Oregon in the Spotlight

The finest of 2019 and new 2021s

Up to 98 Points - All In Stock

“Ethereal” wines of “Tremendous purity”

from the Willamette Valley!

Wine grapes were first planted in the Oregon Territory in 1847. Back then it was likely Zinfandel, Riesling and other grapes being grown in places like the Rogue Valley in the southern part of the state. After Prohibition it took a few years for the industry to recover, and in 1961 a small amount of Pinot Noir was planted in the Umpqua Valley, which is the middle part of the state between the Cascade Mountains and the coast range. Later in the 60s Pinot Noir was being planted in the Willamette Valley, and in 1966 David Lett planted Pinot Noir in the hills outside of Dundee, the Eyrie Vineyard. But by 1970 there was only about 35 acres under vine in the state.

The growth in Oregon has been exponential, with the cooler climate of the Willamette driving the planting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. By 2015, Oregon had 702 wineries and 1052 vineyards with 28,034 acres under vine. Lots of international recognition has been coming out lately, and the great vintages of 2019 and 2021 are showing their stuff. (We don’t talk about the wildfires of 2020!)

“A cool, wet season, the best 2019s are delicate, ethereal and highly perfumed…Early releases from the 2021 vintage are highly promising so far and a much-needed respite from the challenges of 2020. Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are concentrated yet elegantly structured, exhibiting tremendous purity and expression of place, resulting from an even, idyllic season. Some of the 2021s require plenty of air to open, and their inherent power suggest the wines will be worthy of moderate to extended cellaring.”-Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate

A few highlights that are now In Stock:

2019 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Jerusalem Hill Vineyard

$124.89 (750ml) In Stock- Buy Now

98 WA

The 2019 Pinot Noir Jerusalem Hill Vineyard is particularly fragrant and expressive this vintage. It has a medium ruby color and is loaded with complex notes of aniseed, amaro and juniper that complement a core of pomegranate and rhubarb. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing and spicy, with layer after layer of concentrated fruit, a seamless texture and very long finish streaked with lavender.-Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate

2021 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir

$37.89 (750ML) In Stock- Buy Now

97 IWR

Notes of wild huckleberry, perfumed notes, toasted anise, flowers, spiced red plum, and a hint of tangerine zest combine beautifully on the tongue. Delivering perfect balance, mouthwatering acidity and rounded tannins, this will be a fun wine to watch of the next ten years to see how it evolves with age. Highly recommended.-International Wine Report

2019 Tan Fruit Chardonnay Vojtilla Vineyard

$59.99 (750ml) In Stock- Buy Now

97 WA

Vojtilla is a small, four-acre vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains that sits at around 500 to 600 feet in elevation and, says Jim Maresh, is influenced by the nearby Willamette River. Harvested in October this vintage, the 2019 Chardonnay Vojtilla Vineyard comes from Dijon clone vines planted in 1991, and it was matured in about 25% new Damy barrels. It has a stunning perfume of quince paste and mushrooms, pastry and flowers, and the palate is satiny, plush and pure, with a seamless tangy streak and long, powerful finish. -Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate

2019 Tan Fruit Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard

$59.99 (750ml) In Stock- Buy Now

97 WA

The 2019 Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard comes from Dijon clones planted in 1991, and it was matured in about 35% new oak. This vintage is pure and tensile, with scents of tarragon and fragrant herbs, beeswax and almonds, with plush white peach fruit. The palate combines intense ripe fruit with a spine of tangy, tense acidity, and it finishes with tremendous length. Allow it another 3-5 years in bottle.

Tan Fruit is a brand-new project from Jim Maresh, proprietor of his family winery, Arterberry Maresh, and the winemaker behind some of the most exciting Chardonnays in the Willamette Valley today. Much of the fruit for the Arterberry Maresh wines are sourced from older estate vines, and very few cases are made each year. In 2019, Maresh founded Tan Fruit, for which he will purchase fruit. "I hear about fruit for sale that I'd love to play with," he explains. "It doesn't work for Arterberry, but for Tan Fruit, there are no rules." He made six cuvées this initial vintage, and unsurprisingly, they are some of the best Chardonnays of 2019. The first set of Tan Fruit wines will be released sometime in 2022, and I hope to be first to sign up for this mailing list!--Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate

Check out the latest arrivals from Oregon