91 • 2005 Holloran Le Pavillon Vineyard Pinot Noir, $42
Dundee Hills, Oregon
This pinot noir is made from fruit grown at Le Pavillon, a premier vineyard in the Dundee Hills.
Taste A concentrated, well-balanced, light pinot.
Sip tip Stored properly, this wine will improve in the bottle for several years.
Cellar life 5+
92 • 2005 Brian Carter Cellars Tuttorosso Sangiovese–Cabernet Sauvignon–Syrah, $30
Yakima Valley, Oregon
Washington’s own version of a super Tuscan—a high-quality Tuscan wine made outside of sanctioned blending traditions—this highly balanced crowd-pleaser shows off Brian Carter’s considerable talents.
Taste Bing cherry flavors; high acidity.
Sip tip If it has a tomato-based sauce, it’ll marry well with this wine.
Cellar life 5+
93 • 2006 Spangler Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $48
Umpqua Valley, Oregon
Former Chicago commodities trader Pat Spangler harvested the fruit for this wine from an old, deep-rooted, nonirrigated vineyard.
Taste Concentrated; plush, ripe, and long.
Sip tip It’s a wine that tastes of luxury made by an erstwhile money man: Keep it in the cellar until your next windfall.
Cellar life 10+
94 • 2007 Ponzi Vineyards Arneis, $20
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Arneis grapes are grown almost exclusively in Piedmont, Italy, but this bottle suggests Willamette Valley may become its home away from home.
Taste Multiple layers of intense almond flavors; extended palate persistence.
Sip tip It’s a fun gift for Italophile pals and a delectable addition to an Italian-themed dinner.
Cellar life 0
95 • 2006 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir, $20
Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
Most of this wine’s fruit from comes from Temperance Hill, an Eola Hills winery renowned for its excellent terroir.
Taste Red fruit flavors; lots of complexity for the price.
Sip tip Pack it in the picnic basket you bring to the opening concert at next year’s Olympic Music Festival.
Cellar life 5+
96 • 2005 Hudson Shah Viognier, $37
Rattlesnake Hills, Washington
Employed by Woodinville-based Woodhouse Family Cellars, winemaker Tom Campbell makes three whites under the Hudson Shah label, including this rich-textured viognier.
Taste Flavors of ripe apricots marinated in oak-vanilla-infused oils; a varietally correct viscous texture.
Sip tip A glazed chicken will stand up and cluck when you taste it alongside the oaky flavors of this sassy white wine.
Cellar life 0
97 • 2006 St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, $39
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Mark Vlossak, the son of a serious wine enthusiast and a French cuisine fanatic, makes bottles that really shine alongside a fine meal. This open, forward pinot will taste delectable alongside all kinds of autumnal bounty.
Taste Excellent balance, good length.
Sip tip Bring out this open, forward wine to break the ice at casual get-togethers.
Cellar life 5+
98 • 2006 Lachini Family Estate Pinot Noir, $45
Chehalem Mountains, Oregon
This estate pinot noir from the Lachini Family may be a little too fruity for serious collectors, but it sure is delicious.
Taste Delicate red fruit flavors wrapped in mouth-filling textures.
Sip tip A kick back and hang out kind of wine that’s also a treat, it’s perfect for rewarding friends after they help paint the kitchen or clean out the garage.
Cellar life 5+
99 • 2007 Ponzi Pinot Gris, $18
Willamette Valley, Oregon
New York Times wine writer Eric Asimov calls Oregon pinot gris “one of the least-talked-about, best-value wines.” One swallow of this gris and you’ll agree.
Taste Spicy, complex pear-apple flavors.
Sip tip To really taste those flavors, let the wine sit in the glass for at least 15 minutes before drinking.
Cellar life 0
100 • 2003 DiStefano Syrah R, $25
Columbia Valley, Washington
Like some of our favorite Northwesterners, this wine manages to be simultaneously rustic and elegant.
Taste Good palate persistence.
Sip tip Try it with grilled lamb chops and sautéed Swiss chard—in five years.
Cellar life 5+
Published: September 2008
