2022 Big Table Farm Syrah Funk Estate Vineyard The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
Wildly coincidental, but the 'funk' in upper-case Funk is actually the vineyard owner's real name. That said, Rocks fruit often/usually offers quite a bit of lower-case funk. BTF's version isn't as funky as many including Mr. Funk's own version, but still clean, pretty and unabashedly new world in style while still offering some old world elements--think blueberry pancakes with bacon. Not what I love-love about syrah, but still pretty delicious.
2023 Big Table Farm Chardonnay AVA Series, Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley
A best barrel selection that sees only 10% new oak. Deeply layered with an echoing finish. Outstanding. $48.
2023 Big Table Farm Chardonnay The Wild Bee Willamette Valley
Bright, crisp, perfect balance of acid and fruit. Nice at $34
2024 Big Table Farm Laughing Pig Rosé Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Tasting room pour. Whole cluster fermentation adds body to this hefty, mildly overripe (for my tastes) rose that drinks like liquid strawberry rhubarb pie. Sweet on entry but dry on the finish, which lingers. $36
2023 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Bonnie Jean Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton
Ken sold this vineyard to the people who own the ultra high-end pinot winery called Abbott Claim, also located in Carlton, and has an exclusive contract to buy back fruit for years to come. Tasting room pour had terrific floral qualities as well as mushrooms, pie spices, earth, incense, and deep red fruits. Utterly beguiling.
2023 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Canary Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley
Very classic OR pinot profile. Sweet dark fruit balanced by loamy, Asian notes. Only 12.5% alcohol.
2023 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Latchkey Vineyard Dundee Hills
The Latchkey vineyard contains eight different Dijon clones and this wine leans into the Pommard style of bold fruit and grippy tannins. The spice is nice but it's a bit taut for current drinking. Check back in ten years.
2024 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Rosé Canary Hill Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills
An exceptional nuanced and balanced Pinot Noir rose. I'm kicking myself for not bringing any home--it was one of my favorites on this trip.
2023 Failla Pinot Noir Wyatt Tualatin Hills
A best barrel selection of the '23 harvest, but it was heavy with grippy tannins and pyrazines (in Oregon? Really?). The estate pinot also being poured was better but I didn't take any notes on it.
2024 Failla Rosé Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
A pinot saignee loaded with charm.
2024 Failla Chenin Blanc Patton Valley Vineyard Willamette Valley
From only two rows of Chenin, a grape rare in Oregon (shouldn't be), this shows dry honey tones with a lightly waxy texture. Excellent and will reward more aging. $28 at the winery.
2024 Failla Gamay Patton Valley Vineyard Willamette Valley
Just released and very tight, whole cluster fermentation helps balance the Bazooka essence of carb mac which I typically detest. Didn't hate this one.
2023 Failla Chardonnay Pearlstad Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills
My favorite at Failla and purchased three bottles to bring home. A week or so after later, I pulled from the cellar to enjoy demure, clean, graceful, neutral-oak, cool-climate 13.0% alcohol chardonnay after dumping out a hot mess from California. It's dazzling.