Hello from Andy at Avalon Wine, It’s a boy! My son Everett William was born two weeks ago on Mother’s Day. This holiday weekend I’m sharing some favorites with friends and my newly expanded family. Celebrate with us and take 15% off these 4 wines I’ve been pouring at my house before, during, and after [...]
Oregon Pinot noir: Arterberry Maresh New Pinots
It’s the connections we make with each that matter most in life. And in my world, that connection is so often forged over good wine. I was reminded of that Friday when I got out from behind my desk, drove to wine country, and met up with fellow wine lovers at Arterberry Maresh. Few things [...]
Oregon Pinot noir: Two Brothers’ Horsetail, Two Messengers
Hello from Jean at Avalon Wine, I love these wines and the brothers who made them. Jared and Mikey Etzel grew up at Beaux Freres among Oregon’s wine pioneers, learning from their Dad Mike and their uncle, famous wine critic Robert Parker. The 2011 vintage of Jared and Mikey Etzel’s Horsetail Pinot noir ($27.95/$25.15) is [...]
Rasa Vineyards Rocks Walla Walla Wines
Walla Walla’s Rasa Vineyards Rocks – Billo Naravane is a rock star winemaker, and the vineyards he uses to make his rockin’ wines are in the coveted “rocks” area on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla appellation (where the Cayuse vineyards are located.) In just five vintages, Rasa is a mailing list/waiting list winery. [...]
Oregon Riesling From Ovum Wines
It takes something remarkable to turn our heads. John House and Ksenija Kostic at Ovum did exactly that last week with two stunning Rieslings. Ovum Wines Off the Grid Riesling 2011 $21.55 in any 12 bottle order or Build a Case* ($23.95 regular) So mouthwatering my nose puckered when the wine hit the glass. [...]
Patricia Green Cellars 2012 Pinot noir Futures
I’m putting my money on the Patty Green 2012 Pinots, buying a serious cellarful. I invite you to join me. Patty’s 2012′s are a must-try. They exceed expectations – tasting them in barrel last month was a revelation. This is everything you want in big Oregon Pinots times ten. Intriguing, elusive and hedonistically huge, I [...]
Five New Oregon Pinots from Evesham Wood
Five New Oregon Pinots from Evesham Wood & Haden Fig Every year Evesham Wood and its co-winery Haden Fig produce unbeatable values in small production Oregon Pinot noir. The wines are always Avalon bestsellers and favorites. Winemaker Erin Nuccio has a string of new releases including five cellar-worthy Pinots under $30, plus the fantastic summer [...]
Seven Hills Old Vine Walla Walla Cabernet Seven Hills Vineyard Wine Spectator 93 Pts
From Walla Walla’s oldest Cabernet vines (30 years!) comes today’s first outstanding wine, the Wine Spectator 93-point Seven Hills Walla Walla Cab 2010. We liked it so much we selected it for our Big Reds Wine Club. It’s fantastic! The second wine is Guardian Cellar’s flagship: Gun Metal 2010. This will be one of the [...]
Illahe Vineyards: Oregon Winery to Know
You want to know about Illahe. The 2012 Illahe whites are ambrosia in a bottle: a rich Pinot gris, a layered Gruner, and an intense Viognier. We are most drawn to wineries like Illahe. The owners grow their own grapes and are deeply committed to the longterm: Lowell Ford has 30+ years experience in the [...]
Oregon Pinot noir Values: Worth the Wait
Hello from Marcus at Avalon Wine, I have two new Oregon Pinot noir values worth the wait. While nearly all of the sub-$25 2010 Oregon Pinots have been sold out for months, Et Fille and Whistling Dog waited patiently until their wines were ready. And man are they ready! Et Fille Willamette Valley 2010 [...]
