Abacela Reserve Tempranillo 2005
Abacela’s 2005 Reserve Tempranillo is opaque, with only the oxblood-rim belying age. It’s mature now, but has a long drinking window ahead of it, perhaps another 5-8 years. The nose is rich and complex, a melange of black cherries and plums, Christmas cake, leather, and dusty earth. The attack reveals mouth coating, grippy tannins and […]
Brooks Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015
A stunning value from Brooks, their 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is packed with enticing aromas. Sweet pie cherries, strawberry compote, and a suggestion of black raspberry are overlaid by classic Willamette Valley descriptors: forest floor, rose petal, lavender, and dried mushroom. It’s silky and fine boned on entry, with enough acidity to ensure that […]
Abacela Reserve Tempranillo 2009
Tempranillo grown in Southern Oregon, in this case Umpqua Valley, shows great promise, as Abacela has demonstrated time and again through their bottlings of this earthy, Spanish queen. The 2009 Reserve Tempranillo is resplendent in an earthy mantle of dried blood, brick dust, roasted black cherries, and plums. The balance on the palate is spot […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay 2014
A pinnacle Oregon Chardonnay, the 2014 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum hails from a single block at the heart of the Seven Springs vineyard where the soil is thin and a stony basalt outcropping can be seen. The vines, all Dijon clones, were planted in 1984, and are naturally low yielding. Summum is stunningly […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay 2014
Finely wrought and delicate, the 2014 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay shows off beautiful tapicity. If you’re not convinced of Oregon’s Chardonnay Renaissance, than do seek out a bottle from Evening Land. Orchard fruit, mandarin orange, and an ethereal top note that drifts from iodine to acacia flowers to mint. Stylish and […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Gamay Noir 2015
Evening Land’s Cru Beaujolais-like Gamay Noir is sourced from the oldest Gamay Noir vines in the country, planted in 1983—though I am told that there is also a younger block in the blend. In keeping with Beaujolais tradition, this is whole cluster carbonic fermentation in concrete, the effect of which is lovely. Pie cherries burst […]
Leah Jørgensen Cellars Oregon Tour Rain 2014
This is the second bottle I’ve tasted from Leah Jorgensen, on finishing my glass, I can honestly say her wines leave me with more questions than answers. The 2014 Tour Rain reminds me of some of my favorite wines from the Bourgueil. With a brilliant dark magenta robe, this Oregon Cab Franc is seductive and […]
King Estate Domaine Pinot Noir 2014
I had the chance to sample some of the 2014 vintage from barrel with King Estate’s former 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 pungent […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Estate Chardonnay 2014
Really lovely, the Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 brings with it sense of refinement. Like a classically tailored blazer, its texture is soft but structured, underpinned by a layer fine tannins and bolstered by lithe and lovely notes of lemon zest and blanched almond, pencil shavings and orchard fruit. Under winemaker Sashi Moorman’s […]
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 […]