As we continue our journey through Oregon Wine Month we share the story of one of the historic Oregon wineries. Raptor Ridge was founded in 1995 and almost immediately gained national acclaim for their Pinot Noirs. Founder and former winemaker, Scott Shull, first started making terroir driven wines in1995. Originally from Missouri, Scott is a self-taught winemaker, having learned by doing, reading, and attending extension service courses on viticulture and enology offered by U.C. Davis and Oregon State University.
The current winemaker, Shannon Gustafson, is originally from Paso Robles, and formerly served as winemaker for Hawks View winery in Oregon prior to coming to Raptor Ridge. I loved her new wines from the 2019 and 2018 vintages. The 2018 Raptor Ridge ‘Gran Moraine’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) is fresh, vibrant and beautifully texture. Just as good is the 2018 Raptor Ridge ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which shows insanely good range and great terroir from this warm vintage. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at http://www.raptorridgewinery.com Here are the beautiful new releases by Raptor Ridge.
2019 Raptor Ridge ‘Vineyard Select’ Pinot Gris- Fresh and vibrant with serious tension, the 2019 Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris shows gooseberry and white peach flavors alongside kumquat rind and stony undertones on the palate. This is great stuff for a hot summer day. Drink 2021-2024- 90
2018 Raptor Ridge ‘Gran Moraine’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Gran Moraine’ Chardonnay is a beuaitufllyp textured effort sourced from this esteemed site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The palate is ripe and layered, showing good acidity and flavor density. Banana and starfruit flavors brilliantly combine with wild mushroom, Challah bread and Pink Lady apple on the palate. Juicy and rich, yet showing a really good sense of range, this beautiful 2018 Chardonnay will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2019 Raptor Ridge ‘Barrel Select’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Barrel Select’ Pinot Noir comes off a touch leaner than usual with pretty red fruits and rose water tones on the palate, with lighter orange rind undertones. Drink 2021-2025- 89
2018 Raptor Ridge ‘Tuscowallame Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Tuscowallame Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a whole-cluster fermented effort that is dense and flavorful at the three year mark. From tannins hold in place a great core of red and dark fruits with tobacco leaf and tilled soil undertones. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2018 Raptor Ridge ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this famed location in the Eola-Amity Hills, the 2018 ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir has seriously good range on the nose from cardamom and red currants to peat moss and ripe Bing cherry tones. The palate has firm tannins and bright acidity with dark cherry and orange rind flavors that collide with minerals, smoke and forest floor. Complex and delicious now this has some great aging potential. Drink 2021-2033- 93