Northwest Wine

North Carolina’s Favorite Oregon Winery? Domaine Serene

Jean Yates — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:13:35 +0000

Ask someone from North Carolina, my family’s neck of the woods, “What’s a good Oregon wine?”

Chances are they’ll name Domaine Serene. Fine restaurants and wine shops feature it as their finest Oregon wine – especially the Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve. Ask a wine collector in North Carolina, Georgia, or Florida what Oregon wine is in their cellar -a top place goes to Serene.

My family and old high school friends are in North Carolina and Georgia. I asked them. They checked with friends, and my sister asked her restauranteur neighbors. Yepp, they often named Domaine Serene.

Domaine Serene recently introduced their 2008 vintage Evenstad Reserve ($57.55.) Like a handful of Oregon’s best-known wineries, they are just releasing their signature 2008 Pinots.They let their 2008 Pinots develop in bottle over the last couple years. This bold Pinot is showing beautifully because of it.

Here’s our tasting notes, as well as the Wine Spectator 93 points note.

Broad and voluminous, the Evenstad Reserve 08 is a bigger Pinot, sporting black cherry and plum alongside baking spices and toast. It will continue to benefit from time in the cellar. – Marcus

2008 Wine Spectator – 93 points – Sleek and tangy, tightly focusing its cherry, raspberry and mineral flavors on a taut frame. Finishes with intensity and a hint of black olive. Drink now through 2018. – H.S.

From the winery: “Beautiful aromas of dark cherry, red raspberry, pipe tobacco, milk chocolate, pomegranate and earth. The palate is rich and supple, showing black raspberry, cherry pie, black currant, rose, violet and oak spice with a persistent and seamless finish.”

Carolina barbeque, fried catfish and hush puppies, Brunswick stew (here’s a recipe for 10 quarts!), fried chicken with biscuits and gravy, collards and fat back – North Carolina cuisine I remember fondly from childhood. I’m not sure how Domaine Serene pairs with them. I’ll ship a bottle to my sister Judy. Oregon Pinot with grits and and chicken fried steak -it just might work.

Best for Last? Eric Hamacher’s 2008 Pinot noir Reviewed

Marcus Looze — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:47:15 +0000

Avalon Wine Reviews Hamacher’s Oregon Pinot noir 2008

I know that adage “good things come to those who wait” aptly applies to wine, but I’m an impatient wine drinker.

So I’m thankful that Eric Hamacher held his 2008 Pinot noir until now. While many of the 2008s are going into hibernation, Hamacher’s 08 is coming out of the den to show off and prowl. An expressive nose lifts this right out of the glass: spiced cherry, red plum, cinnamon, lavender and incense fills your senses. Satiny-textured dark cherry, plum and raspberry picks up a ribbon of fine tannins that elongates the finish and will allow this to age for another 4-6 years or more.

Hamacher Pinot noir 2008
$44.95 in any 12 bottle order or build a case

Eric takes his time. He ages his wines several years longer than most. His Pinot noirs are made traditionally, aged for almost two years in barrel before racking and blending, and bottled by gravity (the gentlest way to get the wine from the tank into the bottle). Then the wines are carefully aged for two or more years until Eric feels that they are ready for release. “Often the classic vintages need some time to flesh-out and wrap their complex flavor profile in the velvet which is great Pinot Noir.”

Eric’s Pinot noirs are always blends of wine made from as many as eight different vineyards. Eric says: “Each (vineyard) is farmed to the particular needs of that site. Subsequently, there is a tremendous difference among the wines from each vineyard and even amongst the blocks of a given site. It is with this diversity that we set about pulling together ‘the best’ of each vintage. Within these barrels is a snapshot of what the growing season in Oregon was like. Within each blended bottle is that picture as interpreted by the Hamacher style of elegance over power, of complexity and suppleness.”

Eric is best known as the co-owner, with wife Luisa Ponzi, of the Carlton Winemakers’ Studio. One of the first cooperative wineries in Oregon, he hosts eight or more winemakers at the LEED platinum certified facility just outside downtown Carlton. According to Eric, he started the Studio “to prove that small wineries can realize the efficiency of a larger operation without sacrificing quality.” Brittan, Ayoub, and Andrew Rich are among the wineries he hosts today, and past tenants have included Penner Ash, Soter, and Dominio IV.

