Wine Spectator Top Rated Oregon Wines

 

Wines on this page have been rated well by Wine & Spirits, Wine Spectator, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Burghound, or Northwest wine publications such as Wine Press NW, the Oregon Wine Report, or PinotFile. Newly released wines from wineries with a history of past good scores from these publications are shown on this page. (The vintages reviewed by these publications are often sold out by the time ratings are published).

We've included a few wines from winemakers whose other wines have received high scores. The best example of this is the Dusky Goose Pinot noir, made by Lynn Penner-Ash. She makes a wine for her Penner-Ash Wine Cellars called "Goldschmidt" Pinot noir that got great ratings from Wine Spectator. She also makes this wine, from the same vineyard source, which is as good or better, but is not submitted to Wine Spectator or any other reviewer.

Wine Advocate
Oregon Wine Reviews
July 2006

Parker's annual Wine Advocate Oregon issue is out, with the commentary and reviews written, as usual, by Pierre Rovani.

There are three 94 points wines this time, more than ever before, and lots of 90-93 pointers. All in all, his assessment of Oregon is: "progress is steady".

The three 94 point wines were:

Hamacher Pinot noir 03
(will not be released for a year),
Bryce Vineyard Pinot noir 03
( sold out), and
St Innocent Pinot noir
White Rose 03

(sold out, Avalon's Reserve Pinot noir Wine Club members
received it in their June 2005 shipment).

We have a supply of the St Innocent White Rose 04, (featured in our June 23rd email) which we think is better than the 2003. The time to order is now, if you wait until it is reviewed next year, it will be long gone.

The six 93 point wines were:

Bethel Heights Pinot noir Casteel 03
(featured in our last email),
Francis Tannahill Syrah 02
(sold out),
St Innocent Pinot noir Anden 03 (sold out),
St Innocent Pinot noir Shea 03

(sold out, we have the St Innocent Shea 04 available),
Soter Pinot noir Beacon Hill 03
(sold out, sent to the Avalon RPN Club in September 2005),
Ken Wright Nysa 04 (sold out).

Of the 90-92 point wines, we recommend the following that are still available:
(click links to read Parker reviews)

Adea Pinot noir Hawk's View 03 $31.46/34.95
Wine Advocate 90 points.

Bethel Heights Pinot noir Seven Springs 04 $35.87/$39.85
Wine Advocate 91 points
.

Bethel Heights Pinot noir Casteel Reserve 03 $35.77/$39.75
Wine Advocate 93 points.

Argyle Spirithouse 03 $54/$60
Wine Advocate 89+ points.
Wine Spectator rating 92 points.

Elk Cove Pinot noir Mt Richmond 04 375 ml $16.88/$18.75
Wine Advocate 91 points
.

Hamacher Pinot noir 2002 $40.46/$44.95
Wine Advocate 90+ points. The 2003 will not be released for a year.

Andrew Rich Roussanne 04 $16.16/$17.95
Wine Advocate 89 points.

We recommend these newer vintages
of top rated wines in the Oregon Issue of Wine Advocate:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY AVALON
St Innocent Pinot noir White Rose 04 $35.96/$39.95

The 2003 St Innocent White Rose received 94 points from Wine Advocate.
From the winery: "St Innocent's most hedonistic wine. It is the only wine that I do not focus on the details of aroma or flavor. Instead, I enjoy the pleasure, it is drop dead gorgeous. Aromas of perfectly ripe fruit and hints of sweet smoky oak, it fills your mouth with dark fruits and red flowers. Lush with ripe tannin, it is still quite young and should fill out even more through the end of 2006."

Brick House Les Dijonnais 04 $41.36/$45.95
The 2003 vintage received 91 points from Wine Advocate.
The 2004 Les Dijonnais, in nose and mouth, shows floral, mineral, fruit, and smoke elements. Sweet red cherry and dried roses intermingle with deep cherry, berry, and plum flavors, and there's a hint of fresh turned earth after a spring rain. Elegant rather than blockbuster, this is typically sophisticated and complex Brick House -- classically Burgundian, with an Oregon twist.

