One of the great pleasures of doing this website is the opportunity to see more deeply into any one region's wines. Sometimes it's the small, off-the-radar producers who are doing some of the most interesting, cutting edge work. I can count on one hand the number of Oregon Carignans I've ever had, so this is an especially fun discovery. Aromatic, ruby red, replete with scents of marionberry pie, this is a mouthfilling wine that absolutely charms from start to finish. It's pure varietal from organically grown fruit, nicely balanced with sassy acids, ripe tannins and moderate alcohol. 71 cases; 13.6%; $38 (Rogue Valley)

https://www.longwalkvineyard.com/wines

I've been banging the drum for Oregon Chardonnay for years and each successive vintage just proves the point. Ruby's latest release delights from the first sniff. Succulent flavors of mixed citrus are lively and refreshing, with appealing minerality. The wine is focused and deep, with lingering impact for a full minute or more. There's very little evidence of new oak, but with fruit this good it's not missed. 446 cases; 13%; $40 (Laurelwood District)

https://rubyvineyard.orderport.net/product-details/0382/2018-Chardonnay

The RMS cuvée brings exceptional ripe fruit to bear in a classy sparkling wine done in the classic Champagne method. It's 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay with deep and delicious flavors that combine apple pie, pear tart, minerally acids and nuances too subtle to name. The depth, penetration and all out length will have you refilling your glass before you have finished swallowing the first sip.

200 cases; 12.5%; $65 (Willamette Valley)

https://shop.rocowinery.com/product/2018-RMS-Brut

This low-alcohol Viognier is vibrant with a lovely mix of green melon, apple, cilantro and lemon verbena. The botanicals highlight the fruit, and the balancing acids keep it fresh and lively. From a flavor standpoint it falls somewhere between an all-stainless Chardonnay and an un-grassy Sauvignon Blanc. However you define it, it's a delicious bottle with plenty of food-friendly flexibility.

277 cases; 12.6%; $25 (Applegate Valley)

https://quadynorth.orderport.net/product-details/0671/2020-Viognier-SteelOx-750ml-126pct