Oregon White Wines for Warm Weather

Marcus Looze — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:01:43 +0000

Are you looking forward to the weekend as much as I am? Oregon is in the middle of the warmest May ever, or at least it feels that way! We earn our sunny, 80-degree days with 6 months of dreary rain. The only plans I have are hanging out in our back yard, and you can be sure I’ll be sipping on some wine.

In celebration of this awesome upcoming weekend, I’ve put together 3 of Oregon’s best white wines. We might be known for Pinot gris, but these whites are so good Oregon might soon be known for Vermentino, Sauv blanc, and Viognier!

Troon Vineyard Foundation ’72 Vermentino 2011
$15.25 in any 12 bottle order or build a case ($16.95 retail)
As cool as the story is, the wine’s even better. Fresh cut lime and green apple mingle with perfectly ocean-like minerality and crisp acidity. There isn’t a better Northwest wine for oysters, and it screams for any fish or seafood. One of the coolest Northwest white wines I’ve tried, period.

The cool story: Troon’s owners became enamored with Vermentino while in Italy, and again with a visit to Tablas Creek in Paso Robles. They kept hearing “it has to see the ocean” and were determined to prove that wasn’t so. Five years ago, they grafted Vermentino onto 40 year-old Chardonnay vines, and started producing tiny amounts of Vermentino. They loved it, planted more, and finally have enough to share, with two goals in mind: setting the Benchmark for Vermentino in the Pacific Northwest, and being America’s largest Vermentino producer. Foundation 72 is their tribute to founder Dick Troon, who planted the Troon vineyard 40 years ago.

Andrew Rich Sauvignon Blanc 2011
$18.85 in any 12 bottle order or build a case ($20.95 retail)
I’ve been on a bit of a Sancerre kick recently, so it makes sense that Andrew Rich’s Sauv blanc would appeal to me. This wine is always good but the 2011 is in another league. Super-refreshing lime meets hints of grapefruit and gooseberry, with a palate that builds weight. Add to that a clean finish with a subtle stony character and you have a prime summer white.

Illahe Viognier 2011
$14.35 in any 12 bottle order or build a case ($15.95 retail)
Illahe’s Viognier just might be the fastest selling white wine in Oregon. Its peaches and cream fruit, low alcohol, and juicy acidity make this a thirst-quenching, deck-sipping star.

P.S. Don’t forget about our new Build a Case program. Buy a few bottles now, a few bottles later and when you hit 12 bottles, we’ll apply the 10% discount to your full order. Simply select “Build a Case” in your shipping preferences or let me know you’d like to build a case – it’s that easy.

THE Shea Vineyard 2010 Homer, Estate, Block 31, Block 7

Marcus Looze — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:23:10 +0000

Shea Vineyard is arguably Oregon’s best-known, highest-rated vineyard. While Shea sells grapes to several wineries, owners Dick and Deirdre Shea hand pick their favorite blocks and rows to make small amounts of their own label, Shea Wine Cellars. Their 2010 Shea Pinots are exquisite!

Here are our original tasting notes:

Shea Homer Pinot noir 2010

$71.95 in any 12 bottle order or build a case
($79.95 retail)
Very Limited

Shea’s Homer Pinot noir has been on the critics’ best-of-the-vintage lists since it was first produced. It is always the first to sell out and always the wine for which we receive the most requests. Why? Because when you hand-select the best barrels from one of Oregon’s most famous vineyards, you’re going to end up with something magical and profound.

Concentrated and deep, the layers of red, black and blue fruit take hold and persist. Shea’s signature violet ribbon weaves through the wine, carrying spices and sweet oak through the finish. Best to let Homer rest for a few years to allow its grandness to fully develop. I just had an 04 Homer that was spectacular. – Marcus

Shea Estate Pinot noir 2010

$35.95 in any 12 bottle order or build a case
($39.95 retail)
Highly Recommended. Wafts of violets, cola spice, and fresh red cherries lead into a juicy and sweet array of red fruits, with touches of blueberry. The 2010 Estate is loaded with bright character, finishing with delectable fruit and a smidgen of grilled herbs. The Estate is Shea’s opportunity to showcase the whole vineyard, all of its clones and sections. Drink now with decanting, or hold for up to 6 years. – Marcus

Shea Block 7 Pinot noir 2010

$51.25 in any 12 bottle order or build a case
($56.95 retail)
Very Limited
This assertive Shea Pinot opens with aromas of blackberries, caramel, black pepper, and a blend of grated nutmeg and clove. The spice-tinged blackberry core expands through the long finish. Cellar for 2-3 years and up to 8-10. 100% Wadenswil clone Pinot noir. – Marcus

