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Wine

Color

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2021

Irvine & Roberts Vineyards

Convergence Pinot Noir

A touch more elegant and delicate, this Pinot Noir reveals savory notes of black tea and bergamot, with Earl Grey–like tannins framing the medium-bodied palate. Fabulous orange peel nuances carry through, supported by a long, spicy finish that highlights the character of the clone. Refined and beautifully detailed. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Red

2021

Maison Jussiaume

Oeil de Perdrix

Compelling and structured, this is a fabulous sparkling rosé made in the Méthode Champenoise style. It offers vibrant apple, pear, and cherry fruit alongside cherry pit, a hint of sea spray, and a touch of incense. The frothy, focused mousse leads to a grippy finish where oyster shell minerality takes center stage.

Rosé

2021

Padigan

Estate Reserve Tempranillo

Such an intriguing wine that really pulls you into the glass with its smoked paprika and cardmom notes, and walnut husk nuances with roasted coffee beans character. Medim bodied with dark loamy earth and dried currant and fig paste framed by soaring, powerful tannins that build on the bone dry finish.

Red

2021

Peter William

Extravagance Proprietary Reserve Red

The 2021 Extravagance almost belies its name—this wine is elegant and focused, with bold, ripe black currant fruit and toasty cedarwood. On the palate, suave tannins frame flavors of chocolate-covered black cherry, leading to a long, satisfying finish. Okay, maybe it is a bit extravagant in flavor—but with balanced alcohol at 13.7%, it’s easy to enjoy the whole bottle.

Red

2021

Peter Willliam

PWV Peter William Vineyard Les Candives Syrah Reserve

The Syrah grapes are destemmed, given 18 days of skin contact with daily punchdowns, then aged 21 months in 50% new French oak. Beautiful Syrah character lifts from the glass, drawing you in with perfumed rose petal and violet notes, along with a black-truffle, vanilla-scented charcuterie nuance that weaves through the dark-berry fruit and spice. The palate is supple and creamy, showing loamy earth and an ironstone mineral character. Powdery, refreshing tannins and layered brown spices carry the finish. Such an enticing Syrah. Sourced entirely from the hillside estate of Peter William Vineyard in the Rogue Valley — a small site planted since 2013 with roughly ten acres under vine.

Red

2021

Peter Willliam

PWV Peter William Vineyard Malbec Reserve

Fruit from Peter William Vineyard, entirely destemmed, with 19 days of skin contact and daily punchdowns, then aged 20 months in 50% new French oak. A gorgeous wine with pristine red-berry and cassis fruit, touches of tobacco, well-integrated cedar from the new wood, warm baking spices, and dusty mineral notes. The wine holds a rich, velvety center and finishes with enticing rose-petal perfume, slate-stone minerality, and a refreshing lift that’s so welcoming.

Red

2021

Plaisance Ranch

Vaquero Madris Red Wine Blnd

A full-throttle, bright, and effusive red blend with cranberry, raspberry, and cherry fruit interlaced with clove spice and orange peel. Medium-bodied on the palate, with grainy tannins forming a solid foundation for all that juicy fruit. The tannins build toward a drying finish marked by brown spices and cedarwood.

Red

2021

Remotion

Celestina Vineyard, Barbera

Partial whole cluster fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak. Red and blackberry fruit, dusty minerals, and dried cherry lift from the glass. Medium-to-full-bodied with dried figs, red floral notes, and supple tannins, creating a satiny palate expression. Pair with salads loaded with dried fruit or charcuterie-rich pizza.

Red

2021

Remotion

Raffinato Red Wine

This Sangiovese-led red blend delivers heady aromatics of red cherry and rose petal. On the palate, it offers lovely suppleness, with saline-mineral-laced tannins and notes of mocha, black cherry, and espresso bean. It shows good length, balanced tension, and a satisfying, pleasantly lingering finish.

Red

2021

Remotion

Swallow Hill Vineyard, Grenache

Farmed by Brian Gruber, the Grenache produces small berries with loose clusters, leading to excellent concentration in 2021. Aged 18 months in French Oak. Two barrels produced. Quite spicy on the nose, filling the senses with sagebrush, cinnamon, and black tea. Great fruit weight with a velvety texture, dark-berry fruit is rich and succulent, and the finish is long, earthy, and enticing.

