Oregon Wines
The Oregon Wine region has become synonymous with high quality Pinot Noir, and rightfully so, according to our Oregon Wine Guide. Within the last decade, the Willamette Valley AVA has seen a notable increase both in production and accolades for their wines. The moderate maritime climate allows the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes to gain flavor and structure during the warm days, yet maintain their acidity with the cooler temperatures that can roll in from the Pacific Ocean. Within the Willamette Valley, there are six sub appellations all with their own sub climate and terroir. The single vineyard Pinot Noirs from these areas are some of the highest rated wines in our Oregon Wine Reviews. The Southern Oregon AVA is the other main wine region and includes the sub AVAs of the Umpqua and Rogue Valleys. While Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris dominate the plantings throughout this area, as they do in the Willamette, Syrah and Cabernet Franc can also produce rather intricate and bold wines, especially in the Rogue Valley. Our Oregon Wine Ratings will help to decipher the wines that are worth your attention and have received the highest acclaim.
Adelsheim 2007 Boulder Bluff Vineyard Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains)
- Cellar Selection
- $58
This is the first vineyard-designation for the vineyard, and it’s easy to see why it was done. The wine has pinpoint focus, bright fruit, natural layering of spice, fruit and herb, with a punchy, briny spine that seems to gather force and go on forever. If a wine can ever be salty, this is the wine.
— P.G.
(12/15/2009)
Scott Paul 2008 Audrey Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
- Online Exclusive
- $65
All Maresh vineyard grapes are behind this gorgeous and feminine Pinot, with soft and evocative scents of truffle, chocolate and raspberry. Brilliant winemaking that takes all the elements of great Oregon fruit and puts them into unique focus, with winemaker Kelley Fox’s trademark blend of biodynamic earthy/fungal flavors, elegant berry/cherry fruit, and just a…
— P.G.
(6/1/2010)
Chehalem 2006 Statement Pinot Noir (Ribbon Ridge)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $99
This one-of-a-kind offering from Chehalem celebrates what they are calling a “great” vintage. The wine is dark, supple and immensely rich and dense, yet retains a lightness that captures the elegance of the Pinot Noir grape while propelling it to rarified heights. The mix of red and purple fruits, herb, spice and earth all come together in a smooth and seductive…
— P.G.
(6/1/2010)
Adelsheim 2009 Nicholas Vineyard Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $90
The best of a great flight of single-vineyard 2009 Pinots from Adelsheim, this new entry into the lineup is all muscle and black fruits. It is power-packed with dense, rich flavors, nuanced with exotic spices and black tea, moving into silky tannins and an extremely long, satisfying finish.
— P.G.
(11/1/2011)
Bergström 2009 Bergstrom Vineyard Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills)
- Cellar Selection
- $81
Sourced entirely from the biodynamic estate vineyard, this extraordinary wine delivers compact, complex, detailed aromas and flavors in perfect proportion. The blueberry and cherry fruit is wreathed in dried herbs and flowers. Fourteen months in French oak, roughly half new, adds a thread of vanilla bean. Loads of dried extract, polished tannins and moist earth…
— P.G.
(6/1/2012)
Abacela 2005 South Face Block Reserve Syrah
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $45
Look out, Hermitage, this has the grip, the earthiness, the herbs and spice, and above all the massive, ripe, complex fruit to compete. The layers of this wine just keep unfolding; the longer it breathes, the more it gives you. Crushed rock, lead pencil, Asian spice, blackberry, coffee and caramel…it never stops. What a superb achievement.
— P.G.
(4/1/2009)
Trisaetum 2010 Estates Reserve Riesling (Ribbon Ridge)
- Cellar Selection
- $32
A two-barrel selection consisting of the favorite sweeter barrel from each of the two estate vineyards. Intense, bright and focused, with candied lemon/lime fruit flavors. The power and concentration of the wine is remarkable.
— P.G.
(10/1/2011)
Bergström 2009 Sigrid Chardonnay
- Editors' Choice
- $80
An astonishing wine, creamy and loaded with lush fruit flavors. The tropical fruits are just the beginning; layer upon layer of marshmallow, whipped cream, brioche, butterscotch, buttered nuts, toast and more keep piling on. With all that richness, it remains a billowy, pillowy Chardonnay, light as a feather, yet deep and dreamy.
— P.G.
(6/1/2012)
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