Fresh Press for Dec. 5, 2011

Dec. 5, 2011

FRESHPRESS

Is Riesling “the” grape for Washington, the variety the state will ultimately hang its hat on?

Hard to say, but our region is making some of the best around.

(Photo courtesy of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)

Fresh Press is a weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest magazine. In each edition, we review recently released wines from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho. Feel free to forward to your wine-loving friends and family. For more information on our tasting methods and review process, please go to the last page.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 28 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS Dec. 5, 2011

Spotlight: Riesling

Glasses of Riesling are lined up for tasting during a seminar at the Riesling Rendezvous at Chateau Ste. Michelle. (Photo courtesy of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)

The Washington wine industry made headlines for much of its modern-day history with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Perhaps its future lies with Riesling.

International wine critic Dan Berger will gladly make that argument. Here’s an excerpt from his column in the upcoming Winter issue of Wine Press Northwest, which goes out to subscribers later this week: “ ... for me, the greatest achievement of Washington as a wine-producing state thus far has been the astonishing success across the board of Riesling,” he wrote.

Indeed, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates seems properly positioned not just in the United States but also around the globe as the world’s largest producer of Riesling. Its annual production tops 1 million cases — most of it priced at $10 or less.

The grape variety, which is native to Germany, ranks among the most winterhardy in the world of wine. And while the vines thrive throughout the Columbia Valley, they seem particularly well suited to cooler sites and the higher elevations of the Yakima Valley, Ancient Lakes and Lake Chelan.

Conditions are more than favorable for Riesling in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley and Idaho’s Snake River Valley, yet there are number of delicious Rieslings made in Oregon, too. In fact, the state routinely produces at least one that earns a Platinum in Wine

Press Northwest’s year-end “Best of the Best” competition.

Riesling can be crafted in a variety of styles, and as long as there’s enough acidity, the food-pairing possibilities range from a cheese-and-fruit plate to green salad to spicy Asian fare and chicken or pasta dishes. It’s deserving of a spot on the table during holiday festivities, and there’s the hot tub, too.

Its adaptability might be unsurpassed by any other grape.

Even when clusters of Riesling grapes become infected with botrytis cinerea, aka “noble rot,” the wine can be turned into some of the — Dan Berger world’s most prized dessert wines — including ice wine.

And here are two other things to consider. Rieslings tend to be lower in alcohol and priced below $15. Both factors allow for more enjoyment.

Each of the following wines was tasted in just the past month, which means these are just a few of the many Northwest-built Rieslings worthy of discussion.

The greatest achievement of Washington as a wineproducing state thus far has been the astonishing success across the board of Riesling.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 28 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS Dec. 5, 2011

Spotlight: Riesling Outstanding! Best Buy! AntoLin Cellars 2010 Estate Riesling, Yakima Valley, $14. Tony Haralson, a pharmacist in his hometown of Yakima, Wash., does it all at his new operation. In 2007, he bought a 4-acre block — called Glacier Cellars — in the Rattlesnake Hills near Hyatt Vineyard and planted nearly a quarter of it to Riesling in 2008. While his inaugural release of Riesling stems from third leaf, it’s amazingly complex from the beginning with aromas of fresh-cut papaya and pineapple, peach and apricot, Jolly Rancher green apple candy, honeysuckle and wet stone. The flavors focus on crisp pear, Granny Smith apple, white peach, jasmine and lychee. While the residual sugar sits at 2%, a pinch of mint on the midpalate is the closest sensation to sweetness because of its wealth of acidity. Haralson, whose winemaking degree is from UC-Davis, plans to open a tasting room in downtown Yakima. (100 cases, 12.2% alc.)

Outstanding! Best Buy! Columbia Crest 2010 Two Vines Riesling, Washington, $8. One of the Northwest’s most widely available brands comes in a new package, but the wines remain true to form. Its hugely tropical nose gathers up passionfruit, papaya and lychee notes with whiffs of apple sauce, lavender, jasmine and petrol. Inside, it’s a tree of Granny Smith apple, Mandarin orange and cling peaches without the heavy syrup. The residual sugar of 3.4% will allow for pairings with a leafy salad that incorporates nuts and orange slices or serve with a nectarine cobbler.