Shea Block 31 Pinot noir 2010

$51.25 in any 12 bottle order or build a case
($56.95 retail)
Very Limited
Dark fruit scents mingle with toast and sweet tobacco, signaling the entry into this dark, vivid, and rich Pinot. Spicy black currant and raspberry picks up hints of coffee and Chinese five-spice blend, before the finish sings with fresh blackberry. I recommend cellaring 2-3 years – it will last much longer. A blend of Pommard and Wadesnwil clones, only 225 cases produced. - Marcus

Traveling with Oregon Pinot noir

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:27:26 +0000

"A "Friends of Avalon"
Story
By Mika Miyamoto-Shemali

Wine Reviewed:
Crowley Willamette Valley Pinot noir

I travel a lot for work or pleasure. And I have to confess that I almost always bring a bottle or two of Oregon Pinot Noir to wherever I travel. I kind of think of it as my travel insurance for I simply cannot live without Oregon Pinot Noir! I get very disappointed if the wine list at the local restaurant does not carry Oregon wines under the "Pinot Noir"section. Food and wine are such an important part of my travel!

I recently attended a work conference in Boston. As I was packing, my husband asked me, "What are you going to take this time?" (He knows me so well!) I went down to my basement and found a "2009 Crowley Pinot Noir Willamette Valley." It had been almost a year since I tasted their wine at pre-IPNC dinner pairing at Wildwood Restaurant. I had a flashback of the fine experience with Crowley’s wine – how well it went with the food and I recall being impressed. Crowley’s wine was definitely made to go with food. So, I grabbed a bottle and packed it well in my suitcase.

I arrived at my hotel in downtown Boston in the evening. Did I bring Portland weather? It was cold, foggy and wet – definitely not the type of weather that would encourage you to go out and be adventurous! Not knowing where to go for dinner by myself and also being tired, I decided to order room service. In a way, I wryly welcomed this as I thought a glass of fine Oregon Pinot Noir would be the perfect treat after a long day of traveling in dumpy weather!

I opened the menu. "Hmmm…. What should I order?" I called room service and asked them for some recommendations. I ordered exactly as they suggested – New England style clam chowder and chicken and orange vinaigrette with feta cheese salad and pita bread… An interesting combination, to say the least… I wasn’t sure if this combination would complement my Pinot Noir; nevertheless, I asked room service to send me a burgundy wine glass with my order. Twenty minutes later, the food arrived. Huh? I was disappointed to find one of those very ordinary generic red wine glasses staring at me, but that did not stop me from opening up the bottle. The room service man kindly unscrewed the bottle for me.

I poured the wine in the glass. Nice dark ruby color. Then I swirled and sniffed as I always do. Yeah, it had a nice Oregon Pinot Noir nose with a backbone full of that grassy tone. But the fruity notes of red berries and cherries were more dominant. At first sniff, I thought the wine was a little tight or closed still as I was actually hunting for the nose. So, I gave it few minutes to open up and had my first sip. I felt like I was eating the very first season of sour cherries, strawberries and raspberries. Ahhh, a hint of early summer! My IPNC pre-dinner memory came back.

I decided to start with my New England clam chowder. I had a sip. It was still hot and delicious- more delicious than I expected from hotel room service. It was very rich, creamy, thick and loaded with clams. Then I had a sip of wine. That was a "Wow" moment. I never thought the clam chowder would go with Oregon Pinot Noir. But the wine’s acid cut the richness of clam chowder so well that I could savor the flavor of this rich soup very well. This was my new wine-pairing discovery!

Then, I moved onto my salad – very refreshing on my palate after the clam chowder. Since, the pita bread that accompanied it was baked in oil, I decided to make a salad sandwich with it. The balance of the bread’s oiliness and the citrus flavor of the salad with a hint of feta were delicious in my mouth. Then, came the true test; would this go with Pinot Noir? I sipped.

OMG, what a symphony! The rich tartness of the salad went hand-in-hand with the tart berry flavored Pinot Noir. My night, after all, ended up with a very satisfying culinary experience in my cozy hotel room. And, best of all, I was perfectly relaxed in my P.J.s..

Of course, I could not finish the bottle by myself, so I pumped out the gas (I brought the pump and topper from home) hoping to have another comfy night like this in few days if not the next day.