Red

2021

Ryanrose

Grenache

The 2021 Grenache is in its perfect drinking window. The bright, ripe red berry fruit has mellowed, giving way to savory notes of tobacco, currant leaf, and currant fruit, layered with expressive bay laurel and juniper. Black tea–like tannins grip the palate, while the juicy currant fruit carries through to a medium-length finish, infused with savory nuance. This is the kind of wine you’ll want to pair with hard, salty cheeses or truffle-infused charcuterie. The Grenache was sourced from the Jackson Vineyard in the middle of the Rogue Valley AVA.

Red

2021

Schultz Glory Oaks

Majestic Tempranillo

Fragrant wild herbs and high-toned currant fruit mingle with brandied Morello cherries and a heady dose of candied rose petals. Medium-bodied, with fine-textured tannins and subtle nuances of sagebrush and bay laurel. Drink now with herb-crusted pork loin.

Red

2021

Schultz Glory Oaks

Rock Tempranillo

Planted on alluvial cobblestones and weathered granite in the shadows of the Siskiyou Mountains, these vines lie in the Applegate Valley—part of Southern Oregon’s larger Rogue Valley AVA. Sourced from the Glory Oaks Vineyard, this wine is native yeast fermented and medium-bodied, with a satiny texture. High-toned red berry fruit, vanilla, and cedarwood aromatics are balanced by savory notes of black olive, tobacco, and saddle leather on the palate.

Red

2021

Table Rock Vienyard

Estate Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is in its perfect drinking window, having evolved beyond bright red cherry fruit into more savory territory—think red currant, tobacco leaf, and black tea–like tannins. All of that builds on the medium-bodied palate, layered with crunchy currant fruit, espresso bean nuances, bay laurel, and sage, leading to a long, satisfying, smoky-savor finish. If you’re drawn to Pinot in its secondary and tertiary phase, this one’s for you. I highly recommend enjoying it over the course of a meal—ideally, a couple of bottles at a time—now through 2030.

Red

2021

Wanderlust Vineyard

Grenache

Wanderlust’s 2021 Grenache is a light- to medium-bodied red with a bright herbal pop, followed by red berry fruit and nutty spice on the palate. Velvety textures support a mineral-rich, slightly meaty finish.

Red

2022

Agathodaemon

Egan Vineyard Malbec

Sourced from the Egan Vineyard in the Rogue Valley, this Malbec is yet another compelling reason why the region should hang its hat on the variety. Dark berry fruit mingles on the nose with a wonderfully expressive mix of dried wild herbs—a panoply of sage, thyme, rosemary, fennel, and straw. These savory elements build on the medium-bodied palate, framed by rose-petal-scented tannins that are firm yet graceful, resolving into chocolaty nuances and saline-mineral tension. A juicy spine of acidity ties it all together. A lovely wine, and a natural match for smoked or braised meats.

Red

2022

Agathodaemon

Viognier

From the Egan Vineyard, this 2022 Viognier is a stunning wine, offering lifted aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine, salted Marcona almonds, and a burst of expressive lemon-lime citrus, poached apple, and pear. There’s impressive mid-palate weight and fruit density, all balanced by zippy acid tension.

White

2022

Bennu

Chardonnay

Expressive citrus and orchard-fruit notes lift out of the glass alongside tarragon, wild fennel, almond paste and a gentle touch of cedarwood spice. The palate is zesty and chalky-mineral, lingering with richer tones of lemon curd, grilled herbs and creamy caramel, yet the wine remains crisp, crunchy and beautifully balanced throughout.

Red

2022

Bennu

Pinot Noir

Cherry fruit, grilled herbs, leather and cocoa powder notes carry this medium-bodied, ‘no nonsense’ wine. Just as the label says, Sip, Savor, and chill and in fact, I’d serve this with a little chill on it while you serve up your favorite pizza or tacos. Great weeknight wine.

Red

2022

Bob Cabral Wines

Hyland Vineyard dry Riesling

Sourced from the Hyland Vineyard in Oregon. Native yeast, whole-cluster pressed, fermented, and aged sur lie in concrete. Malolactic conversion is inhibited. Aged eight months in concrete amphora, bottled unfined and unfiltered. Perfumed herbs recall Yellow Chartreuse, crushed dill, and even a touch of bacon fat, layered over a flinty mineral core and crushed sea salt. On the palate, silky and lush poached pear is balanced by mouth-puckering acidity and tension. Notes of oyster shell carry through the lengthy, savory-spiced finish. What a complex and thoroughly delicious wine. 125 cases produced, $60.