(11.5% alc.)

Outstanding! Best Buy! Gone Fishin' 2010 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12. The Mercer Estates family tree has roots in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills dating to 1886, and this second label pays tribute to their four generations of ranching and farming.

These grapes come from their Spring Creek Vineyard, planted with the Geisenheim 239 clone. There are enticing aromas of pineapple, honeydew melon, rose petal and diesel. Flavors of a caramel-coated Golden Delicious apple evolve from cotton candy then to juicy pineapple and white peach. It shows balance act with the residual sugar (1.8%). (1,704 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Outstanding! Best Buy! Pacific Rim Winery 2010 Riesling made with Organic Grapes, Columbia Valley, $14. Randall Grahm’s fingerprints remain, despite the winery’s sale earlier this year to the New York-based Mariana family — whose European portfolio includes Banfi Vintners. The drive to be as wholesome as natural starts in the vineyards where sheep serve as weed control and continues through fermentation using native yeast. Aromas begin with a drive past a citrus grove, followed by apple pie notes, honeysuckle, President Lincoln rose, flannel and a scrape of minerality. On the attack, it’s a stylish blend of home-canned pear and pineapple flavors. It’s a

crowd-pleaser at 3.6% residual sugar, yet there’s plenty of acidity built in to make for a dry finish.

(12,500 cases, 10.5% alc.)

Excellent. Best Buy! Mercer Estates 2009 Riesling, Yakima Valley, $14. Brooks and Spring Creek vineyards — part of Hogue Ranches — give winemaker David Forsyth plenty of tools to work with.

There’s a greeting of yellow grapefruit, dusty white peach, Thompson seedless grape, lime and apple aromas. The drink brings more grapefruit, backed by minerality and lime zest, and finished with apple peel, dried apricot and fresh caramel. Its touch of spritzy acidity takes care of the residual sugar (1.3%). (1,595 cases, 12.6% alc.)

Outstanding! Best Buy! StoneCap Wines 2010 Estate Riesling, Columbia Valley, $8. In many instances, a Riesling at this price point will lean toward off-dry, but the Monson Family Estate winemaking team of Kendall Mix and Justin Michaud dialed this in below 1% residual sugar. It’s a fragrant drink with aromas that hint at sweet lemon, pink grapefruit, white peach, orange, rosewater, minerality and geranium. Between the lips it’s loaded with ripe, not sweet, fruit akin to Granny Smith apple, pink grapefruit and lemons. Flecks of minerality poke out in the finish. (1,526 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Outstanding! Best Buy! Willamette Valley Vineyards 2010 Riesling, Willamette Valley, $14.

Oregon’s Indian summer conditions allowed winemaker Forrest Klaffke to hang this crop until Nov. 2 in some cases, and he brought the grapes in between 17 and 19 brix. Aromas hint at lime peel, starfruit, gooseberry, white peach and river rock, but the drink is far from dry. There’s an explosion of tropical flavors akin to passionfruit, guava and mango with Texas pink grapefruit. Its minerality and almost spritzy acidity more than balances the residual sugar (5%), leading to a finish of lychee, rosewater and lemon chiffon pie. Suggested pairings range from chicken in a brown mushroom sauce to pineapple upside-down cake. (15,133 cases, 10% alc.)

Outstanding! Best Buy! Willow Crest Winery 2010 Estate Riesling, Yakima Valley, $10. Prosser winemaker David Minick first planted the family vineyard in the Roza Hills nearly 30 years ago, and he continues to produce stunning whites at approachable prices — thanks in part to his partnership with Precept Wine. The latest example is this fruit cocktailish drink that’s loaded with pineapple, Mandarin orange, spearmint and petrol aromas. It’s luscious between the lips with Fuji apple, pineapple and peaches, but there’s more than enough tangelo and lime acidity to keep it focused amid the residual sugar (4%). In the finish are hints of minerality and lime shortbread cookies. (2,600 cases, 9.5% alc.)