That opportunity did not present itself; so, five days later, I arrived in Portland and decided to finish the bottle. I heated up a frozen mushroom pizza from Trader Joe’s and put sprinkles of arugula on top to spice it up – a classic Pinot Noir pairing in my dictionary. Yeah, the nose has diminished quite a bit, but the essence was still there. The aroma was still packed with red berries. The bonus this time is that it did not take a long time to open up and mellowed out to be smooth in my palate. The richness of cheese and spicy arugula was a nice contrast. Then, the mushrooms really pulled the flavor together. Had a sip of Crowley Pinot Noir. Aaaahhhh, what a joy! I was amazed with the flexibility of this wine. And who ever thought the wine would last this long and withstand the traveling shock! Amazing – Simply amazing. I have no hesitation to experiment more cuisine with this wine this summer.

Two Too Good – Haden Fig Oregon Pinot noir

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:07:19 +0000

Two Too Good – Under $30 Haden Fig Pinot noirs

Today we have two new Haden Fig single vineyard Oregon Pinot noirs that are too good to pass up, especially for under $30. They are tiny production Pinots that belong in your glass and in your cellar.

These two wines encompass what makes me love Oregon wine: fun-loving and easy-going on one hand, intellectual, nuanced, and contemplative on the other.

We can’t wait for you to try them!

Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Pinot noir 2010
$26.95 in any 12 bottle or build a case order ($29.95 retail)

Review: Beguiling and cerebral aromas make you want to pour a glass and smell it for hours. Dark red fruit, rosemary, and wet stones expand into a palate of dark berries, bright acidity and a picture-perfect finish of sweet licorice playing off white pepper. This is fun to drink now, especially over the course of a few days, but it will achieve another level of greatness when cellared for several years. Only 150 cases made for the world.

Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Pinot noir 2010
$26.95 in any 12 bottle or build a case order ($29.95 retail)

Review: Rounder, bolder and darker, all within the context of graceful Pinot noir. Blackberry, black raspberry, violet, vibrant and lush. The finish is like biting into a mouthful of summer blackberries! We’ve spent the week tasting this and pouring it in the shop – it’s received praise from customers and winemakers alike. The Bjornson is drinking great right now and it has plenty of stuffing to age for 3-4 years. Only 75 cases made for the world. Bjornson Vineyard shares a fence line with the famed Seven Springs Vineyard.

Washington’s Champoux Vineyard & Soos Creek Wines

Jean Yates — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:01:54 +0000

Champoux. Ciel du Cheval. You can argue that there are better vineyards in Washington, but you won’t likely win. Reds from these two vineyards always command hefty prices…almost always, that is. Soos Creek Champoux and Ciel du Cheval reds give new meaning to the term “value.” These two wines, with their amazing Cabernet backbones, are the best priced Washington big reds. Also today, the Wine Spectator 94 point Red Mountain Red from Fidelitas. Even more great juice.

About Champoux Vineyard
If there were a candidate for a Washington State “First Growth,” Champoux would be it. Wines made from its fruit are some of the most sought after from Washington.

Champoux Vineyard’s first blocks were first planted in 1972, making them some of the oldest in the state. The age of the vines, impeccable management, and a unique terroir combine to grow grapes that make terrific wines. The vineyard now consists of 170 acres of mixed varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon, Lemburger, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Riesling, Muscat, and Chardonnay.

Woodward Canyon, Quilceda Creek, and Andrew Will are all partner wineries of Champoux Vineyards along with Vineyard Manager, Paul Champoux. Champoux Vineyard is located in Alderdale, Washington, part of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.

About Ciel de Cheval Vineyard
When wine experts consider Washington State’s great vineyards, one name that consistently appears near the top of any list is Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA. Famed for the elegance and complexity of the wines it produces, Ciel du Cheval and its owner Jim Holmes have become near-legendary exemplars of what Washington wine is all about.

The desirability of fruit from Ciel du Cheval can be seen in the names of the wineries that produce wine from the vineyard: Quilceda Creek, Andrew Will, Betz Family, DeLille, Fidelitas, Mark Ryan, McCrea Cellars, and Cadence – among others.

“It’s great to have such a positive reputation,” admits Jim Holmes. “But it’s one of those things that feels temporary because there’s always the next guy coming up around the corner somewhere!”

