This vibrant Pinot Blanc from Dave Paige comes with a fascinating, “came over in the lining of my coat” origin story about the unusual clone he has in his vineyard. From a 1930s mutation in Burgundy’s Domaine Henri Gouges, this so-called Pinot Gouges clone made its way to the Willamette Valley, and has since been tasted, recognized, and confirmed by a current member of the Gouges family.
Read MoreDavid Paige 2018 RPG Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ore., $79. A smooth, well-balanced pinot with lots of earthiness. Nice cherry, spice and earth through the long finish. Very good.
Read MoreFor 17 years, David Paige was the winemaker at Adelsheim, one of Oregon's founding wineries. In 2018, he left to launch his own label: David Paige Wines. The winery focusses on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc and recently purchased their own RPG Vineyard on the east side of the Eola-Amity Hills. I spoke with Paige about his history in the wine world, lessons from his time at Adelsheim and the vision for his latest project.
Read More($29): The cooler Oregon climate likely explains why most Chardonnays from there are typically more understated than most California renditions of Chardonnay. Finesse-filled and restrained, but certainly not lacking a presence, the 2018 David Paige Chardonnay fits that profile. A real plus is its below-$30 price tag, unusual for a Chardonnay of this stature. Delicate, yet persistent, it’s a wine that keeps you engaged because it’s not tiring to drink. Initial floral notes become more apparent as it opens in the glass while hints of citrus in the finish amplify its charms.
93 Michael Apstein
In early 2020, David Patte of Sun Break Wine & Cider and David Paige of David Paige Wines were a couple of winemakers — no business or other relation to each other — in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills wine country in the southern Willamette Valley. Besides having coincidentally similar names, the two Davids were both planning to introduce brand-spanking-new wine brands this year.
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