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 28 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS Dec. 5, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted Pinot Noir Recommended. Willamette Valley Vineyards 2009 Hannah Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $45. This vineyard in Oregon’s Coastal Range foothills is adjacent to the Tualatin Estate block near Forest Grove. The wine’s well-rounded, lighter structure carries a pleasant theme of pie cherry, vanilla, mint leaf, chocolate and cedar. Mild tannins come across as graphite in the finish. (294 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Merlot Excellent. Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2008 Pheasant Vineyard Merlot, Wahluke Slope, $16.

Several family-owned wineries, include Mike Conway’s in Spokane, are helping to raise the profile of this vineyard just east of Mattawa, Wash.

Welcoming aromas of Chukar Cherry, red currant, mint and malted milk balls translate deliciously between the lips. While it’s not an opulent wine, its medium body shows pleasing balance and lingering flavors of blackberry and blueberry. And the low level of alcohol should allow for aging. (842 cases, 12.5% alc.)

Excellent. Mannina Cellars 2009 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $24. Owner/

winemaker Don Redman dipped into one of the Walla Walla Valley's most celebrated vineyards for the luscious Merlot. Pepper Bridge was first planted in 1991 and has since expanded from its original 10 acres to 170, and the fruit is cherished by winemakers able to obtain it. This Merlot reveals aromas of black currants, blueberries, dark chocolate and toast. On the palate, it shows off blue and black fruit, chocolate and freshly brewed espresso. Its ample acidity expertly backs up all the fruit, and the tannins merely accompany the plush flavors. (168 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Sangiovese Recommended. Best Buy! Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2009 Sangiovese, Washington, $11. Fox Vineyards on the Wahluke Slope provided the fruit for this brightly textured wine. Three months in oak treatment produced a nose of toast, black cherries, red currant, celery seed and potting soil. The barrel influences also come through on the palate, which leads with blackberry, red currants and dried cherry flavors. Its bright acidity and green olive finish make this a perfect wine to pair with puttanesca. (896 cases, 12.5% alc.)

Wine ratings All wines reviewed here are tasted blind after being submitted by producers. They are rated Outstanding, Excellent and Recommended by a tasting panel.

Outstanding: These wines have superior characteristics and should be highly sought after.

Excellent: Top-notch wines with particularly high qualities.

Recommended: Delicious, well-made wines with true varietal characteristics.

Best Buy: A wine that is $15 or less.

Priced are suggested retail and should be used as guidelines. Prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 28 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS Dec. 5, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted Excellent. Mannina Cellars 2009 Seven Hills Vineyard Sangiovese, Walla Walla Valley, $22.

Seven Hills is one of the Northwest's most acclaimed vineyards. It says something when it is owned by the likes of Pepper Bridge, Leonetti and L'Ecole. This small Walla Walla producer uses its grapes to great advantage in this delicious Sangiovese. It opens with aromas that reminded us of a cherry pie that had just come out of the oven, as well as plums, cranberries and Belgian chocolate. On the palate, this wine is tightly integrated, with flavors of black licorice, red currants, cola, chocolate and a touch of oak. The acidity washes past the tannins, making this pretty easy to like. (256 cases, 13.9% alc.)

Zinfandel Excellent. Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2008 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Monarch Zinfandel, Horse Heaven Hills, $25. Spokane winemaker Mike Conway’s single-vineyard bottling from this emerging vineyard shows restraint that is not often seen in California Zins. The nose leans toward blackberry, cherry tomato and black pepper notes. Hints of strawberry freezer jam trickle out on the palate, accompanied by refreshing pomegranate acidity and anise. Those craving sweet and pruny Zinfandels should look elsewhere. (105 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Petite Sirah Excellent. Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2008 Monarch Petite Sirah, Wahluke Slope, $30. Next year will be the 30th anniversary of this Spokane winery, and here is the debut of its reserve tier, designated on the label with a painting by Spokane artist Edward Gilmore.