But what isn’t temporary at Ciel du Cheval are the two ingredients of success that Holmes feels are critical. “Dirt and climate, climate and dirt,” he says when asked how he accounts for his vineyard’s success.

Today’s Featured Wines – Soos Creek, Fidelitas

Soos Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
Champoux Vineyard 2009

$34.15 in any 12 bottle order ($37.95 retail)

Man oh man – you have to be kidding me! Very Champoux – huge, super-inviting flavors of black cherry, cassis and blueberry are incredibly juicy, playing off a sage note on the supple, perfectly integrated finish. Here’s the win-win: this will drink fantastically from the day it arrives, and has outstanding balance to age for years. – Marcus

A blend consisting of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. The Champoux Cab contains grapes from seven blocks of the vineyard including some that are the primary sources for Quilceda Creek’s 100 point wines.

The color is exceptionally dark and the flavors are complex and very concentrated. This vineyard is now at the top of its game. – the winery

An April Avalon Wine Club Selection – 15% off for members of any of our clubs.

Soos Creek Ciel du Cheval Vineyard 2009

$34.15 in any 12 bottle order ($37.95 retail)

I need a new superlative. Awesome. The word that comes to mind is harmony – red and black fruits, dark and bright character, sweet fruit and mineral. The red raspberry top note and black currant bottom end makes this irresistible now; the fine tannins keep adding harmony and aging potential. – Marcus

The berry size in this vineyard was small which resulted in darker, more concentrated and tannic wines so the winemaker reduced the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon down to 56%. The other wines in the blend are Cabernet Franc 22% and Merlot 22%. Ciel du Cheval is easily one of the top vineyards in the Pacific Northwest for Bordeaux varietals. – the winery

at right, the Larsen family, owners of Soos Creek Wine Cellars

Fidelitas Wines

Fidelitas’ Charlie Hoppes makes big red blends from some of Washington State’s best fruit. HIs best wines are scarce and sell out quickly. We’ve had a passion for Charlie’s wines since his first vintage in 2000.

240 cases produced
Fidelitas Red Mountain Red 2008
$47.20 in any 12 bottle order($49.95 retail)

Wine Spectator – 94 points: Supple, generous and relatively light on its feet, dancing with red berry, watermelon and rhubarb flavors, remaining ripe and focused through the long, deftly balanced finish. This has wonderful intensity and grace. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2018. 241 cases made. – H.S.

Garnet in color, this red blend showcases the bright fruit and spice that the region is known for. Red currant, ripe strawberry, cardamom and vanilla bean create an aroma profile with just a hint of eucalyptus. The juicy palate is layered with cranberry, bing cherry and a touch of white pepper, all set in to a full-bodied wine with soft tannins and a smooth, well-balanced finish. Drink now through 2018. – the winery

The Northwest’s Best Big Reds Club

Avalon’s Northwest Big Reds Club features hard to get, limited production, highly rated red wines from Washington and Oregon, from wineries including Owen Roe, Abeja, Mark Ryan, Buty, Reynvaan, Andrew Will, and Woodward Canyon. We’ve sent Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate’s highly rated reds numerous times over the years.

Highly-rated and rising-star wineries alike seek out Avalon and offer us their wines. Wine Club members benefit from our access to special, limited bottlings. 15% off all wine reorders.

April 2012 Club Selections
Soos Creek Champoux 2009 Retail $38 Club $32.25
Baer Arctos 2009 Retail $45 Club $39.90

Thanks for supporting Avalon Wine!

P.S. Don’t forget about our new Build a Case program. Buy a few bottles now, a few bottles later and when you hit 12 bottles, we’ll apply the 10% discount to your full order. Simply select “Build a Case” in your shipping preferences or let me know you’d like to build a case – it’s that easy.

2010 Evesham Wood – VOTC

Jean Yates — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:24:57 +0000

“2010 is a VOTC -
Vintage of the Century”
- Erin Nuccio, Evesham Wood

Erin Nuccio, owner and winemaker of Evesham Wood, thinks 2010 is a vintage of the century. Wait – better than 2008?! Well, they’ll age as long but they’re also a lot more approachable right now. You can open these and taste them over the course of a week – they stay fresh and delicious. Taste his new releases and I think you’ll agree.