White

2022

DANCIN

Sorella Barbera

The Italian city of Alba is a sister city to Medford, Oregon, and Sorella—the Italian word for sister—honors that connection. This 100% Barbera Clone 6 was aged in 28% new French oak and delivers a bold, dark-fruited profile, laced with cherry, cherrywood, raspberry, and spiced plums. Robust, chocolaty tannins and tangy blood orange acidity carry through to the finish, giving this wine both power and vibrancy.

Red

2022

Del Rio Vineyard Estate

Estate Grown Sryah

The 2022 Del Rio Estate Syrah is bold and dark-fruited, with violet aromas and cherry-laced intensity. It shows impressive concentration, supported by a bulwark of velvety tannins that frame all that juicy fruit. Expressive and powerful, yet elegant, it finishes with tremendous length as the violet notes turn candied and are dusted with fragrant Indian spices. A long and deeply satisfying Syrah.

Red

2022

Irvine & Roberts Vineyards

Estate Chardonnay

Absolutely fantastic, this Chardonnay shows Chablis-like minerality and lemon-lime freshness with tremendous tension. Medium-bodied, it features a satiny core of apple and pear fruit layered with crushed almond, all leading to a long, saline-acid finish. Bright, fresh, and assertive—a standout. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that they work with 10 different clones of Chardonnay, most of which are planted on granitic soils. He prioritizes acidity at harvest, often doing multiple picks within the same block to build complexity and ensure he never needs to add acid. After settling overnight, the juice is racked to barrel and inoculated with native yeast in-barrel. The wine is aged for up to 15 months in one-third new French oak and goes through full malolactic fermentation. Lots are kept separate throughout aging, lees stirring is minimal, and blending occurs just before bottling. Of the three estate Chardonnays Winemaker Brian Gruber produces, Ascendance is the top cuvée and the first blend assembled—focused on precision and structure. Convergence follows, crafted for more roundness and ripeness, while the Estate Chardonnay is blended last, offering an expression that reflects the broader vineyard character.

White

2022

Irvine & Roberts Vineyards

Estate Pinot Noir

Total elegance—this Pinot Noir weaves conifer notes around bright red berry, cherry, and pomegranate fruit, accented by flinty minerality and gorgeous cedarwood. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers cherry, blood orange, and cranberry, all lifted by crunchy cranberry acidity. The tannins are fine, firm, and taut—beautifully elongated and persistent through the long, spicy finish. A superbly built and absolutely delicious Pinot Noir. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Red

2022

Irvine & Roberts Vineyards

Pinot Meunier

The nose is beautifully fragrant, with savory conifer and dried pine tips layered with incense and underbrush, interwoven with bright red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, framed by gentle tannins and lifted by vivid blood orange acidity. The long, lingering finish offers a delicate kiss of sweetness balanced by a subtle, amaro-like bitterness. Bright, vivid, and wonderfully complex. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Red

2022

Kriselle Cellars

Malbec

A blue-fruited, cherry-infused, cedarwood laced and wild herb dusted red wine with soaring tannins and white truffle charcuterire balanced by loamy earth notes, and crushed rusty red rocks mienralty through the bone dry finish. This is a zippy, zesty Malbec with good grip and demanding of salty braised meats or hard cheeses.

Red

2022

Kriselle Cellars

Sangiovese

This Sangiovese explodes out of the glass with tart cherry fruit interlaced with espresso bean and salted dark cacao. On the palate, it’s juicy and vibrant, with tart cherry framed by rustic tannins that build to a bold, dry finish. There’s plenty to love in the upfront juiciness, and with those powerful back-end tannins and soaring acid grip, you’ll want salty cheeses or cured meats alongside this expressive red.

Red

2022

Long Walk Vineyard

Grenache

A juicy, easy-drinkign Grenache that dlivers the goods as juicy red berry fruit, brown baking spices, a hint of sagebrush, and satiny tannins that bild on the dry finish.