Here is a fitting example, starting with its dense nose of figs, dates and plums, backed by malted milk balls and cracked black pepper. The flavors feature black currant, Van cherry and bittersweet chocolate. And while the tannins are taut, they are not burdensome as the finish is reminiscent of fine espresso grounds.

(129 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Red blends Excellent. Cathedral Ridge Winery 2010 Necessity Red, Columbia Valley, $26. Thomas Jefferson, arguably the Untied States’ most passionate wine loving President, was quoted as saying, “Good wine is a necessity of life.” His comment is the inspiration for this proprietary blend, which this year combines Merlot with Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. The nose is youthful and exuberant, filling the nostrils with hints of blueberry, blackberry, dark cherry, clove, allspice and Cragmont grape soda. Its fruit-forward approach of appealing blackberry, blueberry and zingy raspberry — along with reduced tannin — makes this a

candidate for those transitioning from white to red wine. (274 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Outstanding! Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Artist Series Meritage, Columbia Valley, $55. The 2007 version of this wine earned a unanimous Double Platinum in our 12th annual Platinum Judging (results in the upcoming issue of Wine Press Northwest), and winemaker Bob Bertheau has nailed it again with this wine. He expertly blended Cabernet Sauvignon (51%), Merlot (36%), Cabernet Franc (6%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot from three of his favorite vineyards, Canoe Ridge, Cold Creek and Indian Wells. The result is a wine with dense aromas of black currants, cherries, boysenberries, black licorice, flannel and oregano. On the palate, the approach is easy with flavors of red currants, Van cherries, black tea, dark chocolate, cola and blackberries. This is a perfectly balanced and harmonious wine that features the artistry of Cara Barer. (2,100 cases, 14.5% alc.)

Outstanding! Convergence Zone Cellars 2009 Storm Front, Red Mountain, $28. This young winery in Woodinville’s “Warehouse district” has come out with a red blend that will rock you to your socks.

Using grapes from four vineyards on Red Mountain, this leads with Merlot (39%), Cabernet Sauvignon (26%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Malbec. It opens with stunning aromas of vanilla, cherries, black and red currants, cranberries, slate and milk chocolate.

On the palate, this wine never quits, leading with flavors of cherries, chocolate and something that reminded us of shredded wheat. It's backed with bright acidity and succulent tannins. (120 cases, 14.6% alc.)

Outstanding! Hightower Cellars 2009 Out of Line Red, Red Mountain, $25. If you're driving up Sunset Road on Washington’s Red Mountain, head to the end of the road, turn left and look for this small, highend producer run by some of the nicest folks in the industry. This red blend is named for the Hightowers’ estate vineyard, not because they didn’t get the rows straight but because they are oriented 11 degrees off of a north-south line to take advantage of sun exposure on the state’s warmest wine region. This is a blend of Merlot (42%), Cabernet Sauvignon (34%), Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot (8% each) for a true Bordeaux-style blend. It opens with aromas of mint, cedar, chocolate, coffee and black fruit compote, followed by flavors of black cherry cola, blackberries and chocolate. It’s an approachable, well-managed wine that is ready to drink. (312 cases, 14.3% alc.)

Recommended. Latah Creek Wine Cellars NV Monarch Red, Washington, $20. A bold and savory

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 28 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS Dec. 5, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Syrah (45%) and Zinfandel, its offers notes of boysenberry, Marionberry, chocolate, licorice, Wheat Thins and cedar. (1,106 cases, 13.5% alc.)

reveals flavors of honey, lemon oil, pineapples, apricots and butter that lead to a kick of oak and nice breadth of acidity on the finish. (180 cases, 13.3% alc.)