Francis Tannahill "The Hermit" 04 $40.46/$44.95
The 2003 Francis Tannahill Hermit received 90+ points from Wine Advocate.

Tasting Notes from the winery – The wine possesses a beautiful dark garnet burgundy color from the almost opaque center to the rim. Excellently focused aromas of violets and smoke immediately emerge from the glass. Complex spice, sweet raspberries, bing cherries, blackberries, game, minerals (wet stones) and earth notes come out with aeration. Very ripe and perfumed, the aromatics lead to a rich and succulent palate.

Bethel Heights Pinot noir Southeast Block 04 $32.40/$36.00
2003 Bethel Heights Southeast Block received 91 points from Wine Advocate.
2004 is a new release, June, 2006. From the winery: "Lush, layered and finely textured, the 2004 Southeast Block greets you with a feast of ripe raspberry, Bing cherry, plum and oak spice. The palate is full and rich, balanced with ample acidity and tannin to provide outstanding length and breadth."

J Daan Wine Cellars Pinot noir 04 $17.95/$19.95
2003 J Daan Pinot noir received 90 points from Wine Advocate!
J Daan is the winery of Justin Van Zanten, assistant winemaker to Andrew Rich since 2001. With a sweet and appealing nose of perfumed raspberry and violets, entwined with sweet toasty vanilla oak, this is a really nice everyday wine. Flavors of black raspberry, red raspberry, red cherry, and a hint of nutmeg make for a juicy, yummy, easy drinking Pinot. The finish is simple but well made, and it's so easy to drink and enjoy.

Stevenson Barrie Pinot noir Shea Vineyard 03 $24.98/$27.75
The 2002 received 90 points from Wine Advocate.
Last week, we sent out an email about the 2002, and you ordered quite a bit. Now the winery is on to the 2003, which we think is as good or better.

 

As long as we're talking about Wine Spectator and ratings, here's our page of wines that are NOT well known enough to be rated by Wine Spectator, our selection of "Insider" wines. You know how great it is to find a little wine that tastes great, has a great price, a neat story, and no one else knows about. Well, we look for those wines all the time, and list our choices for the best Insider wines on a special page.

 

 

 

 


=======================

Here's the way Harvey Steiman saw
the last few Oregon vintages:

 

2004

Wine Spectator
Prelimnary Ratings
for Oregon and Washington 2004 Vintages:

Oregon B+

 
2003 ???? Not on the site yet.  
2002 "Extraordinary balance, pure flavors, some great wines 97
2001 "Many elegant wines but some excessive yields"

94

2000 "Many intense wines, but beware those caught in late season rain" 91
1999 "Brilliantly flavored, focused wines

94

1998 "Rich, classic wines, few poor bottles, some are tannic" 92

Wine Spectator is the US's most widely read wine magazine, and its ratings are eagerly anticipated (and sometimes dreaded) by Northwest winemakers. Wine Spectator's reviewer for Oregon and Washington wines is Harvey Steiman. When Mr Steiman is in the Northwest, everyone knows. His annual visits give winemakers the chance to strut their stuff to one of the most influential publications in the wine industry.


Harvey Steiman

Harvey Steiman is Editor at large for Wine Spectator, based in San Francisco. He joined Wine Spectator in 1983. His tasting beat includes Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, and Washington.

Wine Spectator’s
100-Point Scale

95–100 Classic

90–94 Outstanding

85–89 Very Good

80–84 Good

70–79 Average

50–69 Not Recommended

 

Read More About
Wine Spectator's
Rating Procedure Here

Wine Spectator Ratings-
Washington Wines 7/05


Betz Syrah Red Mountain La Côte Rousse 2002 94

Cougar Crest Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2002 94

Chateau Ste. Michelle White Riesling Columbia Valley Ice Wine 2002 93

Fielding Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2002 93

Russell Creek Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2002 93

Whitman Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2002 93

Betz Syrah Columbia Valley La Serenne 2002 92

Owen Sullivan R3 Columbia Valley 2002 92

Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Mountain 2002 92

Sineann Zinfandel Columbia Valley Old Vine 2002 92

Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Baby Poux Vineyard 2002 92

Tyrus Evan Syrah Walla Walla 2002 92

Bookwalter Merlot Columbia Valley 2002 91

Cadence Bel Canto Red Mountain 2002 91

Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain 2002 91

Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley Reserve 2002 91

Chateau Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Riesling Columbia Valley Eroica 2002 91

