lilting top note of anise seed and crushed lavender. Round, elegant, and softly textured with well-integrated […]

Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir 2016

Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir 2016

I was pleased to have toured Carmel Road’s stunning Panorama vineyard on the day they had a falconer out to deter starlings just ahead of harvest and equally pleased to meet their capable winemaker. The 2016 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir is loaded with briary fruit anchored by aromas of earthy substrata. Sous bois, dried […]

Prophecy Wines California Pinot Noir 2016

Prophecy Pinot Noir 2016

Aside from beautiful packaging, Prophecy features varieties from regions across the globe. I’ve much preferred their whites over the reds, especially their Italian Pinot Grigio. That said, the 2016 Prophecy California Pinot Noir is loaded with dusty cherries, plums, macerated strawberries, and vanilla. It’s plush in the mouth, and soft, as one might expect—it’s meant […]

Tendril Child’s Play Rosé Pinot Noir 2017

Tendril Child's Play Rosé Pinot Noir 2017

Shimmering translucent magenta, the 2017 Child’s Play Rosé shows off its Pinot pedigree with vibrant aromas of brambly berries, pie cherry, raspberry, and a lilting floral and spice top note. It’s silky on entry, and bright with an impressive finish that lasts well over a minute. Another win from Tendril Wine Cellars. Sample Tendril Wines […]

History Mont Elise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

History Mont Elise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Stoller’s History series is all about unearthing the oldest vines in the Pacific Northwest and making single vineyard, small lot expressions from them. The 1968 Mont Elise Vineyard is a Pinot Noir from one of the oldest vineyard plots in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Limpid garnet in the glass, it’s finely wrought with aromas of […]

History Upland Vineyard Muscat 2014

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

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 […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com