Excellent. Mannina Cellars 2009 Cali, Walla Walla Valley, $18. No, this is not a nod to that winemaking state to the south of Oregon. Rather, it's a red blend that honors winemaker Don Redman's grandmother with her family name. It includes Cabernet Sauvignon (51%), Merlot (42%) and Sangiovese from four top Walla Walla Valley vineyards. It opens with luscious aromas of oak, cassis, Marionberries, black tea and dark chocolate, followed by flavors of cherries, black olives and blueberries. It's designed to be enjoyed in its youth, and that's exactly what we should do with this easy-drinking red. (1,525 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Pinot Blanc

Excellent. Revelry Vintners 2009 The Reveler, Columbia Valley, $20. Owner/winemaker Jared Burns grew up in a wine-loving household, and after a few years in the sporting goods manufacturing business, he returned to his first love by launching this Walla Walla winery in 2006. This red blend reveals aromas of dark chocolate, mint, cherries, black olives, Whoppers and a whiff of smoke. On the palate, it offers flavors of cherries, black licorice and Marionberries, all married together with nice acidity and ample tannins. (2,200 cases, 13.9% alc.)

Chardonnay Recommended. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars 2010 Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $18. One of Washington’s top sites for Chardonnay allowed Spokane winemaker Kristina Mielke van Loben Sels to create a complex oakinfluenced white that features an abundance of foodfriendly acidity. Its floral nose hints at apple blossom and alyssum, backed by fresh-cut pineapple, fruit cocktail, dried apricot and just a bit of toasted oak.

The 12 months of barrel aging comes through on the palate, which opens with butterscotch before a wave of lemony acidity and crisp Asian pear flavors dominate. There’s a hint of caramel and a sheen of lemon oil in the finish. Enjoy with crab, pumpkin bisque or scallops in a beurre blanc. (325 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Excellent. Open Road Wine Co. 2010 Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope, $18. Sara and George Papanikolaou launched this winery in Bothell, Wash., in 2007. This is a delicious example of Chardonnay that was barrel fermented and spent nine months sur lie, and the Papanikolaous blended in 7% Viognier to add depth and complexity. It opens with aromas that reminded us of lemon custard, butterscotch, apple and a bowl of hominy on a cold winter morning. On the palate, it

Recommended. Erath Winery 2010 Quail Run Pinot Blanc, Southern Oregon, $22. Winemaker Gary Horner heads to a high-altitude vineyard for this rare (for Erath) wine using Southern Oregon grapes. It opens with classic aromas of lemons, pears and bananas, followed by hints of lightly toasted almonds and orchard fruit. On the palate, this reveals flavors of lemon oil, Asian pears and Granny Smith apples. Its ample acidity provides for a lively wine that will pair beautifully with shellfish, especially crab, scallops or mussels. (225 cases, 13% alc.)

Recommended. Erath Winery 2010 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley, $14. Erath, one of Oregon's oldest producers, doesn't make a Chardonnay. But winemaker Gary Horner does enjoy Pinot Blanc, a grape that is inexplicably underappreciated despite its ability to be crafted into delicious wine. This Pinot Blanc comes from two vineyards and was harvested in mid-October during the troublesome 2010 vintage.

This opens with enchanting aromas of jasmine blossoms, spearmint and lemon zest, followed by flavors of starfruit, lemons and Golden Delicious apples. Its refreshing acidity washes over the palate from first sip through the lengthy finish. We would pair this with pasta tossed with chicken and asparagus in a light white sauce. (875 cases, 12.5% alc.)

Pinot Gris Outstanding! Best Buy! Airfield Estates 2010 Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley, $15. Winemaker Marcus Miller comes through again with this outrageously delicious Pinot Gris from young estate vines. This wine comes from the Miller family's Black Rock Vineyard, planted in 2007. It opens with aromas of Pink Lady apples, lemons, pineapples and spearmint.

It's a hedonistic wine on the palate, showing off flavors of fresh Bartlett pears, mint, lemons, pineapples, white peaches and jasmine blossoms.

The acidity is clean and refreshing, and a touch of residual sugar rounds out the palate. (589 cases, 13.5% alc.)

