Tom Casagrande

9.2

Popped and poured. No sediment. Nose reticent at first. With air, lovely scent of bright, spiced cherry, graham cracker, turned earth, and saline-scented crushed rock. Youthful and intense in the mouth, with a vigorous salinity accompanying the bright fruit. Turns very savory on the second half of the palate. Still some youthful but soft tannin. Very good acidity and length. Really fine. Will age. 9.2 for now but could go up. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Winderlea Vineyard & Winery – Chardonnay 2018
Willamette Valley, Oregon – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
This isn’t just any Willamette Chardonnay — it’s a benchmark. Crafted from a mosaic of top vineyards: Carabella (35%) in Chehalem Mountains, Hyland (33%) & Meredith Mitchell (23%) in McMinnville, and Winderlea Estate (9%) in Dundee Hills. Together, they deliver harmony and terroir depth that rivals fine Burgundy, while staying true to Oregon character.

Aromas & Flavors
Rich layers of peach, apricot, and crisp apple glide seamlessly into notes of citrus zest and a subtle kiss of toasted oak. The aromatic lift is both elegant and generous, hinting at orchard blossoms with a faint mineral streak.

Mouthfeel
Succulent and textured, yet framed with precision. Bright acidity keeps it vibrant, while a creamy mid-palate offers weight and length. Still radiant in 2018, showing both freshness and polish.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented and aged in French oak barrels with a Burgundian sensibility, highlighting texture over heaviness. A balance of fruit purity and oak finesse.

Food Pairing
Perfect with butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken with herbs, or creamy risotto with chanterelles. Its lively acidity also makes it a stellar partner for soft cheeses.

Verdict
A standout Chardonnay from Oregon, balancing Burgundian elegance with Willamette soul. Priced above regional peers, but every sip justifies it. Truly one of the finest examples of Oregon Chardonnay in recent years. Cheers! — 10 months ago

Doggfather

9.0

Keep it in the cellar a little longer than me and then you’ll have something special — 5 years ago

Doggfather

9.2

Really nice. It’s a newer world meets old world Pinot. — 5 years ago

Doggfather

9.2

Restrained and subtle. Great way to start a dinner party — 7 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Cherry, raspberry, currant, dried sage and oak. Great structure and moderate tannins. — 7 years ago

Kim Wagner

9.8

So delicate and balanced- everything Oregon pinots hope to be. Fruit forward, velvet mouthfeel and deeper than a cooler vintage — 9 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Winderlea – Pinot Noir – 2021
Dundee Hills AVA – Willamette Valley, Oregon 🇺🇸

Overview
An elegant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills, sourced from vineyards planted in the 1970s on the region’s hallmark volcanic Jory soils. Known for finesse and purity, Winderlea delivers a beautifully balanced expression of Pinot that showcases the red-fruited, spice-laced personality that defines classic Dundee Hills.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, wild raspberry, and cranberry purity, supported by notes of rose petal, subtle baking spice, and a whisper of forest floor. Nothing jammy, everything is lifted, clean, and precise.

Mouthfeel
Ultra-silky tannins with a soft, seamless texture. High, clean acidity keeps the wine energetic, refreshing, and food-loving. The finish is long, elegant, and gently spiced.

Food Pairings
The ultimate fondue Pinot: the wine’s acidity cuts through melted cheese, while its soft tannins and red-fruit delicacy elevate Gruyère, Emmental, raclette, or alpine-style cheeses. Also wonderful with mushroom dishes, roasted poultry, charcuterie boards, or herbed salmon.

Verdict
A benchmark Dundee Hills Pinot, refined, understated, and deeply expressive. Its purity of fruit, silky frame, and signature volcanic spice make it one of the most fondue-friendly reds in the game. A true pleasure to drink.

Did You Know?
Dundee Hills’ iconic red Jory soils, ancient volcanic ash, are famous for imprinting Pinot with subtle cinnamon-clove spice and a natural roundness. Many of Oregon’s pioneering vineyards were planted here in the 1970s specifically for these qualities.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: My go-to Pinot Noir for fondue night, nothing pairs better with alpine cheese than Dundee Hills elegance. — 7 months ago

Gareth Kitching

9.0

The last time I enjoyed something this luscious and pink my missus had her legs spread and offering her spam butterfly like an all you can eat Travelodge breakfast buffet. Delectable. — 3 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, pithy lemon, toasted brioche and hints of stone fruit. Great acidity and balance. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Clear bright ruby. Inviting nose of black cherry tea. Medium palate of the same with subtle hints of vanilla and anise. Sounds more simple than it is. Low tannins that mildly assert towards the finish. That plus the medium acidity makes for an outstanding dinner wine that will support a wide range of light to medium-hearty fare. Drink now through 2026. — 6 years ago

with Jay

Doggfather

9.0

Nice weekday wine — 7 years ago

Vic Petroff

9.0

Beautiful medium garnet, smooth, balanced. Elegant with backbone. Long finish. Pretty wine in a nice place. — 8 years ago

Andrew Formi

9.2

Perfect Pinot I hope it logged in correctly — 7 months ago

Tegan Marriott

9.2

Aged to perfection. The 2011 vintage got a lot of slack from the critics but I think this is a really beautiful noir drop tonight! 😍 Sous bois, raspberry coulis, it's got the requisite tannins but not amplified. — 8 months ago

Rick Billups

9.0

Really very good. Jammy. Bright pop especially with light foods. — 4 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Cherry, raspberry, cranberry, currant, loamy earth and oak. Light-bodied and soft tannins. — 5 years ago

Gabe Ayers

9.0

Extremely smooth and good — 7 years ago

Katherine Maund

9.2

Light and earthy, superb after breathing. I paired it with good conversation and that made it delicious. — 7 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.2

This is my second wine in our tasting tonight. Mauritson Zinfandel 2013. As a typical Zin delivers, there is a spicy pepper beginning followed by a short dry finish. There are hints of raspberry and green apple. However, it is sweeter than the Winderlea pinot which makes no sense to me. Nevertheless, I love this Zin. Not as good as my new favorite Zin: Artezin. I discovered this today. Look for my review coming up after these three . This is a great Zin. I highly recommend it! Look for my other two reds in tonight's tasting: Winderlea pinot and Charles Krug cab! — 9 years ago