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I continue to be dazzled by the first taste of these 2021 Pinots, yet they often are still better on the second day. Let's remember these are young wines with many years of development ahead. The old vine designation here principally includes grapes from the Winery Block (1984), the Hallelujah Block (1990) and the Lakeview Block (1998). Lush strawberry/cherry fruit is packed in with highlights of blood orange. Though there were just a handful of new barrels (under 10%), they were enough to add a thin seam of caramel to the finish. Another extraordinary value from this exceptional vintage. 1125 cases (3/4 neutral); 13.5%; $45; (Ribbon Ridge) 94/100

Lia's was originally part of the Jacob-Hart vineyard planted in 1988. This multi-clone cuvée saw two out of 16 new barrels. Many if not most of the Patty Green wines are value priced, but this is especially noteworthy. Complex, detailed, elegant, savory and tightly wound, its cascading red and black fruits are supported with bitter herbs and tangy blood orange acidity. A long finish reveals more and more details, including a trailing seam of cinnamon. A sensational value. 400 cases; 13.3%; $37 (Chehalem Mountains) 93/100. Purchase here.

The fresh, ripe, lively fruit flavors showcase pears in particular, with further highlights of orange and grapefruit. The natural acidity adds a sleek 'cut' to the palate, accented with a hint of wet stone. This wine has the extra 'it' factor that ramps up its intensity and sheer deliciousness. As I have noted in past vintages, this is a fruit-packed white wine for sipping summer and fall. Tasted over three full days, it was one of those bottles that I happily drank down to the last drop. I'd suggest that you hang onto a few bottles for that Thanksgiving turkey. 5000 cases; 13%; $17 (Willamette Valley) 93/100

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This accessible bottle of pink bubbly is light, simple and party-friendly. Made with added carbonation rather than time and labor-intensive méthode champenoise, its watermelon and strawberry fruit flavors come up front and center. This dry, tart and affordable sparkler can be enjoyed on its own, with fresh-shucked oysters, or in a light cocktail. 3800 cases; 12.5%; $25 (Willamette Valley) 90/100

https://shop.stollerwinegroup.com/product/CHY/Chemistry-Pinot-Noir-Ros--Bubbles-NV

Estate grapes (from the vineyard formerly named A Blooming Hill) bring vivacious fruit front and center, a delicious mix of satsuma oranges, pears and papaya. This is simply bursting with flavor, clean, fresh and invigorating, with accents of gin-like botanicals trailing the finish. 315 cases; 13.5%; $25 (Laurelwood District) 92/100 (Purchase here)

Jason Lett calls this Pinot Gris "a liquid manifesto." He believes the grape can equal Pinot Noir in its ability to "reflect the nuances of site, craft and vine age." During my recent visit to the winery he pressed the point with a bottle from 1983 that was still drinking beautifully. But this young PG is perfectly delicious, with a refreshing stony minerality that soaks on through the finish.. The fruits coalesce around apple, peach and citrus and linger with a power and presence that suggests this too will age for decades. 156 cases; 12.9%; $30 (Dundee Hills) 94/100

A copper/cherry color, this all-Pinot Noir wine from Iris Vineyards has a lot going for it. Hand-made and estate-grown, it's carefully tended from vineyard management on through tirage bottling, riddling, disgorging and labeling – all done by hand at the winery. The wine is elegant and aromatic, with raspberry fruit at the core. There's a fine bead and good balance. At this price it's a standout value among its Oregon peers. 180 cases; 12.1%; $34 (Willamette Valley) 91/100

Though it was a major part of the original plantings back in the 1970s, Riesling is now a minor player in the Hyland vineyard. These own-rooted vines are between 45 and 50 years old, and bring the special density and detail that simply cannot be expressed in younger fruit. Tart, fresh, sassy citrus fruit flavors are streaked with veins of wet rock. The long, lip-licking finish brings subtle hints of honeysuckle and orange liqueur. 800 cases; 12.5%; $28 (McMinnville) 94/100

Sparkling wine in a can? You bet! These fresh, tasty and ultra-convenient bubblies are roughly three quarters Willamette Valley grapes. The Bubbles blends Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling in a pleasant though generic citrusy fizz. The Rosé is almost principally Pinot Noir. Both are fresh, crisp, clean and simply delightful. Available in 4-paks of 12-ounce cans at your friendly neighborhood supermarket. 11%; $28 (for four) (Oregon) 90/100