Recommended. Best Buy! Columbia Winery 2009 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley, $13. Pinot Gris is thought of as Oregon’s white grape, but in fact, Washington has ramped up production on this bright white wine in the past few years. It’s now No. 3 (behind Riesling and Chardonnay), and Washington crushes about as much as Oregon in a given year.

Columbia has been making Pinot Gris for many years,

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 28 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS Dec. 5, 2011

New releases we’ve tasted championed first by late winemaker David Lake. This opens with aromas of apple blossoms, pear butter, quince and oak, followed by succulent flavors of Asian pears, Golden Delicious apples, lime, white pepper, toasted hazelnuts and a touch of slate on the finish.

(10,300 cases, 13% alc.)

Outstanding! Elk Cove Vineyards 2010 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, $19. Through the years, winemaker Adam Campbell has been consistently great with this wine, earning “Outstanding” and “Excellent” ratings annually in our blind tastings. In the challenging 2010 vintage, he comes through again with one of the top Pinot Gris from Oregon. This opens with aromas of spearmint, lemon oil, starfruit, dried apricot and lime. It’s a big, fruity, delicious and expressive palate, with flavors of tangelos, Mandarin oranges, pears, peaches and grapefruits. There is a ton of acidity to balance the fruit and the hint of sweetness. (8,500 cases, 13% alc.

A weekly publication of Wine Press Northwest • Vol. 1, No. 28 • © 2011

FRESHPRESS Dec. 5, 2011

Northwest wine regions Multi-state appellations Columbia Valley: This multi-state appellation is 11 million acres in size and takes up a third of Washington.

Established in 1984.

Columbia Gorge: This multi-state appellation begins around the town of Lyle and heads west to Husum on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It was established in 2004.

Walla Walla Valley: Walla Walla Valley: This multi-state appellation is in the southeast corner of Washington and around Milton-Freewater, Ore. Established in 1984.

Snake River Valley: This is in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. It covers 8,263 square miles and was established in 2007.

Washington Yakima Valley: The Northwest’s oldest appellation (established in 1983) stretches past Wapato in the west to Benton City in the east and includes Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills and Snipes Mountain.

Red Mountain: Washington’s smallest appellation is a ridge in the eastern Yakima Valley. It is 4,040 acres in size.

Established in 2001.

Horse Heaven Hills: This large appellation — 570,000 acres — is south of the Yakima Valley and stretches to the Oregon border. It was established in 2005.

Wahluke Slope: Approved in early 2006, this huge landform north of the Yakima Valley is an 81,000-acre gravel bar created by the Ice Age Floods. It is one of the warmest regions in the entire Pacific Northwest. Established in 2006.

Rattlesnake Hills: This appellation is in the western Yakima Valley north of the towns of Zillah, Granger and Outlook. The appellation is 68,500 acres in size with about 1,300 acres of vineyards. It was established in 2006.

Puget Sound: This sprawling appellation is in Western Washington. It stretches from the Olympia area to the Canadian border north of Bellingham. It also sweeps through the San Juan Islands and to Port Angeles. Established in 1995.

Snipes Mountain: This is one of Washington’s oldest wine-growing regions. At 4,145 acres in size, it is the state’s second-smallest AVA. Grapes have been grown on Snipes Mountain and at the adjacent Harrison Hill (also part of the AVA) since 1914. This AVA is within the Yakima Valley appellation and was approved in 2009.

Lake Chelan: This area in north-central Washington is almost entirely within the Columbia Valley. It is a young area, with the oldest vines dating to 1998. About 250 acres are planted here. It was approved in 2009.

Ribbon Ridge: This is the Northwest’s smallest appellation at 3,350 acres. It is best known for its Pinot Noir and is within the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It was established in 2005.

Yamhill-Carlton: This is a horseshoe-shaped appellation that surrounds the towns of Yamhill and Carlton. It was established in 2005. The “District” was dropped in 2011.

Chehalem Mountains: This is the largest within the Willamette Valley. This 62,100-acre appellation is northeast of the Dundee Hills. It was established in 2006.

