Ledger David Rogue Valley Southern Oregon Sangiovese 2014
A well-made Sangiovese from Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley—an appellation that shows great promise, turning out Spanish and Italian varieties of focus and depth. The 2014 Ledger David Sangiovese offers up a sumptuous bouquet of black plums, and blackberries, all resting beneath a garland of violets. In the mouth, it’s plush and open knit with black […]
Tendril Wine Cellars Extrovert Pinot Noir 2014
Winemaker Tony Rynders 2014 ‘Extrovert’ is so named because it is the most fruit forward label in Tendril’s portfolio. On the nose, the subtle interplay of blackberry, black cherry, cola, underbrush and decaying rose petal sets the stage for this focused Pinot Noir. In it, one can find concentration and balance, fine tannins, and admirable […]
Bluebird Hill Cellars Trilogy 2016
Densely packed aromas canned pear, honeydew melon, thai coconut custard are the welcome tones that lead into a palate that is surprisingly more taught than the nose belies. Bluebird Hill Cellars’ 2016 Trilogy is an undisclosed blend of three white varieties sourced from the Willamette Valley, displaying predominant orchard fruit flavors embroidered against a backdrop […]
Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2016
A classic Chardonnay profile of orchard fruit, yellow apple, and bosc pear with gently warming tones of vanilla paste and baking spice. Bluebird Hill Cellars 2016 Willamette Valley Chardonnay shows a degree of freshness on the palate—50% of the fruit undergoes malolactic fermentation while the other half does not—and lees aging has added body and […]
Bluebird Hill Cellars Walnut Ridge Pinot Gris 2016
From 15 year-old grown in Bellpine soil, the 2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Walnut Ridge Pinot Gris is a pale sunbeam in the glass with soft aromas of apple yellow, cantaloupe, and dried mint. In the mouth, the perception of softness continues with generous layers of fruit that relaxes a pleasant burst of acidity tinged with […]
Troon Whole Grape Ferment Riesling 2016
Southern Oregon wines never fail to surprise me, such is the case with Troon’s 2016 Whole Grape Ferment Riesling from Applegate Valley. Burnished gold in the glass, with oxidized notes—baked apple, lemon oil, grilled pineapple, almond skin, and yellow flowers. On the palate, texturally speaking skin contact is quite evident, as is the case in […]
Ledger David Rogue Valley Southern Oregon Tempranillo 2015
Ledger David’s 2015 Red Valley Tempranillo displays some hard angles on opening, especially in terms of acid balance. It’s much better on the second day, yielding soft aromas of plums, bing cherries, cedar, and violets. Medium bodied, and tightly-wound, with powdery tannins and a spicy hit of black pepper that charges in the back palate […]
Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2015
Stoller’s 2015 Dundee Hills Reserve Chardonnay is awash in Asian pear, lemon curd, granulated honey, and white flowers. The palate is delicate, with French oak so well integrated, it almost feels like a stainless ferment. Almost. Extended lees contact has graced this sustainably-grown Chardonnay with a silky, seamless texture that is as complex as it […]
Tendril Wine Cellars White Label Chardonnay 2014
From winemaker Tony Rynders, his 2014 White Label Chardonnay shows his skill in crafting wines with stunning precision and grace. Classic aromas of d’Anjou pear and yellow apple are rendered more complex by layers of lemon curd, pastry cream, allspice, white flowers, and toast. Aged fifteen months in 30% new French Oak, Rynders shows us […]
Knudsen Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015
Established by Cal and Julia Lee Knudsen in 1971, Knudsen Vineyards had long been a primary supplier of fruit to Argyle. The family’s second generation, Page, Colin, and David Knudsen were determined to make their own wines from the estate. The 2015s mark their fourth vintage, and the wines are still vinified at Argyle. The […]