Rave Reviews

"Left Coast Cellars is making an impressive early statement with their wines, across varieties and across vintages - clearly making them a young winery to watch."
- Cole Danehower, NW Palate "Pick of the Palate"

2009
The Orchards Pinot Gris - Year's Best Pinot Gris, 90 points - "Broad and fulsome, this wine’s texture is a bit loose and juicy, but the pear flavors are irresistible. It has the phenolic stuffing to match herb-roasted chicken." Best Buy
"Fresh and vibrant, this offers juicy pear and grapefruit flavors on a smooth texture." Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator (2/2011)
"... vivacious pear flavors and just enough minerality to keep if from getting flabby. Anyone who wonders why wine folks talk about texture should sample this smooth beauty." Bill Ward, Star Tribute (7/24/2011)
 "Fresh, lively pineapple, melon, shortbread and cream flavors wash easily across the palate, leaving a splash of freesia in their wake. This dry, drinkable pinot gris will complement a variety of seafood dishes." Annette Solomon, Statesman Journal (3/2011)

Left Bank Pinot Blanc - Double Gold, Oregon Wine Awards 2011
"Quite fruity and refreshing, this fruit-forward Pinot Blanc mixes lemon drop and citrus hard candy fruits in a stylish, well-defined wine. Finishes firm with good grip." - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (Sept. 16, 2011)

2009 Rosé of Pinot Noir - Recommended, "Rosy-hued copper color. Soft aromas of cherries and spring blossoms have a gentle accent of dried basil. Quite plush and viscous in texture, the flavors of fig and cherries are broad and weighty. There is an appealing softness to the mouthfeel, though sufficient acidity adds verve on the mid-palate. Notes of strawberry and lemon/lime creep in on the tangy finish. A substantial rosé that would pair well with a platter of cold-smoked salmon and rye crackers." - Cole Danehower, Northwest Palate (July/Aug. 2011)

2008
The Orchards Pinot Gris - 90 points, "This wine immediately wows the palate, bursting into full flavor with an explosion of apple and pear fruit. There’s a light yeastiness as well, just enough to suggest a young, fresh, exuberant wine, and it simply grabs hold of your taste buds and never lets go." Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (3/2011)

Left Bank Pinot Blanc - Silver, Critics Challenge 2010
"Much like the winery's Pinot Gris, this estate-grown Pinot Blanc is built around mineral-infused fruit that is immaculately clean and vividly refreshing. Tart and Juicy, with Asian pear, green apple, and lemon-lime acidity." - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (3/2011)

Truffle Hill Chardonnay - Recommended, "Green/gold color. Wafts of buttery peach and apple fruit, with overt accents of oak and mint, are full and rich on the nose. On the palate, ripe yellow peach flavors are the core of the wine, with surrounding notes of butterscotch, lemon curd, and spearmint. Well balanced, with an acidity that brings out the citrus qualities of the fruit, and while definitely oak-influenced, it is not oak-dominated. The finish is round and fruity. Pair with poached halibut." - Cole Danehower, Northwest Palate (July/Aug. 2011)

Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir - 92 points "Lithe, supple and graceful, brimming with blueberry, currant, coffee and wet earth flavors, lingering easily on the medium-bodied, open-texture finish. Drink now through 2018. Tasted twice with consistent notes."
- Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator (Oct. 2011)

Latitude 45 Pinot Noir - 90 points, "Bright ruby.  Pungent aromas of cherry and dark berry skin, with suave floral and spice notes adding complexity. Juicy, sharply focused black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors are firmed by dusty minerals and pick up smokiness with air. Shows good tannic grip on the finish but no hard edges, closing on notes of smoke and spice. This is balanced to age." - Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jul/Aug 2011)

Right Bank Pinot Noir - 90 points, "Deep red.  Spicy redcurrant and strawberry on the nose, with sexy violet and mineral qualities adding complexity.  Musky red fruit flavors are given spine by juicy acidity and fine-grained tannins, which add shape and grip to the back end.  Gains sweetness with air, becoming broader and spicier on the long, sappy finish.  I like this wine's structure and focus." - Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jul/Aug 2011)

Truffle Hill Wadenswil Pinot Noir - "Bright ruby.  Blackberry, cherry and flowers on the nose, with smoke and cola nuances that pick up power with air." - Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jul/Aug 2011)

Suzanne's Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - 90 points, "Deep ruby.  Sexy, assertively perfumed aromas of blackberry, sassafras and rose, with slow-mounting spiciness.  Pliant, spice-accented dark berry, cola and floral pastille flavors show very good clarity and pick up sweetness with air.  Nicely balanced pinot, with strong finishing punch and spicy persistence." - Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jul/Aug 2011)

2007
The Orchards Pinot Gris - Bronze, 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
The Orchards Pinot Gris - Excellent, "...bright wine on the palate..." Wine Press NW

2006
Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir - 91 points, “A home run. Given extra bottle age, this is drinking optimally at the moment, with a spicy, brambly nose mixing blackberries, mint and chocolate-covered cherries. There’s a scent of fresh cut wood also, and a mouthful of fruit and barrel flavors that are both nicely integrated and complementary. The long finish lingers into a resonant note of black tea.” - Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (3/2011)
Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir - Gold, Critics Challenge 2009
Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir - Silver, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009

Chardonnay - Excellent, "...pineapple and lengthy citrus acidity with pith on the finish."  Wine Press NW
Chardonnay -  "...a full and satisfying experience." Cole Danehower, NW Palate        

Pinot Gris - "A delightfully vibrant, crisp and drinkable Pinot Gris..." Annette Rau Soloman, Statesman Journal

2005
Suzanne's Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - "Open-textured, refined and focused..." Wine Spectator

Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir - Silver, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition 2010
Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir - Recommended, "...a Bordeaux lover's Pinot Noir" WinePress NW  

Latitude 45 Pinot Noir - "...a full bodied, flavorful Pinot Noir..." Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (11/2008)

Chardonnay - Silver, Critic's Challenge 2007
Chardonnay - "...approaches the Holy Grail of harmony between old and new world styles." The Wine Guild of Charollettesville.

Pinot Gris - "Fresh and leesy..." Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (2/2008)

2004
Suzanne's Estate Reserve Pinot Noir - 90 points, "...A supple, refined pinot..." Beverage Tasting Institute

Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir - Gold, Critic's Challenge 2007
"...shows some real muscle." Paul Gregutt, Wine Enthusiast (2/2008)
"...you'll find plenty of texture and minerality", Seattle Times article, "Oregon Wine Doing Pinot Right"