Dundee Hills: Many of Oregon’s pioneer wineries are in the Dundee Hills within Oregon’s Yamhill County. The appellation is 6,490 acres in size. It was established in 2005.

Eola-Amity Hills: This important region stretches from the town of Amity in the north to the capital city of Salem in the southeast. It is 37,900 acres in size. It was established in 2006.

McMinnville: The hills south and west of the Yamhill County city of McMinnville are more than 40,000 acres in size.

It was established in 2005.

Umpqua Valley: This Southern Oregon appellation surrounds the city of Roseburg north of the Rogue Valley. It can produce Pinot Noir as well as warm-climate grapes. It was established in 1984.

Rogue Valley: The Northwest’s southern-most appellation surrounds the cities of Medford and Ashland, just north of the California border. It is known for its warm growing conditions. Established in 2001.

Applegate Valley: This small valley within the Rogue Valley is known for a multitude of microclimates that can result in wines of distinction and complexity. Established in 2004.

Southern Oregon: This AVA encompasses the Umpqua, Rogue and Applegate valleys and Red Hill Douglas County. It was established in 2005.

Red Hill Douglas County: This tiny appellation — just 5,500 acres — is within the Umpqua Valley. Fewer than 200 acres of wine grapes, primarily Pinot Noir, are grown here.

Established in 2005.

British Columbia

Okanagan Valley: In the province’s interior, this 100mile valley stretches from the border in Osoyoos to Salmon Arm in the north. Most wineries are near Oliver, Penticton and Kelowna. It was established in 1990.

Similkameen Valley: This warm valley is west of the southern Okanagan Valley. It was established in 1990.

Vancouver Island: This marine-influenced appellation is in the southwest part of the province. Established in 1990.

Fraser Valley: This farming area is in the Lower Mainland, south of Vancouver. Established in 1990.

Oregon Gulf Islands: This appellation includes approximately Willamette Valley: Oregon’s largest appellation stretches 100 islands spread out between Vancouver Island and the roughly from Portland to Eugene. Established in 1984. southern mainland. Established in 2005.

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About us Wine Press Northwest is a quarterly consumer magazine that focuses on the wine regions of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho.

Annual subscriptions are $20. Click to subscribe.

Editor-in-chief: Andy Perdue editor@winepressnw.com Managing editor: Eric Degerman edegerman@winepressnw.com Advertising inquiries: Parker Hodge phodge@tricityherald.com © 2011

Tasting methods Recent Releases are evaluated under strict conditions to ensure objectivity. Northwest wineries submit wines to Wine Press Northwest for evaluation by Wine Press Northwest’s tasting panel. After wines are received, they are stored for at least two weeks and a third party serves them “blind,” meaning the tasting panelists do not know the producer. In addition, the panelists are served glasses of wine and are not able to view the bottles or their shapes prior to tasting. Wines are stored in temperature-controlled conditions, allowing them to be served at perfect cellar temperatures.

Price is not a consideration in these evaluations, nor is a winery’s advertising activity with Wine Press Northwest, as the magazine’s editorial/wine evaluation activities and advertising/ marketing efforts are kept strictly separate.

The panel has a combination of technical and consumer palates. If at least three of the four panelists consider a wine technically sound and commercially acceptable, it is included here as “Recommended.” The panel may also vote the wine as “Excellent” or “Outstanding,” our top rating. Wines considered

unacceptable by the panel are rejected and not included.

Reviews are grouped by variety or style and listed alphabetically by winery. Prices listed are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

To ensure we maintain an international perspective, our tasting panelists judge thousands of wines annually at various competitions, including: Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition, Riverside International Wine Competition, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Indy International Wine Competition, Virginia Governor’s Cup, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Grand Harvest Awards, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru, Washington State Wine Competition, Seattle Wine Awards, Northwest Wine Summit, British Columbia Wine Awards, New York Wine and Grape Foundation Competition, Tri-Cities Wine Festival, Capital Food & Wine Fest, North Central Washington Wine Awards and Idaho Wine Competition.

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