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 […]
Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2016
A household staple in the Pacific Northwest, Kung Fu Girl Riesling is crafted from sustainably farmed grapes grown in Washington State’s newest AVA, Ancient Lakes. On opening, vivid aromas of white peach, pear, lemongrass, and lemon drop lead into a wine with peppy acidity that adds lift to a white-fruited core. There’s nice length on […]
Charles Smith Boom Boom! Syrah 2015
Iconic Washington State, Boom Boom Syrah has been a go-to-brand for Pacific Northwesterners for over a decade (or at least for as long as I’ve been drinking wine). The 2015 incorporates a touch of Viognier and Grenache (less than 3% combined) and is infused with blueberry pie, blackberry cobbler, earth, Dutch cocoa powder, and a […]
William Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
A winery that narrowly avoided last October’s fire, William Hill Estate has been turning out solid Napa Valley Cabernets for more than thirty years. The 2013 vintage is opaque in the glass with a violet to the edge to the rim. Dusty blackberries, plums, and black currants with a decidedly savory edge. In the mouth, […]
Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Iconic? Yes. A great value? You bet. Charles Smith’s nod to the Old World, Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is abundant with fruit: blueberry pie, ripe black cherries and plums orbit lighter notes of vanilla and violets ’round the bowl of the glass. On the palate, it’s textbook Washington Cabernet, abundantly laden in mouth-filling fruit, […]
Murrieta’s Well The Whip 2015
“Murietta’s Well is a partnership between Philip Wente and Sergio Traverso, the two revitalized the estate and gravity flow winery in 1990 and released The Spur and The Whip in 2010 to commemorate the winery’s 20th anniversary. A blend of 33% Sauvignon Blanc, 24% Semillon, 21% Chardonnay, and 12% Orange Muscat, the 2015 Whip is […]
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
It begins with a pulse. Blackberries. Like Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, softly, softly roasted black cherries and blackcurrants emerge, followed by lilting notes of graphite, sandalwood, forest and pain grille. On the palate, rippling layers of opulent dark fruit that glide across a textural landscape of well-integrated, supple tannins. The 2005 […]
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 […]