Red

2022

Maren (Bybee Wine Co)

Octo Pinot Noir

Just like the MAREN White, the label on this OCTO Pinot Noir states that it’s a medium-bodied wine bursting with cherry, blackberry, and cocoa notes—and I’m happy to confirm my tasting aligns with that. Of course, I’ll add a few flourishes: enticing cedarwood notes weave around and beneath the cherry and blackberry fruit, joined by darker forest berries framed by firm, tense tannins. The finish offers a cool, wet-slate minerality and a crunchy apple-skin aftertaste.

Red

2022

Maren (Bybee Wine Co)

Otto Chardonnay

The nice thing about the OTTO Line is that the tasting notes are right there on the label. It’s a medium-bodied wine offering juicy pear, a squeeze of lemon zest, and crushed almonds—at least according to the front label, and I’d agree wholeheartedly, though I’d also add white flowers to the mix. There’s a touch of candied ginger and a wonderfully warm, saline mineral quality. The label also notes that the wine is made from sustainably grown grapes and contains no added sugar, which is perhaps more a nod to consumer misunderstanding—most wines are dry and don’t contain added sugar to begin with, but that’s a whole other conversation for another time.

White

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2020

Producer

Name

From owner Laura Naumes and winemaker Chris Graves comes this expressive GSM blend, which opens with the bright, candied red berry fruit of Grenache, nuanced by the white pepper and violet aromatics of Syrah. Mourvèdre brings muscle and supple dark berry fruit to the palate. This is a generous, full-bodied red with a touch of sweetness in the dark-toned fruit and plenty of joie de vivre in its juicy, expressive, and easygoing character.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

Picked at optimal ripeness—not raisined—this wine is bright and beautifully balanced, with cherry-walnut liqueur and milk chocolate notes. The mouthfeel is luscious and expressive, with vibrant acid tension and excellent length. Exceptionally balanced and delicious. Residual sugar: 9 g/L.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

Malbec is something Rogue Valley producers do exceptionally well, and in the right hands, it shows bright red and black-toned berry fruit with elegant baking spices and a stony mineral character—and this wine has that in spades. It’s not inky dark, but a beautiful deep ruby, framed by balanced tannins and acidity. The tannins are plump yet firm, and the acidity carries a saline edge with excellent grip—like a bite of crunchy sea salt on a juicy cut of beef. This is a dynamic and thoroughly satisfying Malbec from Peter William.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

From hillside vineyards, the Lot B-42 Syrah lifts out of the glass with blackberry fruit, dried rose petals, and white pepper, all enhanced by tobacco and beautifully long, rounded tannins that support the supple fruit. Fine oak adds a baking spice frame around this wonderfully juicy, dark-fruited Syrah—an elegant wine with just the right touch of hedonism.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

Sourced entirely from the hillside estate of Peter William Vineyard in the Rogue Valley — a small, hillside site planted since 2013 with roughly ten acres under vine. Grapes are destemmed, given 19 days of skin contact with daily punchdowns, then aged 20 months in 50% new French oak. The wine delivers pristine red-berry and cassis fruit, complemented by subtle tobacco overtones, cedar from the oak, warm baking spices and dusty mineral notes. A rich, velvety core gives way to a finish of perfumed rose-petal, slate-stone minerality, and a cool, refreshing lift that makes this one hard to resist.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

This Barbera comes from the Celestina Vineyard and was aged for 18 months in French oak. The nose is highly floral, with red berry fruit, tobacco, leather, and fresh cedar. On the palate, it shows richly sweet fruit, concentrated like brandied cherries, with a hint of walnut husk and blood orange acidity framing the finish. Serve slightly chilled and enjoy alongside sticky-sweet BBQ ribs.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

This single clone of Tempranillo underwent a gentle maceration and was aged 18 months in French Oak. It’s downright delicious. Great velvety texture, fine-grained tannins, loads of cherry and dried strawberry fruits, dark chocolate, fragrant and sweet-spiced oak notes, great mid-palate concentration, and a long, balanced, satisfying finish.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

Such an interesting rendition of Zinfandel, and unlikely to be re-created. The fruit was left on vine, due to fire evacuation, and winemaker Ben Grable ended up harvesting ‘raisins’, which, with careful work in the cellar, led to this 126-case production of deeply-concentrated red, with dried cherry, fig, and plum fruits, sweet brown spices, and a spicy finish. It’s a bold, full-flavored, full-bodied red at 16.7% alcohol, so I suggest enjoying a glass chilled, and marinating pulled pork in the rest. If you’re into bold-flavoured, high-octaine Zin, just keep drinking.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

This wine showcases all the hallmarks of its two expressive grape varieties, with red berry fruit and violets on the nose. On the palate, it softens into a light- to medium-bodied expression, lacking some mid-palate depth and finishing a bit short. Still, there’s plenty to enjoy in the dark-toned, juicy fruit, soft tannins, and gentle acidity. Serve well chilled alongside hearty fare for best results.

