Christopher Bridge Cellars 2018 Satori Springs Estate Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $65
An alum of Chemeketa Community College’s winemaking program, Chris Carlberg grew up on Westwind Farm south of Oregon City and began to transition a portion of his 80 acres in Satori Springs Vineyard in 1998. This estate work with Pinot Noir represents the 20th anniversary of Christopher Bridge Cellars, and it’s a delicious example of his program devoted to cool-climate varieties along the Mount Hood Wine Trail. The 100% free-run juice keeps the natural acidity higher and lowers the tannin levels. Light to medium bodied, it brings easy flavors of cherry, raspberry and vanilla that give it wide appeal and a great accompaniment to Thanksgiving or other celebrations that feature an assortment of fare. Judges at the 2021 Cascadia International Wine Competition awarded it a gold medal.