Barely a week goes by when I don’t find myself saying,

“I’ve never heard about that Oregon winemaker”. 

It’s exciting to witness the growth of the Oregon wine industry,

especially since that growth has led to better…and more accessible…pinot noir.

It’s Wine Thursday!,

our weekly good-wine-at-a-good-price

that-you-can-find recommendation. 

Today’s featured wine doesn’t come from a newcomer.

Rather, it’s from of Oregon’s long-time pinot leaders.

Raptor Ridge has been producing pinot for 25 years. 

The “Barrel Select” is a blend of fruit from multiple vineyard sites

spread throughout the wine growing region.

  As noted on the label, it

“represents a tour of the Willamette Valley in a glass”. 

Living up to that claim,

the Barrel Select shows typical cool-climate pinot flavors…

black cherry and cranberry with tangy acidity. 

One note: 

I’ve seen three vintages…’16, ’17 and ’18… recently on the local store shelves.

  We found Raptor Ridge Barrel Select Pinot Noir

at Trader Joe’s for $23.99,

at QFC for $26.99,

and at New Seasons for $28.99.

Here’s a unique opportunity to hear directly from the driving force

behind the entire Raptor Ridge wine portfolio. 

On Tuesday, April 7 at 3PM,

Raptor Ridge founder and winemaker Scott Shull

will join me on a zoom conference. 

We’ll simultaneously taste, then evaluate, the Barrel Select…

Scott in wine country,

yours truly in a quiet corner (if there is such a thing) of our Portland home. 

It promises to be fun and informative. 

Please join us..and if you can…

grab a bottle of the Barrel Select and taste along with us!  

Here’s the link 

https://zoom.us/j/751708800?pwd=aXFVN0JmWlozNUgwRENFeDNaYmMvQT09  

The meeting ID:  751 798 800 

Password: 560984

Hope you can join us Tuesday afternoon!