Columbia Crest Syrah Columbia Valley Reserve 2002 91

Hogue Chardonnay Columbia Valley Reserve 2002 91

Januik Syrah Columbia Valley 2002 91

K Syrah Walla Walla Valley The Beautiful 2002 91

L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot Walla Walla Valley Seven Hills Vineyard 2002 91

L'Ecole No. 41 Syrah Walla Walla Valley Seven Hills Vineyard 2002 91

Leonetti Merlot Columbia Valley 2002 91

Owen Roe DuBrul Vineyard Rosa Mystica Block Yakima Valley 2002 91

Owen Roe Syrah Yakima Valley DuBrul Vineyard Rosa Mystica Block 2002 91

Russell Creek Tributary Washington 2002 91

Spring Valley Uriah Walla Walla Valley 2002 91

Tamarack Firehouse Red Columbia Valley 2002 91

Buty Chardonnay Columbia Valley Conner Lee Vineyard 2002 90

Cadence Klipsun Vineyard Red Mountain 2002 90

Cayuse Viognier Walla Walla Valley Cailloux Vineyard 2002 90

Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley Indian Wells 2002 90

Columbia Crest Chardonnay Columbia Valley Reserve 2002 90

Cougar Crest Cabernet Franc Walla Walla Valley 2002 90

Cougar Crest Merlot Walla Walla Valley Hangartown Select 2002 90

Five Star Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2002 90

Five Star Merlot Walla Walla Valley 2002 90

Fort Walla Walla Merlot Walla Walla Valley 2002 90

Barnard Griffin Merlot Red Mountain Ciel du Cheval 2002 90

Isenhower Syrah Columbia Valley Wild Alfalfa 2002 90

K Syrah Walla Walla Valley Cougar Hills 2002 90

K Syrah Walla Walla Valley Wells 2002 90

Kiona Chenin Blanc Red Mountain Ice Wine 2002 90

L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon Columbia Valley Barrel Fermented 2002 90

L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon Walla Walla Valley Late Harvest Seven Hills Vineyard 2002 90

Owen Sullivan Ulysses Sheridan Vineyard Yakima Valley 2002 90

Russell Creek Sangiovese Walla Walla Valley 2002 90

Saviah Big Sky Cuvée Walla Walla Valley 2002 90

Saviah Syrah Red Mountain 2002 90

Silver Lake Syrah Columbia Valley 2002 90

Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2002 90

Waterbrook Merlot Columbia Valley 2002 90

Amavi Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2002 89

Cadence Tapteil Vineyard Red Mountain 2002 89

Columbia Chardonnay Yakima Valley Wyckoff Vineyard David Lake Signature Series 2002 89

Columbia Crest Chardonnay Columbia Valley Grand Estates 2002 89

Cougar Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2002 89

Covey Run Chardonnay Yakima Valley Reserve 2002 89

DeLille Chaleur Estate White Columbia Valley 2002 89

Dunham Syrah Columbia Valley Lewis Vineyard 2002 89

Dusted Valley Barrel Thief Red Columbia Valley 2002 89

E.B. Foote Perfect á Trois Columbia Valley 2002 89

Fort Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2002 89

Isenhower Merlot Columbia Valley Red Paintbrush 2002 89

Kestrel Viognier Yakima Valley Kestrel View Estate Vineyard 2002 89

Kiona White Riesling Red Mountain Late Harvest 2002 89

L'Ecole No. 41 Syrah Columbia Valley 2002 89

MacCallum Syrah Yakima Valley 2002 89

Natalie's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Hillside Vineyard 2002 89

