CELLAR SELECTS

Rosé the Riveting

Spell-binding blush and white blends, too

Left Coast 2016 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

A wine sure to please. Pale pink in color and scented with shortbread and peaches, the wine bursts with flavor of tangerine, peach and tangy-sweet kiwi with a tart pink grapefruit finish that had the whole table talking and tasting again. $22; 700 cases

Iris Vineyards 2016 Chalice Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Oregon 

The intense strawberry pink color belies the ripe fruitiness to come. Juicy maraschino cherry and strawberry on the nose are joined with a hint of pomegranate on the palate. A crisp, zingy wine that ends with a kiss of citrus pith. $20; 341 cases

Blakeslee 2016 Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains

Ballet slipper pink with a shy floral nose, this wine embodies the simple pleasures of a summer day. Lively acid, a mix of strawberry and blueberry flavors, and juicy lime finish, all delivered in a light airy style. $32; 250 cases

Duck Pond 2016 Fries Family Cellars Hylo Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

Warm aromas from a Sunday morning offer berries, a wisp of cinnamon and a hint of roasted coffee. Fruity but dry, this rosy pink selection shows flavors of berry pie and strawberry balanced with a hint of roasted coffee and a dry cranberry finish. $20; 163 cases

Firesteed 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 

Pinky pink and straight-up strawberry on the nose and palate. Add some tart cranberry flavors, medium body, soft texture and tea leaf on the finish and you have a lovely little reason to sit on the porch and sip until sunset. $15; 1,381 cases

David Hill 2016 Estate Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley

Carnation pink with aromas of peach, strawberry and crusty French baguette. Juicy peach on the palate gets a zing of lemon zest. Texturally pleasing, the wine’s soft tannins create a lingering dusty finish with a savory smidgen of oregano at the end. $20; 310 cases

Lange Estate 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills

Aromas burst from the ruby slipper-red rosé with cherry, rose water, raspberry, strawberry and Marionberry muddled with mint, flower petals and stone fruit. The palate delivers a viscous mouthfeel, a light yet pleasing taste of cherry soda, plus an intriguing savory quality that will have you taking another sip … after enjoying its lengthy finish. $25; 500 cases

Dobbes Family Estate 2016 Quailhurst Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains

Pretty inside and out, the rosy pink wine smells of rose petals and strawberries. Fruit and flowers continue on the palate with flavors of strawberry, cherry, nectarine and a hint of jasmine. The refreshing summer selection ends with a splash of kiwi-lime. $24; 400 cases

Ghost Hill Cellars 2016 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard The Spirit of Pinot Noir Rosé, Yamhill Carlton

The color of rose quartz, this spirited rosé diffuses aromas of cherry, lemongrass and a suggestion of fresh herbs. Balanced and integrated with an interesting mix of nuttiness, hibiscus, tangy cherry, woody flavors and a grilled peach conclusion. $20; 142 cases

Rain Dance 2016 Nicholas Vineyard Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains

Light mango in color with a mix of fruit and spices on the nose: Mandarin orange, lime, cherry, blueberry, marzipan, toasted coriander and a pinch of white pepper. Green, bright and spicy on the palate with lime, ginger, white pepper and cilantro on the finish. $22; 81 cases

Abacela 2016 Grenache Rosé, Umpqua Valley

While a pale pink, there’s nothing subtle about this wine. Concentrated notes of apricot, peach, lime and grassiness make up its aroma. Stone fruit continues on the palate joined by the juiciness of kiwi, yellow plum and nectarine. Its sweet and sour fruitiness will have you requesting more. $18; 656 cases

Del Rio Vineyard 2016 Estate Grenache Rosé, Rogue Valley

Onion-skin pink with aromas of early spring: a fresh meadow filled with sweet, dewy grass and wildflowers. The palate evolves with each sip, showing flavors of honeydew, watermelon and white peach tea. $17; 1,150 cases

Whitetail Ridge Vineyard 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley

Its rosy red color portends the wine’s fruity, floral nose of fresh watermelon, cantaloupe and strawberry mixed with violet and rose. The palate is mostly berry — think sun-warmed blackberries picked right off the vine — with a touch of cranberry and red currant. A fun-in-the-sun — or on the porch — wine. $18; 56 cases

Abiqua Wind 2015 Sophia Grace Rosé of Muscat, Willamette Valley

The “you had me at hello” wine — yes, we went there. So aromatic with gardenia, juicy peach, jasmine, lime blossom and apricot that one whiff will have you wanting to get to know it better. Take a sip and savor the flavors of peach, pear, Honey Crisp apple and Mandarin orange with just the right acidity to keep it fresh on the tongue. $15; 58 cases

Maryhill 2016 Rosé of Sangiovese, Columbia Valley

Here’s your “It’s happy hour somewhere” wine. The “pretty in pink” crowd pleaser starts with an aroma of stone fruit tinged with raspberry, spicy floral notes of rose tea and lavender, plus fresh linen and honeysuckle. A honey-textured palate of peach, rose and fresh grass delights along with a terrific balance of fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness. $16; 5,607 cases

Season Cellars 2015 Transparency White, Southern Oregon

A blend of sweet grass, fresh pine and apricot lead the nose; apricot continues on the palate with an undercurrent of tart apple stretching through to the finish. A bit of effervescence dances on the tongue, adding further interest to the perfect balance of sweet and fresh acidity. (Müller-Thurgau, Muscat, Riesling). $18; 262 cases

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Matrix White, Umpqua Valley

Five varietals combine to create this satisfying sipper scented with sweet, juicy melon, fresh green grass and pretty floral notes. Yet, the real standout is the superb texture lightly coating the mouth with flavors of honey and juicy pear. Pleasingly off-dry with a long, lingering grapefruit finish. $24; 230 cases

Jezebel 2016 White Wine, Oregon

Green notes drive this white blend. Lemon-lime, sweet herbs, pear, honeysuckle, honeydew melon and white lilac create a pronounced nose. Honeydew repeats on the palate alongside apple, pear and candied lime zest. A touch off-dry with a tang of citrus and a clean finish. $15; 687 cases

ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS: Led by a wine industry expert, the OWP tasting panel selects wines based on overall quality and value within their respective categories. Wine must be: 1) produced by an Oregon winery; 2) currently available to consumers. Recommended wines were selected using a double-blind method and a 20-point ranking system for appearance, aroma, taste, balance and finish.

 

Web Design and Web Development by Buildable