'Oregon's 2021 vintage is one of the best that I've had the privilege of tasting', says Sam. Here's why, and a slew of examples to seek out. Above, fog over Et Fille's Fairsing Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton.
When I took up the post of Pacific Northwest correspondent in the first months of 2022, it was with trepidation. 2020, the worst vintage for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir in living memory, was on the market. The idea of having to review smoke-tainted wine haunted me. Who was I to critique producers who faced one of the worst natural disasters in their...