Nelms Road Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2002 89

Rulo Combine Columbia Valley 2002 89

Seven Hills Merlot Columbia Valley Klipsun Vineyard 2002 89

Tamarack Merlot Columbia Valley 2002 89

Whitman Viognier Walla Walla Valley 2002 89

Woodward Canyon Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2002 89

Arbor Crest Chardonnay Columbia Valley Conner Lee Vineyard 2002 88

Badger Mountain Syrah Columbia Valley 2002 88

Basel Cellars Syrah Columbia Valley 2002 88

Cadence Coda Columbia Valley 2002 88

Chateau Faire Le Pont Provence Washington 2002 88

Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris Columbia Valley 2002 88

Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot Columbia Valley Cold Creek Vineyard 2002 88

Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2002 88

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley Horse Heaven Vineyard 2002 88

Columbia Riesling Columbia Valley Cellarmaster's 2002 88

Columbia Crest Shiraz Columbia Valley 2002 88

Dunham Syrah Columbia Valley 2002 88

E.B. Foote Syrah Columbia Valley Graves Vineyard 2002 88

Five Star Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2002 88

Glen Fiona Syrah Columbia Valley Bacchus Vineyard 2002 88

Goose Ridge Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2002 88

Hogue Johannisberg Riesling Columbia Valley 2002 88

Hogue Chardonnay Columbia Valley Genesis 2002 88

Kiona Gewürztraminer Red Mountain Late Harvest 2002 88

L'Ecole No. 41 Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2002 88

L'Ecole No. 41 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2002 88

L'Ecole No. 41 Sémillon Walla Walla Valley Seven Hills Vineyard 2002 88

Lone Canary Sauvignon Blanc Yakima Valley 2002 88

Lost River Merlot Columbia Valley 2002 88


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


$40.46 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $44.95

Qty.

Brand new release, late November 2007!

Previous vintage notes: Wine Spectator 90 points for 2003 vintage. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Made from older vine Pinot noir, all Wadenswil clone, and the win

...read more


$40.46 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $44.95

Qty.

"cool and beautifully complex nose of briar, dark berry fruit and a nuance of animale merges into barely medium weight flavors that possess impressive focus and detail on the pure and linear finish
...read more



$18.86 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $20.95

Qty.

Affordable red wine blend.
...read more


$33.26 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $36.95

Qty.

New release of one of the finest Northwest Chardonnays produced!

Previous vintage tasting notes: Wow, this is definitely my favorite Chardonnay of the Walla Walla tasting (3-07). Bright wit

...read more


$24.25 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $26.95

Qty.

A near ideal white wine, reminiscent of the best of Sancerre, crisp apple meshes with creamy pear and hints of spice. Lovely. -Jean

Though predominately made of semillon I found the nose held

...read more


$47.25 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $52.50

Qty.

Wine Spectator rating 90 points: "Earthy, herbal character wafts through this firm red blend, picking up red cherry and roasted red pepper notes as the flavors persist on a well-integrated fini
...read more

Argyle Pinot Noir Spirithouse 03

$54.00 - Case price (any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $60.00

Wine Spectator rating 92 points: "Smooth and round, beautifully polished, plush and generous with its spicy, floral nuances to the dark berry, cherry and tar flavors, sailing through the long finish.
...read more >>

 


$10.75 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $11.95

Qty.

Bright pale yellow color hints of aromas suggestive of citrus fruits, acacia and lime blossoms, lychee, minerals, honeysuckle, white peaches and nectarines. Concentrated with the classic proportions o
...read more


$35.96 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $39.95

Qty.

2005 tasting notes will be posted shortly.

Previous vintage tasting notes: Tanzer 91 points: "Light red. Flat-out gorgeous nose of red berries, yellow rose and five-spice powder, with a

...read more


$16.16 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $17.95

Qty.

"The great white grape of France's Rh?ne Valley was first planted in Eastern Washington in the late 90s, so it's not surprising that most people are still unaware of its existence. That's too ba
...read more


St Innocent Brut 00 Sparkling Wine

$16.20 - Case price (any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $18.00

New, and last, vintage. Quite, quite good for the price, we reach for this sparkler when there's a special occasion at the store.

Winemaker's tasting notes for 99 vintage: "We were blown away

...read more >>

 


$26.95 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

On Sale! $29.95 was $38.95

Qty.