Erin describes the 2010 vintage: “As soon as the wines were in the barrel I knew we had fantastic wines. Very concentrated and what Evesham is all about. Complex, balanced, really exciting with a lot of age-ability. 2010 will go down as a top vintage.”

at right above, Marcus, Andy and Erin taste the new wines

Evesham Wood “La Grive Bleue” 2010
$24.15 in any 12 bottle order ($27.95 retail)

Rose petals and violets, fresh, with a rich, full texture. Pure bright raspberry and floral notes fill the flavor, and the juicy finish has a touch of wood spice, cinnamon and violets. Cellar for 3-10 years. La Grive Bleue is a small, 18 year-old section of Evesham’s estate vineyard. It is organically certified.

Evesham Wood Eola-Amity Hills 2010
$23.35 in any 12 bottle order ($25.95 retail)

There are luscious layers to this wine. Red cherry fruit, spicy sweet smoke, toasted marshmallow, and herbs fill the nose. It is a very fruit driven wine with dominant cherry, raspberry and blackberry forming a nice complexity – layers of flavors on top of each other. You can sense the separate components clearly. In the finish, hints of asian spices – cinnamon, clove, and warm spices join the cherry and sweet oak. Age from 3-7 years and decant before drinking.

This is a “reserve” bottling, made from the best eight barrels of Hidden Rocks Vineyard and the best eight barrels from Eola Springs Vineyard.

Blind Friday – A Pinot Pairing Party

Leslie Melnyk — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:02:47 +0000

We’re starting a new tradition at Avalon – “Blind Friday.”

If you want to turn a small dinner party into a medium sized one, host a blind tasting.

The event was a huge success. I could tell because we started out with three judges, but as soon as friends smelled what was cooking we ended up with 9 judges!

I will be having another “Blind Friday” soon!

I encourage everyone to try a party like this – guests have fun eating, laughing, and comparing the mystery wines. I made sure that nobody but myself knew which wine was in which bag, and some of the guests didn’t even know which wines were on the table.

The meal we made was a variation of something a fan submitted. We followed the ribs recipe closely and then served with blanched asparagus and fried polenta cakes.

The Judging

The wines we chose were

Belle Pente 2009 (wine#1)

Sharecropper 2010 (wine#2)

Westrey 2009 (wine#3)

The three initial judges tasted all the wines with clean palates to see which one we thought would win. We wanted to see if our predictions were correct –And they were NOT. We predicted that with this meal we would like the Westrey best, the Belle Pente second, and that the lighter Sharecropper would take third place. Nope.

Of course there were many opinions as everyone has a different palate and we had 9 judges with varying wine experience, but we went with popular vote. 6/9 judges agreed on the following verdict.

THE RESULTS:

First Place: Belle Pente 2009

Second Place: Sharecropper 2010

Third Place: Westrey 2009

For People Who Actually Like To Drink Wine

Marcus Looze — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:27:41 +0000

“2010 is a great vintage for people who actually like to drink wine.”
- Marcus Goodfellow, Matello winemaker

That makes perfect sense to me, because I’m one of those people. I’m betting you are too.

So I’ve picked three value Oregon Pinots that are quintessential 2010 – they are for people who actually like to drink wine. They’re fresh and vibrant, easy to drink on their own or with dinner, and lower alcohol without sacrificing ripe flavor. I’m ready to drink some Pinot!

Matello Lazarus Pinot noir 2010
$19.75 in any 12 bottle order ($21.95 retail)
I taste a ton of Oregon Pinot and in my opinion, this is the best value Oregon Pinot on the market right now. There is so much packed into this wine: beautifully vivid flavors, surprising density and persistence, perfect balance. Seriously, if this is Matello’s Willamette Valley blend, his 2010 reserves must be scary! Back up the truck and load up. – Marcus

at right above, Marcus Goodfellow

Ken Wright Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot noir 2010
$23.36 in any 12 bottle order ($25.95 retail)
Lush and energetic, Ken Wright’s value blend delivers heaping scoops of fresh crushed berries. It’s really a “friendly” Pinot, encouraging you to get to know it. Most of the famous vineyard’s Ken works with are blended in this bottle, for half the price of his single-vineyard Pinots. – Marcus

Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot noir 2010
$18.86 in any 12 bottle order ($20.95 retail)
Ah how I love re-tasting a wine. The 2010 Haden Fig Pinot noir is drinking fantastically well – it has really evolved and opened since it was released. Highly recommended. It’s beautiful red fruit is round and creamy, with a mouthwatering finish. A rosemary ribbon carries through the wine, accenting the sweet cherries that resonate. – Marcus