Spicy flavors of lemon, lime and a touch of cherry bring depth and intensity, elevating this above more simple styles of rosé. It's dry and tart, persistent and refreshing. Equally delightful (though not yet listed on the website is the companion 2022 Estate Blush Pinot Noir from Cardwell Hill. Darker and sturdier as a result of whole cluster pressing, the Blush is also finished dry (not off-dry or sweet as the name might imply). It's powerfully fruity with a delicious mix of citrus and stone fruits and good concentration from start to finish. Both rosés are highly recommended. 13.7%; $25 (Willamette Valley) 91/100

https://cardwellhillwine.com/product/2022-rose-from-pinot-noir/

Day offers three delicious Vin de Days wines – Blanc, L'Orange and Rouge. The Alsatian-influenced Blanc is a blend of Riesling, Müller Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Muscat. It's co-fermented with wild yeasts, put through full malolactic and finished dry at low alcohol. The texture stand out, accenting the dryness with appealing mineral and skin flavors. The mouthfeel, length and juicy (not sour) finish are hallmarks of the winery style. The length is impressive, and keeps delivering interesting nuances as long as you keep your attention on it. 12.5%; $21 (Willamette Valley) 94/100

https://www.daywines.com/product/2022-Vin-de-Days-Blanc

Among Abacela's many pioneering achievements was the introduction of this classic Spanish white wine to the Pacific Northwest. This is a spicy, peppery, vivacious take on Albariño. It deftly stacks bright fruit flavors of apple, pear and white peach with skin flavors and crisp acids. There's also a finishing hint of salinity that spreads out through the end palate. A lovely white wine perfect for summer sipping. 1108 cases; 13.9%; $22 (Umpqua Valley) 92/100

If I were to choose a mid-priced Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to show a visitor from, say, California, how good these wines are... this is the wine I'd choose. It's forward, fruit-packed, varietally pure, palate-soaking and long. There's a fine balance of plummy fruit, balancing acids, natural vitality and sleek tannins. It's a harmonious wine, instantly enjoyable (with a screwcap for safety) yet built for a decade of cellaring. 13.2%; $35 (Laurelwood District) 92/100

This estate-grown barrel selection can be identified by its brown label. Grapes from all three estate vineyards are in the blend, crafting a well-modulated, elegant wine that is a perfect expression of the grape. Flavors mix berries and plums, a dash of chocolate and a dusting of brown spices. It's a lovely bottle and a fine leader for the whole Trisaetum 2021 lineup. 2500 cases; 13.3%; $40 (Willamette Valley) 92/100

https://www.trisaetum.com/product/2021-Trisaetum-Willamette-Valley-Pinot-Noir

Lone Birch is the low-cost brand from Airfield Estates (see more of my Airfield reviews on Substack). Lone Birch wines are well worth seeking out, especially for this estate-grown Syrah. It’s amazing that Washington Syrah this good can be found at this price. The stacked flavors are true to varietal character, true to place, and made to be enjoyed immediately while also built for longer term aging. You'd have to pay at least double to find something comparable. 1373 cases; 14.5%; $13 (Yakima Valley) 89/100

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This is a particular strength of this winery. The latest vintage is tightly focused and packed with clean and fresh grapefruit and pineapple fruit. It's juicy and well balanced, with a touch of residual sugar set against the acids. 12.9%; $25 (Columbia Valley) 90/100

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This non-vintage Syrah-based wine, made by the traditional method, is lovely to look at – a fading sunset hue. I've had few if any sparkling Syrahs, but this one avoids unnecessary tannins or earthy funk. It might easily be mistaken for a sparkling Pinot Noir, which is a good thing. The flavors dance around mixed tree fruits and citrus, and if you look hard there are hints of berry also. It's a captivating wine that delivers plenty of pleasure for the price. 4880 cases; 12%; $22 (Columbia Valley) 91/100

https://portlandiavintners.com/sparkling-rose/

This unusual rosé is sourced from 40-year-old Columbia Gorge Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a musky, dusky wine, a sunset hue, with astonishing depth and power. Perhaps the pink salts of Hawaii are the inspiration; it's bone dry and mineral-drenched wine. The strawberry and candy cherry fruit carries an appealing hint of saltiness that should prove irresistible for matchups with "take me out to the ballgame" type foods. Definitely one of the top rosés of the vintage. 12.5%; $19 (Oregon) 93/100

https://ovum-wines.obtainwine.com/product/2022-pnk-salt

The generic Washington AVA is no reflection on the quality of the wine – it's simply that the grapes were sourced from Celilo (Columbia Gorge), Conner Lee (White Bluffs) and the estate (Walla Walla). These three exceptional Chardonnay vineyards are scattered around the state and Celilo is that rare site not within the Columbia Valley AVA, hence the Washington designation. This rich, mouth-coating wine takes full advantage of all three sources, loading the palate with buttery apple fruit, toasted almonds, vanilla cream and enough acidity to keep it lively all through the finish. Just released! 1073 cases; 14.1%; $48 (Washington) 95/100

https://shop.abeja.net/product/2021-Chardonnay-Washington-State