The Basel Cellars Syrah 05 was aged for 18 months in 68% new oak, half French and half American, and is all free-run juice. The wine is 100% Syrah, and you know it the minute you pour it in the gla
...read more



$15.26 - Case sale only
Case price is 15% off
(12 bottles of this wine)

Single Bottle Price: $17.95

Type "case" in coupon field of shopping cart for 15% discount


Qty.

The Bethel Heights Quercus Chardonnay is crisp and refreshing. Melon and green apple flavors finish with mineral and citrus hints.
...read more


$14.80 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $16.45

Qty.

Naturally balanced acidity makes this a refreshing, crisp food wine and one of the most popular summer whites for Washington restaurants.
...read more


$34.61 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $38.45

Qty.

HUGE, rich, lush, hedonistic Merlot, just an inspired choice for steaks on the grill. In the giant red wine style of Owen Roe or O-S.
...read more


$16.16 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $17.95

Qty.

French in style, intense yet nuanced, with classic Alsacian fresh scents, creamy stone fruit, and clean, mineral/slate finish. This vintage, the wine is especially good with dishes made with mussels.
...read more


$31.46 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $34.95

Qty.

Rick Mafit says: "Rich ripe cassis and blackberry with elegantly soft yet structured tannin ( a combination of the fruit and about 50% new oak-Seguin-Moreau Chateau Frere thin staved barrels.) Round a
...read more


$23.62 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $26.25

Qty.

Solena Cellars Grand cuvee is a blend of Pinot noirs from across Oregon.
...read more


$26.95 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $29.95

Qty.

The Teritorial Stone's Throw Pinot just plain rocks. An outstanding value it's big in style, but still classically Pinot. The Stone's Throw is immediately inviting with a nose of strawberries an
...read more



$26.99 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $29.99

Qty.

Wine Spectator rating 88 points for 02: "Smooth and polished, with a spicy edge to the harmonious currant and herb flavors, finishing with grace. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, an
...read more


$20.66 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $22.95

Qty.

Excellent value that comes and goes quickly each year.
...read more


$20.66 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $22.95

Qty.

From the winery: "A mouthful of wine that showcases elegant, ripe blackberry, red currant and concentrated plum flavors. Well integrated, silky tannins and sweet oak extend through the long, delicate
...read more

Snoqualmie Syrah Reserve 03

$20.66 - Case price (any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $22.95

This is a rich Syrah, bursting with big black fruits in the mouth -- black plum, blueberry and blackberry. Sweet oak notes add complexity to this wine. Soft, luscious tannins linger beautifully on the
...read more >>

 


$15.07 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $16.75

Qty.

(Previously known as Evolution #9) A handcrafted blend of nine varieties, each bringing a layer of nuance and complexity to this unique wine. Extraordinarily food-friendly, especially with spicy foods
...read more


$15.25 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $16.95

Qty.

SF Chronicle says: "THREE STARS 2006 Van Duzer Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris ($17) Van Duzer's estate vineyard has the same average high daily temperatures as all of northern Willamette Valley,
...read more


$31.91 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $35.45

Qty.

Fully mature fruit shows in the mouth; the texture is smooth and silky. The finish is complex, generous and long. This wine may be consumed now but it will benefit substantially with a year in bottl
...read more


$37.76 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $41.95

Qty.

An elegant wine that opens with bold aromas of raspberry, mint, maple, chocolate, clove, coconut and licorice, it's medium-bodied, dense and muscular with a bold, rich, smoky coffee-mocha finish.
...read more


$31.46 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $34.95

Qty.

The most lush and fruit forward Merlot ever from Woodward Canyon, Rick made a particularly good wine, given the unparalleled heat in Washington in 2003. While much more forward than his usual style, h
...read more


$39.55 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $43.95

Qty.

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc Made with fruit from the Seven Hills Vineyard. Perigee exemplifies Seven Hill Vineyard's characteristic cedary, black cherry elegance. Polished w
...read more


$34.65 - Case price
(any 12 or more bottles)

Price: $38.50

Qty.

The '04 Antica Terra is brimming with fruit and is a little more open than the '03, but with the same Burgundian style of previous Antica Terra vintages. The nose is filled with lavender, dried flow
...read more