Wine Spectator: Oregon rings up another “landmark vintage”

OWB Blog (Jan 23 2013) OWB Blog

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   Harvey Steiman’s annual review of Oregon wine (primarily the 2010 vintage) published this week and it’s another ringing endorsement of the quality of wine being produced in the nation’s third largest wine growing region. Steiman, a veteran reviewer for The Wine Spectator, lauded Oregon’s 2010 vintage, calling it another “landmark vintage.” Of the 552 wines reviewed for the article in the February 2013 issue, 250 were rated 90 points or higher – a spectacular showing for Oregon’s much awarded industry. Six of the wines ranked 95 or higher.

   While 90% of the highly rated wines were Pinot noir, Oregon’s signature grape, Steiman didn’t hesitate to heap praise on Oregon’s quickly emerging Chardonnay category as well as Pinot gris, the second most widely planted grape in the state.

   From a regional standpoint, Southern Oregon’s rapidly advancing wine growing region also received recognition from Steiman. He said producers from the south are starting to push the traditional boundaries of Oregon’s primarily Pinot noir culture. He noted that the wines from Southern Oregon “hold true to the same style that Oregon Pinot noirs have established: relatively light, lively with acidity and focused on clarity of flavor. Someday these Rogue Valley releases might even challenge Pinot noir for prominence in the state.”

   Overall, Oregon’s 2010 vintage received a score of 94. 

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