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Mt. Beautiful 10 Barrels Pinot Noir 2015

Mt. Beautiful 10 Barrels Pinot Noir 2015

More expressive on the second day, Mt. Beautiful’s 2015 10 Barrels Pinot Noir opens with a wreath of foresty undertones—dried herbs, decaying leaves, climbing rose, and, lilac bush encircles blackberry and black cherry. In the mouth, the tannins are fine and supple, with high toned-red berries and a wiry acid spine that gives way to […]

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 […]

Domaine Bobinet Hanami 2014

Domaine Bobinet Hanami 2014

From the Saumur-Champigny region of the Loire, Domaine Bobinet’s 2014 Hanami is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, 30% of which is carbonically macerated. The nose unspools to reveal earthy barnyard funk, freshly turned tilth, and decomposing leaves along with pie cherries and Damson plum. In the mouth, it’s a touch astringent and drying, with a […]

Herdade do Esporão Colheita Tinto 2017

Esporão Colheita Tinto 2017

A delightful blend that features Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca, Esporão 2017 Colheita Tinto is made from organically-grown grapes from the winery’s estate. Pigéage is accomplished in large concrete vats. Plums, black cherries, and vanilla round out the nose. It’s quite dry on the palate, with structured, chewy tannins. Minerality resonates against a backdrop […]

Storypoint Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Storypoint Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% that’s listed as “other varieties,” the 2017 Storypoint is an excellent value for lovers of California Cabernet. The nose offers up an expressive bouquet of macerated blackberry, plum, vanilla, and a lifted note of tar and dried mint. It’s full-bodied with […]

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 […]

Leonetti Walla Walla Valley Reserve 2001

Leonetti Reserve 2001

2001 marked my enrollment into the Institute for Enology and Viticulture in Walla Walla. It was the first year I tasted Leonetti, the following year the Figgins family awarded me a scholarship. To revisit this wine brings back memories—the 2001 Reserve is an opulent blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 7.5% Cabernet Franc. […]

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 […]

Domaine Trouvére Umpqua Valley Syrah 2015

Domaine Trouvére Umpqua Valley Syrah 2015

A proper Umpqua Valley Syrah, this particular bottle is maturing into something that feels very much like an aged Côte Rôtie with earthy soulfulness shining through in cascading waves of plum and blackberry, sooty earth, grilled meat, dried violets, and pink peppercorn. It’s much more nimble on the palate than the nose suggests, like any […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com