Red

2020

Producer

Name

The 2020 Syrah is intensely savory, marked by white and black pepper, leather, black olive pit and loamy earth. More raspberry and cherry fruit emerge on the palate, carried by sinewy tannins, dried violets, blood orange and an iron-scented acidity, with crisp apple-skin undertones adding lift.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Sourced from the Hyland Vineyard in Oregon. Native yeast, whole-cluster pressed, fermented, and aged sur lie in concrete. Malolactic conversion is inhibited. Aged eight months in concrete amphora, bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2021 is right in the same pocket as the 2020, super expressive of fresh Kaffir Lime, white flowers and honeysuckle with flinty mineral character, resonating on the palate. Excellent fruit weight and depth of flavors, but about as bright and tension-filled as it gets with a pH of 3.02 and TA of 8.2 g/L. 117 cases produced ($60).

White

2021

Producer

Name

Ascendance, the top cuvée, offers a lovely creamy texture balanced by exceptional length, with spicy ginger and granitic minerality shining through. Gorgeously medium-bodied, it has a satiny palate feel and beautifully layered notes of Indian spices and ginger. A refined and elegant expression of site and craft. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that they work with 10 different clones of Chardonnay, most of which are planted on granitic soils. He prioritizes acidity at harvest, often doing multiple picks within the same block to build complexity and ensure he never needs to add acid. After settling overnight, the juice is racked to barrel and inoculated with native yeast in-barrel. The wine is aged for up to 15 months in one-third new French oak and goes through full malolactic fermentation. Lots are kept separate throughout aging, lees stirring is minimal, and blending occurs just before bottling. Of the three estate Chardonnays Winemaker Brian Gruber produces, Ascendance is the top cuvée and the first blend assembled—focused on precision and structure. Convergence follows, crafted for more roundness and ripeness, while the Estate Chardonnay is blended last, offering an expression that reflects the broader vineyard character.

White

2021

Producer

Name

Cherry, pomegranate, blood orange, and grapefruit zest lead the aromatic profile, accented by clove and fresh cherry blossoms. A hint of bergamot emerges on the palate, which is more structured, with firm and robust tannins that resolve beautifully. Chalky minerality and elegant cedarwood notes frame the wine, highlighting its brilliant purity of fruit and spice. Balanced textures and fabulous energy make this a striking and vibrant expression. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that this Pinot Noir is a blend of older plantings and newer vines established in 2018. Grapes are mostly destemmed, though select lots are fermented with whole clusters for blending flexibility. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with individual blocks vinified separately. After a short cold soak, native fermentations begin, accompanied by a regimen of pumpovers and punchdowns. Following primary fermentation, an extended maceration of up to 28 days builds mouthfeel, mid-palate weight, and structure. The wine is gently pressed, with primarily free-run juice selected for the final blend. It is aged in roughly one-third new French oak for up to 18 months before blending and bottling.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Fragrant notes of honeysuckle and jasmine intermix with rich baking spices, apple tarte Tatin, pear, and a dollop of lemon oil—all finding balance on the palate. Candied ginger and a beautifully crisp, pure fruit profile are supported by crunchy acid tension and a touch more richness than the Estate bottling. Totally balanced. A vibrant and refined expression. Winemaker Brian Gruber explains that they work with 10 different clones of Chardonnay, most of which are planted on granitic soils. He prioritizes acidity at harvest, often doing multiple picks within the same block to build complexity and ensure he never needs to add acid. After settling overnight, the juice is racked to barrel and inoculated with native yeast in-barrel. The wine is aged for up to 15 months in one-third new French oak and goes through full malolactic fermentation. Lots are kept separate throughout aging, lees stirring is minimal, and blending occurs just before bottling. Of the three estate Chardonnays Winemaker Brian Gruber produces, Ascendance is the top cuvée and the first blend assembled—focused on precision and structure. Convergence follows, crafted for more roundness and ripeness, while the Estate Chardonnay is blended last, offering an expression that reflects the broader vineyard character.